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The Many Faces of Virtualization: Understanding a New IT
Reality
Document: SSR-420
Date of Publication:
December
28, 2007
Number of Pages:
20
Lead Author(s):
Charlie Burns
Contributing Author(s): Bruce Guptill,
Mike West
Price: $795.00 USD
(Single User License)
Report Overview:
Attracted
by dazzling promises of dramatic reductions in the complexity and
costs of infrastructures, user IT executives have made
virtualization the hottest topic in many years.
All
too frequently, the general concept of virtualization is equated
with the specifics of server virtualization. That is because server
virtualization, or more precisely, mainframe virtualization has been
a fixture of the IT landscape for decades. But virtualization can be
applied to all IT resources from servers to storage to networks to
desktops and is not one-size-fits-all.
As IT vendors move to cash in on the growing popularity
of virtualization, they are touting a growing array of offerings to
implement, facilitate, organize, mitigate, and/or manage various
aspects of virtualization. Not surprisingly, while each vendor’s
sales efforts are well-intentioned, the numerous approaches to
virtualization and a cacophony of terms can leave users overwhelmed
or confused.
Press
Release / Media, BLOG and Podcast Coverage
Executive
Summary:
Read
this report to learn:
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How "Virtualization" includes and affects all of IT - much more than servers, networks and storage |
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How Virtualization has changed from early mainframe days to state-of-the-art virtualized IT environments |
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The management benefits and requirements of IT virtualization, and the resulting opportunities |
Research Highlights:
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Virtualization
poses a revenue threat to vendors of
microprocessors, servers, Operating Systems, Middleware,
and applications. |
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Virtualization
poses challenges in IT management which result in opportunities
for vendors of IT management offerings.
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While all facets of IT Virtualization offerings will see enhancements in functionality and performance, the most significant enhancements will be in microprocessor, hypervisor, and operating system function for Server Virtualization. |
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Through 2010, Server Virtualization will have the single largest impact on budgets for IT hardware and support. The second largest impact will be network virtualization. |
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Through 2010, three vendors - Cisco, VMware, and XenSource (now Citrix) - will dominate IT Virtualization, accounting for 60 percent of all new virtualization deployments. |
Table Of
Contents:
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IT
Virtualization: Strategic Planning Positions (SPPs)
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Introduction:
Virtualization Needs Definition
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Why
is Virtualization So Important?
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IT
Virtualization is Not a Free Lunch |
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Categorizing
Virtualization Alternatives
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Server
Virtualization
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Application
Virtualization
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Hardware
Virtualization
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Presentation
Virtualization
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Desktop
Virtualization
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Storage
Virtualization
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Network
Virtualization |
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User
Impact: Managing Virtualization
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Executive
Steps on the Virtualization Path
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Vendor
Impact: Managing
Opportunity |
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Conclusion:
Virtual Disruptions Improve Business
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List of Figures and Sidebars:
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Sidebar:
Defining IT Virtualization |
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Figure
1: “Real” versus Virtualized IT Infrastructure
Characteristics
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Sidebar: Historical Perspective - Mainframe Virtualization
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Sidebar: Mainframe Virtualization Today
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Figure
2: Primary Uses and Representative Vendors
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Figure 3: Key IT and Business Considerations
of Virtualization
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Figure 4: Key IT
Management Challenges Posed by Server Virtualization |
Related Research
|
04-30-08 The Business Appliance: Flexible Functionality for a Broad Range of Computing Needs
(C. Burns, M. Koenig, 6 pages,
MKT-461, $$$) |
|
04-28-08 Reflex Security – Security in an Appliance Form Factor
(C. Burns, 4 pages, QT-457, $$$) |
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03-31-08 Hyperic – Next Generation Systems Management
(C. Burns, 4 pages, QT-448, $$$) |
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03-05-08 x86 Virtualization: Pain Killer or Panacea?
(C. Burns, 2 pages, RA-441)
|
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02-29-08 x86 Virtualization: Treating Symptoms While Awaiting a Cure – Part 2
(STR-440, C. Burns, 5 pages, $$$) |
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02-29-08 x86 Virtualization: Treating Symptoms While Awaiting a Cure – Part 1
(STR-439, C. Burns, 5 pages, $$$) |
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01-31-08
Transitive – Cross Platform Virtualization for Application
Migration
(C. Burns, 4 pages, QT-431, $$$)
|
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01-30-08
VMware’s Share Price and the Virtualization Marketplace
(B. Guptill, C. Burns, M. West, 3 pages,
RA-430) |
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01-29-08 Virtualization Saugatuck Planning Positions – Part 2
(C. Burns, B. Guptill, 6 pages, SPP-429, $$$) |
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01-18-08 Virtualization Saugatuck Planning Positions – Part 1
(C. Burns, B. Guptill, 4 pages, SPP-426,
$$$) |
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01-09-08
IT Virtualization: Is Proliferation Breeding Confusion, Complexity and Cost?
(C. Burns, 3 pages, RA-424)
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12-28-07 A Look Back at Key Trends and Events of 2007
(M. Koenig, B. McNee, 5 pages, RA-419) |
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12-27-07
IT Disruptors Bring Management Challenges and Opportunities (C.
Burns, 8 pages, STR-418, $$$) |
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11-21-07
Server Virtualization Becoming More Real(izable) (C.
Burns, 3 pages, RA-407) |
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08-15-07
VMware and XenSource Fuel Credibility for "Virtual" Reality
(Bruce Guptill, 2 pages, RA-376) |
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06-13-07
Virtualization and Open Source Enable IT Optimization – but Need Holistic Vision
(C. Burns, 3 pages, RA-356) |
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05-18-07
VMware Analyst Event Indicates Technology, Offering and Competitive Direction
(C. Burns, B. Guptill, 4 pages, MKT-347, $$$) |
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01-31-07
Virtualization Considerations: Forewarned is Forearmed (C.
Burns, M. West, B. Guptill, 3 pages, STR-315, $$$) |
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