Gail A. BohanDirector of Information Technology

City of Fairfax, Va

Virtual TechnologiesVirtual technologies have been around for quite

a long time with little fanfare – some examples:Virtual private network VPN

Virtual local area network VLANVirtual technologies allow us to take full

advantage of computing resources by dividing the resource into multiple parts and sharing the basics

What is Server Virtualization?Definition : “a method of running multiple

independent virtual operating systems on a single physical computer” (http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878 Aug 24,2008)

Ideal for applications that require less server power and fewer users

Allows consolidation of servers

Virtualization in Virginia LocalitiesA nonscientific survey done of Va

localities shows that most of us are at least investigating virtualization

Reasons for considering virtualization: backup and recovery, domain controllers, file servers, print servers

Localities by Users SupportedSmall (200-395) Medium (400 – 895) Large(900+)

City of Bedford Albemarle Co City of Chesapeake

Town of Blacksburg City of Danville Chesterfield Co

Campbell Co City of Newport News City of Hampton

City of Fairfax Spotsylvania Co Loudoun Co

Franklin Co Stafford Co City of Lynchburg

City of Manassas City of Staunton Roanoke Co

City of Suffolk City of Virginia Beach

5

Virtualization in VA LocalitiesApplicationsReal estate appraisal Fire investigations Help desk software GISEmailSharePointMcAfee

Applications MS SQL database

server Lotus Notes Blackberry

Enterprise Linux Apache Faster Documentum

Recent National Statistics*

* From CIO Insight Research, Emerging Technologies 2008

Virtual Products Operating systems in use:

VMware ESX used by 90%MS Virtual ServerSuSE Xen; Parallels Virtuozzo

Benefits• Improved disaster recovery• Time saving when deploying servers• Reduced time when replacing physical

servers with virtual servers• Easier and faster to set up test systems• Server consolidation• Lower power and cooling consumption• Reduced hardware and maintenance

costs

CautionsStorage management more complexNot compatible with all applicationsWatch out for licensing issuesRevise backup proceduresHigher level of trouble shooting

requiredDifficult to contain virtual spreadDo not neglect staff training