Key Benefits of VMware Solutions for Server Consolidation
Combat Server Sprawl & Over-Provisioning
The traditional “one workload, one box” approach to server provisioning inevitably leads to over-provisioning and underutilization of server hardware assets. IT organizations typically provision at least one server for every application or service they deliver, yet most of these servers only operate at about 5-15% of their total load capacity.
Meanwhile, the costs associated with power, cooling, network infrastructure, storage infrastructure, administrative overhead and real estate can skyrocket as the data center expands. The result is server sprawl: a situation in which servers take up more space and consume more resources than their workloads can justify.
Increase Server Utilization to as Much as 80%
VMware virtualization technology gives you the power to eliminate server sprawl by converting your physical machines into fully functional virtual machines. VMware virtual machines run independently from the underlying hardware and are supported on broad array of physical servers, from 2-CPU to 32-CPU systems.
Each VMware virtual machine represents a complete system—with processors, memory, networking, storage and BIOS—enabling you to run Windows, Linux, Solaris and NetWare operating systems and software applications on the same piece of hardware at the same time.
By running multiple workloads on highly configured x86 servers, your IT organization can increase the utilization of your server hardware from 10-15% to as much as 80%.
Reduce Hardware Requirements by a 10:1 Ratio or Better
Using VMware Infrastructure, your organization can significantly reduce the amount of IT hardware in the data center. Each instance of VMware ESX can support more than 100 virtual machines, and the vast majority of our customers are able to run as many as 10 or more applications on a single piece of hardware.
Servers are not the only IT hardware your organization can consolidate with VMware Infrastructure. You can also leverage VMware solutions for storage and network consolidation, further reducing the overall hardware footprint of your data center.
Cut Hardware & Operating Costs in Half
In addition to the cost of the IT hardware itself, the costs associated with server refrigeration, administrative overhead and real estate can increase rapidly as the data center grows. Energy consumption in the data center is also an issue that is top-of-mind for many IT professionals.
VMware Infrastructure reduces energy consumption by allowing you to run your applications on fewer physical servers, which in turn reduces your power and cooling requirements. Cost savings can be significant--approximately $500-600 per server, per year.
When totaled with the hardware cost savings and other capital reductions, VMware solutions can help your organization save more than $3,000 annually for every server you virtualize.
VMware virtual machines cumulatively have saved over five billion Kilowatt-hours of electrical power. The impact of virtualization on energy consumption is so significant that utility providers in California such as PG&E, SoCal Edison and SDG&E are paying customers for server virtualization projects that result in the removal of server computing equipment. Learn more about VMware's virtualization energy efficiency incentives.
Next: Manage Your Virtual Infrastructure from a Single Point of Control
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