Virtualization at Statistics Netherlands

Koos Veefkind

Agenda

Statistics NetherlandsFactsThe Project

Lessons learned

Organizational impact

(additional)Desktop virtualization at SN

DesignImplementingEffect

Statistics Netherlands, the case• ICT is crucial, tight security measures• IT staff: 240 FTE (80 FTE infrastructure)• Located in Voorburg/Heerlen (2 Datacenters)• Number of users/desktops: 2500/3000+ • Number of servers: 300+ (no mainframe)

Triggers for the project

• Problems with backup• Voorburg – Heerlen: now fail over: SPOF• Physical move Voorburg and Heerlen• Application environment not hardware

independent• No standardized maintenance process• Efficiency target• Project goal: reliable infrastructure and

efficient organization

Leidschenveen, Januari 2007

Project characteristics

• Consolidation Datacenter Voorburg/Heerlen to Apeldoorn

• Virtualization of all servers• Virtualization of all desktops• Change from PC infrastructure to Thin client

infrastructure• State of the art technology and major change• First datacenter live in Apeldoorn in May

2008, second in October 2008

Datacenter Apeldoorn

Backup locationApeldoorn

The Hague Heerlen

Lessons learned• Murphy’s law• Power outage roadmap needed• Inventory !• Trail cut over• Performance testing up front!

– End user experience– Involvement of all ICT specialists (server, storage-, network-

and application management)• Energy balance• FrontOffice and BackOffice: boundaries disappear

Advantages:• Easy to manage desktops and servers• Scalability• Flexibility• Continuïty

Organizational impact

• Infra maintenance more efficient• Infrastructure complex but more reliable• Specific knowledge required• End user experience: location independent

work environment• Reduction headcount from 80 to 40 FTE