Is object-based storage considered storage virtualization?
Trying to figure out what our plan is for storage after implementing our virtualization strategy. Any suggestions – vendors, products, plans of action? I’m still cloudy on what exactly is considered storage virtualization and what our options are.

Answer Question   |  April 28, 2011  5:37 PM
Storage, Storage devices, Storage management, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

Recommendations for storage virtualization appliances
I’d appreciate any recommendations for storage virtualization appliances and strategies. Thanks!

Answer Question   |  February 27, 2013  5:18 PM
SDN, Storage, Storage devices, Storage management, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

Open IT Forum: What is the most important component of a virtualization strategy?
Whether you’re deploying a virtualization strategy or it’s only a minor blip on your radar, what would you say is the most important component of a virtualization strategy? Share your thoughts and experiences, and we’ll share 50 knowledge points!

Answer Question   |  April 15, 2012  5:39 PM
IT strategic planning, IT Strategy, Knowledge Point Bounty, Open IT Forum, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

Open IT Forum: What’s your attitude toward storage virtualization?
We’re wondering what the general attitude toward storage virtualization is. Is your company considering it as a part of your virtualization project, or is it not even part of the discussion? Share your experiences, thoughts, or questions regarding storage virtualization, and we’ll share 50 knowledge points!

Answer Question   |  May 2, 2011  7:02 PM
Knowledge Point Bounty, Open IT Forum, Storage, Storage devices, Storage management, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

Open IT Forum: Storage virtualization expectations & realities
A recent study from DataCore suggests that enterprise IT doesn’t fully understand the fine print surrounding storage virtualization. From the added costs to the incompatibility of traditional storage methods with virtualized servers and desktops. Have you put off deploying virtualization or experienced a much higher cost than expected? Share your mishaps, expectations, and realities, and [...]

Answer Question   |  April 26, 2011  5:38 PM
Knowledge Point Bounty, Open IT Forum, Storage, Storage devices, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

Options for storage virtualization
I’d love any feedback on vendors or strategies for storage for my virtual machines. What should I consider when planning storage? What sort of budget can I expect?

Answer Question   |  April 11, 2011  7:38 PM
Backup, Storage, Storage management, Storage virtualization, Storage virtualization software, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

Backing up user data in image VDI environments
What’s the easiest way to identify and backup user data spread across user disk images? Any tips on VDI backup best practices would be greatly appreciated.

Answer Question   |  June 25, 2012  7:26 PM
Backup and restore, Desktop virtualization, Disk Imaging, VDI, Virtual backups, Virtualization strategies

Open IT Forum: What would sell desktop virtualization to you?
Last year, Brian Madden talked about the ways to get traditional desktop administrators to start getting their feet wet in desktop virtualization, and we were wondering what it took for you to satisfy your curiosity about the technology. What customized ways have you adopted desktop virtualization? Was it difficult to convince you or your desktop [...]

Answer Question   |  January 25, 2011  8:47 PM
Desktop administration, Desktop virtualization, Desktop Virtualization Implementation, Open IT Forum, Virtualization strategies, Virtualization technologies

Open IT Forum: Pros & cons of VDI-in-a-box
In the still maturing technology of desktop virtualization, VDI-in-a-box is heralded as a cost-effective solution for specific applications or users that can reap the benefits of virtualization. Are you currently deploying or considering deploying VDI-in-a-box? What are the pros & cons you’ve experienced? The best answers get 50 knowledge points toward our iPad contest!

Answer Question   |  January 18, 2011  8:22 PM
Desktop virtualization, Desktop Virtualization Implementation, Open IT Forum, VDI, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies, Virtualization technologies

How does VDI handle IP addresses for each virtual desktop?
I’m setting up a test environment in VMware View, with Windows Vista and Windows SP. We use DHCP but each IP in the DHCP scope is reserved. Does the virtual desktop point back to the parent VM? How does VDI handle the IP address for each virtual desktop? Am I going to have to go [...]

Answer Question   |  January 11, 2011  6:55 PM
Desktop virtualization, DHCP, IP Addresses, VDI, Virtualization strategies, VMware View, Windows Vista, Windows XP

Open IT Forum: Who is deploying desktop virtualization?
Are you deploying desktop virtualization in the enterprise? If not, why not? If so, what hardware and software are you using/do you recommend?

Answer Question   |  January 11, 2011  5:58 PM
Desktop virtualization, Desktop Virtualization Implementation, Desktop virtualization software, Open IT Forum, Virtualization strategies

Consolidating 5 or 6 physical servers into one
We have a small environment consisting of 5 physical PC servers running departmental applications. What’s the best approach for server consolidation? Do you recommend server virtualization? SAN or NAS? Would VMware or Citrix Xen be best suited for this? What’s Microsoft’s approach?

Answer Question   |  January 4, 2011  5:41 PM
Citrix XenServer, Physical Server, Virtual Server, Virtual Server Architecture, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies, VMware

Virtualizing four servers on one box
We want to virtualize 4 servers on one box. Where should we begin? How do we tell what virtualization platform to run with?

Answer Question   |  February 8, 2012  7:17 PM
Cloud Computing in 2010, SaaS, SaaS in 2010, Virtual Machines, Virtualization, Virtualization platforms, Virtualization strategies

Best OS for a dedicated server serving virtual servers
What is the best operating system for a dedicated server serving virtual servers? Does it matter? It will be running all types of OSes. It will host Linux, Windows and Mac OSes.

Answer Question   |  September 21, 2010  3:41 PM
Dedicated servers, Linux, Mac OS, Operating systems, Virtual Server, Virtual Servers, Virtualization strategies, Windows

Consolidating low power/memory servers into virtual machines
We have several servers that use very little computing power/memory and we would like to consolidate them into one server with several virtual machines. What is the best way to asses what will need to be done and what equipment we will need to purchase?

Answer Question   |  September 20, 2010  3:41 PM
Server consolidation, Virtual Machines, Virtualization, Virtualization and hardware, Virtualization strategies

Localization with Microsoft Desktop Virtualization
As a global company, our organization is interested in virtualizing desktops in our international offices – is there ability for localization with MSFT desktop virtualization?

Answer Question   |  April 19, 2010  8:50 PM
Desktop virtualization, Microsoft Desktop Virtualization, VDI, Virtualization strategies

Moving to a 100 percent virtual environment — benefits and risks
Can I virtualize all my servers, or should certain servers or specific applications not be virtualized? What are the benefits and risks?

Answer Question   |  January 12, 2010  6:05 PM
Application virtualization, Server Virtualization Implementation, Virtualization strategies, Virtualization technologies

How up-to-speed is your organization on Virtualization?
SearchCIO-MidMarket recently posted a virtualization quiz covering everything from licensing issues to server farm maintenence, but how up to speed do you think most organizations are in terms of server virtualization strategy? Have those that are going to embrace it already made the leap?

Answer Question   |  September 17, 2009  7:46 PM
Open IT Forum, Virtualization, Virtualization strategies

What tools are being used to diagram server architecture?
What tools are being used to diagram server architecture? This question is from the Microsoft Virtualization Chat on ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Answer Question   |  April 24, 2009  3:43 PM
Microsoft virtualization, Server Architecture Diagramming Tools, Server Architecture Tools, Server Architectures, Virtual Server Architecture, Virtualization and hardware, Virtualization strategies

Why is centralized storage so important for enterprise virtualization products?
Why is centralized storage so important for enterprise virtualization products? This question is from the Microsoft Virtualization Chat on ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Answer Question   |  June 15, 2009  3:37 PM
Centralized Storage, Centralized Storage for Virtualization, Enterprise Virtualization, Microsoft virtualization, Virtualization strategies