Virtualization and Hosting: Benefits, Best Practices, and Case Study
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Agenda • What is Virtualization? • Best Practices • Should I do it? • Case Study - Tenmast Hosting • Tenmast Data Center • Demo & Questions
What is Virtualization? “…Creating a simulated version of hardware platforms, operating systems, storage devices, and computer network resources.” • Centralize administrative tasks while improving scalability and workloads. • 3 Types: • Network • Storage • Server Why?
Consider This…. • Hardware Compatibility • BIOS settings – support virtualization • Oversubscription/Performance • Virtual machines run in a "layer" on a host system • There will always be some level of performance sacrifice My advice…before you buy, virtualize something!
Picking a Platform • Linux • VM Ware • Citrix • Windows Server • Hyper-V
Benefits of Hosting • It’s easy! You don’t have to worry about managing the server, creating users, updates, security, backups, or hardware upgrades • Quicker access to solve your issues. Tenmast has immediate and intimate knowledge of your server • 99.99% Network Uptime
Benefits of Hosting • Load balancing and redundant applications • You can work from anywhere with internet access without issue • Your database and hardware is under constant performance monitoring 24/7/365 • Restarting the physical machine or work station will not always resolve the issue
Hosting Lessons Learned • Virtualization can introduce obstacles • Printing/Drivers • Expansion/Oversubscription • Where did we start? • Where are we today?
Tenmast Hosting - Printing Problem:
Tenmast Hosting - Printing • Solution: TSPRINT
Expansion/Oversubscription • 2 servers for several clients • Goal: Cost Savings • Original Design Future Plans • Redesign • Load balanced applications for all clients • Resources are allocated as needed
Where did we start and are we today? • Then: <75 Users • Then: 1Gbps • Then: 2 Servers • Then: <1TB • 2016: 10Gbps • 2016: • ~ 300 Servers • 2016: 100TB • 2016: ~2100 Users • 2017: 150TB • 2017: ~2700 Users • 2017: 10Gbps • 2017: • ~ 400 Servers
What’s does it all mean? Demo!