How server virtualisation reduces the need for backups

Server

virtualisation comes with some very nifty tools. Microsoft Virtual Server has host clustering.

XenServer has XenMotion built in, which allows you to move a virtual machine from one XenServer to

another without downtime. VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3) Enterprise Edition includes VMware HA (High

Availability), VMware DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduling) and VMotion. Now there's a collection

of tools that spell 'uptime.'

Let's take a closer look at the tools in VMware VI3. VMotion gives you the ability Airline Reservation Online Money Saving Tips to seamlessly

migrate a virtual machine off one host and onto another without disrupting the system (or

application) availability Finding the Right DWI Attorney to the end users. VMware HA will allow an administrator to have their

virtual machine restart in the event of a failure. VMware DRS will automatically have the virtual

machine start on another host with sufficient Internet Video Marketing Tips computing resources to support its function. In

additon, VMware recently expanded VI3 to include Storage VMotion, which will permit the migration

of the physical storage layer of a virtual machine between LUNs or arrays.

But exactly how does this assist my backups?

Simply put, a backup is a point in time that you back up your data or system for future

recovery. Historically, backups have been used in the event of a system failure, application

failure or a disaster. However, backups have evolved so much over the past years that they now form

an integral part of the "business as usual" function.

Let's go back to what a backup is Hacker turned FBI informant spared jail used for: system recovery.

In the enterprise arena where active/active data centres are not uncommon with high-speed

communication links, the traditional backup function is moving down the priority order for IT

organisations.

 Where server virtualisation tools complement storage

array-based replication, backing up the system becomes a second string to your bow rather Internet Marketing Businesses Could Be Your Key to Success than your

only Moai 3: Trade Mission Collector's Edition string.

Andrew McCreath

engagement partnerGlassHouse Technologies (UK)

With the server virtualisation tools discussed 10 Fantastic Tips For Eco Friendly Home Cleaning above, a virtual

machine can be run anywhere, anytime, all of the time. And where this technology complements other

vendor systems, such as storage array based replication (for example, the EMC Moai 3: Trade Mission Collector's Edition SRDF family, EMC

MirrorView, HP Continuous Access and NetApp SnapMirror), which are exceptionally efficient in

getting "ones and zeros" between distributed sites, you can soon see that backing up the system

becomes a second string to your bow rather than your only string.

What about the SMEs of the world that do not have the luxury of multiple fibre links between

globally diverse data centres?

Different challenges are being met through virtualisation. Turning a physical server into a

virtual machine, which in simple terms makes it a file on a VMware File System (VMFS) volume on

common or Moai 3: Trade Mission Collector's Edition shared storage, is something we can all get our heads around.

How do we back up files? The Transformation Of Spiritual Consciousness What is the quickest way to back up files? The easiest way is with a

snapshot of the volume or LUN in the array or by an appliance that replicates Moai 3: Trade Mission Collector's Edition between DAS servers.

Now you only have to meet the daily recovery point objective (RPO) for disaster recovery or

business continuity planning.

About the author: Andrew McCreath is an Engagement Partner with Glasshouse

Technologies (UK), Moai 3: Trade Mission Collector's Edition a global provider of IT infrastructure services. He has more than 16 years

experience with infrastructure and management information systems. Prior to joining GlassHouse,

Andrew managed multi-million-dollar projects while employed with Accenture, Credit Suisse First

Boston, Kimberly-Clark, Socit Gnrale and EMC, and is currently specialised in server

virtualisation and data centre consolidation.