Service provider takeaway: Service providers can approach Linux server virtualization projects knowing that the technology is just as feasible as virtualization on closed source systems, but Linux virtualization carries the added complexity of differing implementations.
Without a doubt, the hottest buzzword in IT today is virtualization. In fact, it's getting hard to have a technology conversation that doesn't include the word. And while server virtualization on proprietary operating systems has clearly taken hold of the data center, Linux virtualization is just as viable. But what are the pros and cons of Linux-based server virtualization for your customers?
Whether in a closed source or open source environment, virtualization enables multiple logical environments to run within a physical server by allowing physical resources to appear as multiple logical resources. In the Linux world, that server could be either a $600 PC server running Xen using the Fedora 8 distribution or a $2 million IBM System p595 running PowerVM Lx86 (formerly called System p AVE) on a Linux on Power (LoP) partition using Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Unfortunately, virtually (pardon the pun) every Linux distribution has its own implementation method, which adds to the confusion around the real value of Linux virtualization and whether or not it's appropriate for your customer's environment. To cut through the confusion, we lay out the pros and cons of Linux server virtualization.
Pros
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Cons
Are there any reasons why your customers should not implement Linux virtualization? Absolutely!
With all these factors in play, how do you know if and when to recommend virtualization to your customers? First and foremost, you must take the time to properly understand what's most important to your customer, whether it's cost, performance, reliability or security. The importance a company places on these factors can change from year to year or even quarter to quarter. If the company has just been hacked, you can bet that security will be the most important factor. Does that mean there is no possibility of selling them virtualization solutions? Absolutely not. It just means that you need to explain how security issues will be addressed. Is the company going through a cost-cutting period? If so, you'll need to show them how the strategic use of virtualization can help them reduce TCO.
After management has approved in concept the server virtualization strategy, you can then talk about specific technology recommendations. Just understand that the implementation of a Linux virtualization strategy is less about the technology and more about the value that virtualization provides to the business. By showing them the value, you'll get that business!
About the author
Ken Milberg heads a consulting firm, Unix-Linux Solutions. He has over 20 years of experience with Unix and Linux systems, as well as broad technical and functional experience with AIX, HP, SCO and Solaris.
