Expert opinion: Virtualization server hardware uses, pros and cons
Most companies will run virtual machines on a mixture of server hardware types, but figuring out what app to run on each platform can be challenging, according to open source consultant and author Bernard Golden, a presenter at the Red Hat Summit, happening right now in San Diego.
After sharing his opinions on the pros and cons of the three main styles of server virtualization, Golden sounded off on the most-commonly-used hardware platforms for server virtualization. Here’s a summary of his analysis:
Server type: x86 32-bit
Example: Dell PowerEdge
Applications: Client virtualization; test and development environment
Pros: Widely available; inexpensive; IT skills widely available
Cons: Memory limitation; poor virtualization scalability
Golden says: “Repurposed machines save money in the short term, but they don’t scale very well. You need more robust memory, in particular.”
Server type: x86 64-bit
Example: HP BladeSystem
Applications: Client virtualization; midrange-to-large server virtualization
Pros: Powerful; similar skills to x86 32-bit; larger memory possible
Cons: May be limited in scalability depending upon machine design
Golden says: “64-bit blades are very powerful and offer high density, but they do pose power and cooling challenges.”
Server type: x86 64-bit specialized hardware
Examples: Sun SunFire; IBM System X
Applications: Large server virtualization deployments
Pros: Designed for high-performance scalability; large memory support
Cons: New hardware type for operations personnel; can be costly
Golden says: “This class of server offers the optimal virtualization platform for large-scale virtualization deployments, but their prices may be prohibitive for most organizations. You also have to figure in the cost of training your IT staff into the equation.”
Got questions about servers for virtualization? Disagree with Bernard’s assessments or have something to add? Bernard is a resident expert on SearchServerVirtualization.com and is available to respond to you. Please comment below or write to me at jstafford@techtarget.com.
Posted: May 10th, 2007 under Servers, Blade servers.
There’s sort of a another tier in there, between the 32-bit recycled hosts and the 64-bit blade farm: 64-bit hosts from most vendors, such as Dell.
This space has turned out to be an excellent fit for the K-12 that I consult for, we can’t afford VMware ESX, so we’re spending the cash on new hardware and hoping that VMware server on linux hosts keeps up with our needs.
Comment by Hoosier — May 11, 2007 @ 9:14 am
[…] Server virtualization: Three top methods, plus pros and cons Posted by David Marshall on Sunday, May 13, 2007 9:52 AM Quoting the blog from SearchServerVirtualization Currently, there are three main styles of server virtualization, and each has its benefits and drawbacks, according to open source consultant and author Bernard Golden, a presenter at the Red Hat Summit, happening right now in San Diego. His lowdown on the three ways to virtualize provides a handy guide to the options today. Following his list, I offer some links to definitions, how-tos, tips and news about each method. By the way, besides being a resident expert on SearchServerVirtualization.com and SearchEnterpriseLinux.com Golden is president of Navica Inc., an open source consulting firm, and author of the new book, “Virtualization for Dummies”. Check out his views on server hardware for virtualization in this post. Here are the top three ways to virtualize: Virtualization style: Operating system (OS) “container” emulationExamples: Solaris Containers; SWsoftPros: Efficient; does not require additional softwareCons: Isolation; dependent upon OS; limits version choice within guest OS types Virtualization style: Hardware emulationExamples: VMware Server; Microsoft Virtual ServerPros: Relatively easy to install and use; true isolation of OS instancesCons: Less efficient than paravirtualization Virtualization style: ParavirtualizationExamples: Xen, VMware ESX, Microsoft Longhorn virtualizationPros: High herformance; true Isolation of OS instancesCons: Extra software layer; complex to install and administer Read the original to find out more and get information on other articles to help with this subject, here. Posted by David Marshall on Sunday, May 13, 2007 9:52 AM Filed under Server Virtualization […]
Pingback by VMblog.com - Virtualization Information : Server virtualization: Three top methods, plus pros and cons — May 13, 2007 @ 9:54 am
Why lump x86 64bit servers into the blade catagory. EVERY x86 server on the market today is 64bit.
Comment by Howard Marks — May 14, 2007 @ 10:10 am