Chapter 2. Why Use Virtualization?
Virtualization can be useful both for server deployments and individual desktop stations. Desktop virtualization offers cost-efficient centralized management and better disaster recovery. In addition, by using connection tools such as ssh, it is possible to connect to a desktop remotely.
When used for servers, virtualization can benefit not only larger networks, but also deployments with more than a single server. Virtualization provides live migration, high availability, fault tolerance, and streamlined backups.
2.1. Virtualization Costs
Virtualization can be expensive to introduce, but it often saves money in the long term. Consider the following benefits:
- Less power
- Using virtualization negates much of the need for multiple physical platforms. This equates to less power being drawn for machine operation and cooling, resulting in reduced energy costs. The initial cost of purchasing multiple physical platforms, combined with the machines' power consumption and required cooling, is drastically cut by using virtualization.
- Less maintenance
- Provided that adequate planning is performed before migrating physical systems to virtualized ones, less time is needed to maintain them. This means less money needs to be spent on parts and labor.
- Extended life for installed software
- Older versions of software may not be able to run directly on more recent bare-metal machines. By running older software virtually on a larger, faster system, the life of the software may be extended while taking advantage of better performance from a newer system.
- Predictable costs
- A Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription provides support for virtualization at a fixed rate, making it easy to predict costs.
- Less space
- Consolidating servers onto fewer machines means less physical space is required for computer systems.
