Wrapping your mind around data center virtualization can be as tough as it sounds. Especially when the elements driving virtualization technology can be very diverse.
Virtualization technology was first introduced to IT and data centers when virtual machines (VMs) entered the market. While traditional hardware was growing in power, a steady growth of computing power resulted in more wasted power in traditional multi-programming operating systems.
One reason for the waste was due to applications needing to be isolated from other apps for better performance or security concerns. VMs offered an abstraction of hardware which looked like a server and was managed like a server but lived with other VMs on the same physical device.
Containers have also increased in popularity because they use fewer server resources than VMs and allow more applications to be packed into a data center. From mid-size to large companies, every data center will likely become fully virtualized by using one or both technologies.
Virtual networks come in two main categories. The first is the integrated virtual network model where the network devices, such as the switches to create the data center LANs, create and sustain the virtualization. This approach is known as the VLAN, or now the extended-address-space VLAN called XVLAN. While these are native to Ethernet, they need all switching devices in a data center to support them and are limited by traditional Ethernet LAN features.
The second virtual data center network model is from Nicira which was later bought by VMware. This approach is to build an overlay virtual network (OVN) by adding tunnels atop current network protocols. Overlay-modeled virtualization is becoming increasingly popular due to the many advantages it offers.
OVN model benefits allow you to:
Most current data center technologies unite server and network virtualization. A limited form of virtual networking to steer traffic between containers or VMS is helped by cloud stacks (like OpenStack) and container tools (like Docker). VM and container systems are often expanded using DevOps tools offering more virtual-support features.
DevOps tools are reaching popularity thanks to data center virtualization technology. Operations automation for virtual data centers is essential due to virtualization increasing management issues. Running and connecting hosts in a single server with six VMs and up to 24 containers could prove challenging when multiplied byeven more.
With time, data center virtualization and cloud computing will change applications. We’ve seen this already with Twitter’s use of functional programming. With cloud providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft leading the charge for innovation, virtualization capabilities will one day be a requirement for future applications. While it may take time to mature, it will eventually happen.
Interested in accomplishing more with fewer resources? At Advanced Systems Group, we help you select the right technology for your business and budget. Contact us today to learn more.
Virtualization technology was first introduced to IT and data centers when virtual machines (VMs) entered the market. While traditional hardware was growing in power, a steady growth of computing power resulted in more wasted power in traditional multi-programming operating systems.
One reason for the waste was due to applications needing to be isolated from other apps for better performance or security concerns. VMs offered an abstraction of hardware which looked like a server and was managed like a server but lived with other VMs on the same physical device.
Containers have also increased in popularity because they use fewer server resources than VMs and allow more applications to be packed into a data center. From mid-size to large companies, every data center will likely become fully virtualized by using one or both technologies.
Two Virtual Network Categories
Virtual networks come in two main categories. The first is the integrated virtual network model where the network devices, such as the switches to create the data center LANs, create and sustain the virtualization. This approach is known as the VLAN, or now the extended-address-space VLAN called XVLAN. While these are native to Ethernet, they need all switching devices in a data center to support them and are limited by traditional Ethernet LAN features.
The second virtual data center network model is from Nicira which was later bought by VMware. This approach is to build an overlay virtual network (OVN) by adding tunnels atop current network protocols. Overlay-modeled virtualization is becoming increasingly popular due to the many advantages it offers.
OVN model benefits allow you to:
- Use any lower-level switching technology or vendor of any mixture. If you can carry traffic between devices, you can carry OVNs to the VMs or containers on those devices.
- Create and manage OVNs without giving applications or users access to features of the real network devices. This keeps users from being able to change network behavior for applications or other users.
- Prioritize traffic or add encryption within an OVN while not involving anyone else.
Essential Operations Automation
Most current data center technologies unite server and network virtualization. A limited form of virtual networking to steer traffic between containers or VMS is helped by cloud stacks (like OpenStack) and container tools (like Docker). VM and container systems are often expanded using DevOps tools offering more virtual-support features.
DevOps tools are reaching popularity thanks to data center virtualization technology. Operations automation for virtual data centers is essential due to virtualization increasing management issues. Running and connecting hosts in a single server with six VMs and up to 24 containers could prove challenging when multiplied byeven more.
With time, data center virtualization and cloud computing will change applications. We’ve seen this already with Twitter’s use of functional programming. With cloud providers like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft leading the charge for innovation, virtualization capabilities will one day be a requirement for future applications. While it may take time to mature, it will eventually happen.
Interested in accomplishing more with fewer resources? At Advanced Systems Group, we help you select the right technology for your business and budget. Contact us today to learn more.
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