Virtualization Strategies

July 2008 · 6 min read

As the global economy puts pressure on IT budgets in 2009, server virtualization continues to emerge as a viable solution for reducing hardware costs, optimizing resource utilization, and improving operational efficiency. At this stage, organizations no longer debate whether to virtualize — the discussion has shifted to how far and how deep they can virtualize without compromising performance, compliance, or manageability.

VMware remains the dominant player, with ESX 3.5 and VirtualCenter providing solid enterprise-grade stability. Microsoft’s Hyper-V, while still maturing, is being considered in mixed environments, especially where licensing cost is a factor. Virtual Iron and Citrix XenServer also play into certain niches, with Citrix gaining traction via its partnership with Microsoft and its integration with XenApp for desktop delivery.

The strategic path to virtualization in 2009 begins with thorough capacity planning. Administrators must gather baselines from existing physical servers to model CPU, memory, storage, and I/O requirements. Tools such as VMware Capacity Planner or Microsoft’s Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) can provide insights into which workloads are good candidates for virtualization. Not all servers should be virtualized — large SQL clusters or I/O-intensive file servers often require dedicated resources.

Storage becomes a key dependency. Shared storage environments — SAN or iSCSI — allow for VM mobility and high availability features such as VMware’s VMotion and HA clusters. In contrast, direct-attached storage (DAS) limits these capabilities. For teams implementing virtualization in branch or remote offices, storage architecture may dictate the level of service and recovery time objectives (RTOs).

From a security perspective, virtualized environments require adapted controls. Network segmentation between virtual machines (VMs) on the same host must be enforced using internal firewalls or VLANs. Administrators should define strict separation of duties in tools like VirtualCenter to avoid privilege abuse, and all VM templates must be hardened prior to deployment.

Backup and recovery must also evolve. Traditional image-level backups may not suit dynamic virtual environments where VM sprawl can easily inflate backup windows. Solutions like Veeam Backup & Replication (which launched in 2008) provide VM-aware backups with features such as deduplication and change block tracking.

In terms of operations, standardization and automation become paramount. Using templates, host profiles, and scheduled snapshots ensures consistency across VMs. Scripting via PowerShell (for Hyper-V) or the VMware PowerCLI enables repeatable operations and tight integration with change control systems.

Despite these advantages, governance remains a top concern. Virtual machine sprawl, licensing compliance, and patch management complexity can spiral out of control if left unchecked. Organizations must treat virtualization as a lifecycle, not a one-time project. Regular audits, documentation, and cross-functional team ownership ensure long-term sustainability.

Virtualization in 2009 is no longer bleeding edge — it is strategic IT. Companies that approach it holistically will build the foundation for future capabilities such as disaster recovery automation, self-service provisioning, and private cloud infrastructure.

Eduardo Wnorowski is a technology consultant focused on network and infrastructure. He shares practical insights from the field for engineers and architects.