Server virtualization is a cost effective and strategic decision for most companies. Virtualizing servers abstracts physical hardware from its operating systems, removing the ties that exist between them. This allows you to run several virtual machines all with a different operating system on the same physical machine at the same time.

This optimized utilization of server resources – through virtualization – can save companies money through the reduction of hardware investment. In addition to the cost of the servers themselves, fewer machines also mean reduced power and energy costs.

Beyond cost savings, server virtualization establishes the framework for high availability without the need for complex and expensive clustering. In addition, you can add server resources dynamically with virtualization, resulting in quick allocation of networking resources and CPU memory to new virtual servers on an as needed basis.

As a leader in the virtualization space, VMware provides comprehensive virtualization solutions. Though like any new technology, there can be a long learning curve and bumps in road after deployment and from server migration. There are 6 VMware best practices in migrating applications from physical to virtual servers that will help establish the most efficient and long term implementation of your VMware infrastructure available.

1. Create Operating System Templates – this will help you overcome an over-allocation of resources which often occurs with automated migration

2. Create Single Processor Images – this will help you maximize the resource pool available to guest operating systems

3. Minimize the Resources Allocated to Virtual Servers – deliberately set the processor and memory resources low and monitor, helping to minimize over-allocation of resources

4. Beware of SCSI Reservations – while necessary to avoid data corruption, they can degrade virtual server performance

5. Keep Operating System and Application Data Sets on the Same Volume – this will provide consistent performance and simplifies the recovery and snapshot process

6. Keep At Least One Physical Active Directory Server – in the event of data center disruption this will help you avoid the manual process of managing the order in which you bring virtual servers back online

Server virtualization as a whole can make a huge impact in the efficiency and availability of applications and resources for your business. This in turn can give you a competitive edge, so the decision to virtualize your IT environment becomes not only one based on cost, but a strategic one. In a perfect world, your server virtualization migration should maximize your existing resources, thus creating an IT infrastructure that is available, reliable, and can scale for your company’s application needs.

For more detail on the 6 VMware best practices for server migration, visit the three part blog series that explores each best practice.