OVERVIEWOVERVIEW Virtualization Defined Server Virtualization

Current Network Diagram Virtualized Diagram Cost of not Virtualizing Benefits and Cost Savings of Server Virtualization

Desktop Virtualization Key Benefits

Benefits Handout

Power Savings Conclusion

What is Virtualization?What is Virtualization?

Virtualization is a technology that has been evolving over the past few years but has been around for more than 30 years. Historically, systems such as Finance, Human Resource Management Systems, Law Enforcement Record Management Systems, GIS and other applications could not run on the same computer servers without problems. Therefore, you had to have one or more servers for each system to operate effectively. Virtualization is a software technology that has empowered us to run these servers as virtual or simulated computer servers running on one physical server. There are two types of virtualization, Server and Desktop.

What the Wayne County Network What the Wayne County Network Looked Like Before VirtualizationLooked Like Before Virtualization There were one or more individual servers for each of our major

systems. If one of these servers or a component failed, the entire system

would be out of service until the server could be repaired. This is a single point of failure for that system.

The failure of any one of these systems could cost thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars due to downtime and lost employee productivity.

Single Points of FailureSingle Points of Failure

FinanceFinance

HRMSHRMS

TaxTax

GISGIS

PrintPrint ServerServer

Virtualized Network DiagramVirtualized Network Diagram

Storage Area Network (SAN)Storage Area Network (SAN)

7 Virtual Servers7 Virtual Servers

Virtualization will reduce the number of Virtualization will reduce the number of physical servers from 45 down to just 7 physical servers from 45 down to just 7 servers plus the SAN.servers plus the SAN.

Our virtual servers include 7 physical servers and a Storage Area Network (SAN) where all data is stored.

The SAN replaces the hard drive storage formerly in more than 45 servers, resulting in improved performance, more capacity for a shared storage environment, and allows for a more secure and redundant network.

Diagram of a Virtual ServerDiagram of a Virtual Server

Virtual ServerVirtual Server

FinanceFinance

HRMSHRMS

TaxTax CollectionsCollections

GISGIS

PrintPrint ServerServer

Most all of the old standalone physical servers will be eliminated through virtualization. Once virtualized, they will reside in storage as a files and run on the virtual server as if they were standalone physical servers. The users won’t be able to tell the difference when using the programs on the server.

Virtualization leaves this one server to maintain instead of five or more.Virtualization leaves this one server to maintain instead of five or more.

So what would it cost if we didn’t So what would it cost if we didn’t Virtualize?Virtualize?

Equipment Costs:Equipment Costs: Servers must be replaced every 5 years The average cost of a server over a 5 year period is

$12,000 Initially, Wayne County has 45 servers to be virtualized.

Replacing these servers every 5 years costs the taxpayers $540,000.

Benefits of VirtualizationBenefits of Virtualization

Reduction in cost Reduces the number of physical servers to purchase

and maintain Improves Performance Almost completely eliminates server downtime due to

hardware failures. If a server fails, the virtual servers running on that system automatically restart on another server.

What are the cost savings?What are the cost savings?

By using virtualization, the 5 year cost of our 45 servers will be reduced from $540,000 to $146,500 for a cost savings of $393,500

This doesn’t include the savings in the reduction in power consumption and cooling and the time spent by IT staff repairing and maintaining critical servers.

Desktop VirtualizationDesktop Virtualization

Desktop virtualization is a relatively new term introduced in the 1990s that describes the process of separating a personal computer (its applications, files and data) from the physical machine. The 'virtualized' desktop is stored on a remote central server instead of on the hard-drive of a local personal computer. This means that when users work from their desktops, all of the programs, applications, processes and data used by the desktop are kept and run from a central server. This allows users to remotely access their computer on any device which is capable of displaying the desktop, such as a PC, laptop, Smartphone or thin client.

Desktop Virtualization KeyDesktop Virtualization KeyBenefitsBenefits

Desktop virtualization enables a centralized server to deliver and manage individualized desktops remotely. This gives users a full desktop computer experience but lets IT staff provision, manage, upgrade and patch them virtually, instead of having to go to each and every computer. There are lower support costs because the users cannot change or cause harm to the operating systems or applications, which tend to cause a lot of the desktop problems we experience.

Ensure business continuity Improve data security Dramatically reduce electrical consumption and eliminate

maintenance issues when migrating to thin clients

Key Benefits ContinuedKey Benefits Continued

Reduce Overall Hardware Costs With desktop virtualization, you don't have to have

high end cutting edge PC hardware because all of the applications are processed centrally on a remote server. This allows organizations to use existing computers much longer because you are not upgrading hardware or operating systems every three to five years.

PC VS. Thin Clients PC VS. Thin Clients Power ConsumptionPower Consumption

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Around the world, forward-thinking IT organizations like Wayne County are turning rigid data centers into agile, virtualized environments.

Virtualization is a proven software technology that is rapidly transforming the IT Landscape and fundamentally changing the way people compute.

The question isn't, "Should we virtualize?" Instead, it is, "How can we transition to a virtualized infrastructure in a predictable, low-risk, cost-effective manner right now?"