Server virtualization is a valuable technology, and in wide use. It simplifies management and operations and can dramatically improve application availability. But how can you protect all those mission-critical virtual machines? This InformationWeek Tech Center is your one-stop resource for in-depth information on protecting all facets of your virtualized infrastructure.
Commentary/How-To's
What Is Software-Defined Storage?Is it really a new product or simply a reframing of existing storage technology? Actually, it's a little bit of both. Big Backup Challenge Of Medium-Size Data Centers
Heavy on virtualization, but stuck with a legacy backup solution? Here's how to choose a virtualization-friendly backup app. Managing The Multi-Vendor Backup
Backup management applications go a step beyond monitoring, but they remain limited. It's time to develop a framework-driven approach. Virtualization And The Case For Universal Grid Architectures
Today, virtualization can make one system act like 10, but making 10 physical boxes look and act like one is far more valuable. And that is where... Storage That Only Looks Like A SAN
It isn't a perfect approach, but you can skip the SAN and still bring the advantages of local storage to a virtualized environment. How To Share Local Storage
Local storage can now provide capabilities like virtual machine migration and distributed resource management.
News
Red Hat Speeds Up Open Source Virtualization RaceKVM-based Enterprise Virtualization 3.1 enables extra-large virtual machines and better live migration across more storage systems than before. Twinstrata Unveils Cloud Storage Platform
CloudArray 4.0 adds network attached storage (NAS) capability, new appliances and support for additional cloud service providers. How To Choose Best SSD For Midsize Data Centers
Solid-state disk storage effectively boosts performance in nearly any size data center, but midsize data centers have particular affordability...
More Stories:
By The Numbers
Majority Buying Into Virtualized Storage
Just 18% aren’t on board, and there’s still opportunity for vendors to influence the 34% in assessment mode.
Virtual Infrastructure Reports
Informed CIO: VDI Snake Oil Check
You won't lose your shirt on a desktop virtualization initiative, but don't expect it to be simple to build or free of complications. This report examines the three biggest problems when developing a business case for VDI: storage costs, ongoing licensing, and the wisdom of prolonging the investment in PC infrastructure.
Fundamentals: Next-Generation VM Security
Server virtualization creates new security threats while turning the hypervisor into a network black hole, hiding traffic from traditional hardware defenses -- problems a new breed of virtualization-aware security software tackles head-on.
Delegation Delivers Virtualization Savings
IT can't-and shouldn't-maintain absolute control over highly virtualized infrastructures. Instituting a smart role-based control strategy to decentralize management can empower business units to prioritize their own data assets while freeing IT to focus on the next big project.
The Zen of Virtual Maintenance
Server virtualization has many advantages, but it can also lead to chaos. Many organizations have unused or test VMs running on production systems that consume memory, disk and power. This means critical resources may not be available in an emergency: say, when VMs on a failed machine try to move to another server. This can contribute to unplanned downtime and raise maintenance costs. Easy deployment also means business units may come knocking with more demands for applications and services. This report offers five steps to help IT get a handle on their virtual infrastructure.
Pervasive Virtualization: Time to Expand the Paradigm
Extending core virtualization concepts to storage, networking, I/O and application delivery is changing the face of the modern data center. In this Fundamentals report, we'll discuss all these areas in the context of four main precepts of virtualization.
Virtually Protected: Key Steps To Safeguarding Your VM Disk Files
We provide best practices for backing up VM disk files and building a resilient infrastructure that can tolerate hardware and software failures. After all, what's the point of constructing a virtualized infrastructure without a plan to keep systems up and running in case of a glitch--or outright disaster.