It is a common misconception that being environmentally
friendly will make you go broke, when in actuality it is the exact opposite in the
IT world. In the midst of economic and ecological turmoil, turn to virtual computing to help save the
environment and a few bucks in the process. You could wait on a fantastic superhero to swoop in and save your world, but why wait when you have the power to save yourself a little "green" while helping save the environment today!
So, what is “Virtual Computing”? You may have seen the IBM
commercial with the Disney-like characters that come to life after a woman describes the cost saving benefits for her "green plan" (video to the right). Virtual computing is kind of like that, but really it is just the technology to use one computer as multiple
computers. When combining this technology with today’s powerful and efficient
multi-core servers, we get a reduction in the hardware needed to power a business, which reduces overall power consumption, providing you and your business with added cost savings to go along with all of that energy efficiency.
As smart business owners it is our responsibility to take
actions toward building a better tomorrow. Going green utilizing new technology
is a no-brainer. Here are 5 virtual computing solutions in an effort to go
green:
- Terminal
Services and Thin Clients: Reduce total cost of ownership by replacing employee desktops with "thin" terminals that connect in to the main server console, sharing out all necessary programs for productivity.
- Data
Consolidation: Move to a SAN (Storage Area Network) solution that is a centralized data store for all servers and computers on a network. An efficient way of managing data and security.
- Server
Consolidation: Technology such as VMWare, Hyper-V, Xen and others allow old hardware to be virtualized onto efficient multi-core server systems and then recycled.
- Virtualize the Test Labs: Eliminate the need for labs of computers running different operating systems for testing by creating multiple virtual computers on a single system..
- Web Hosting Applications: Utilize a Virtual Private Server that fits the needs of your web applications. Most VPS solutions are versatile and can be adjusted to fit your power and business needs.
One of the top benefits gained from virtualization is bare metal restoration. When hardware fails on a server the IT guy is left scrambling for replacement parts. With a virtualized server, a data backup can easily be restored to any server independent of hardware. In addition, as virtual hardware becomes outdated it can easily be retired and replaced with the latest and greatest in new technology.
How do you plan to go green?
Written by
R. Grant Baxley
President & CEO
Infinity Computer Solutions, LLC
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” ~Native American Proverb
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