Tag Archives: virtualization

Disaster Recovery Preparation

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Businessman shows concept hologram Recovery on his hand. Disaster recovery preparation concept

The key to disaster recovery is preparation for when it does occur.

Computer users come in many flavors, shapes, and backgrounds. Some merely use computers for simple tasks such as checking E-mail, news, weather, and various other data statistic feeds — these are all simple tasks that don’t require thought about computer maintenance or file/data backup. Other users have a more data-sensitive approach where storing files and various other types of data in a computer are a major factor in their day-to-day computer usage — this means that computer maintenance and data preservation take on a whole different sense of priority. Business owners and managers, for example, would not be able to continue operations after an event that causes data loss unless sound data-backup policies are in place — business continuity and uninterrupted profit should be the priority of businesses, therefore the following preparations and protocol should be part of a business’ IT policy.

Self-Service

There are options for self-servicing, although it’s recommended to obtain professional consulting when setting up any of the following options. There are options within computer operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh, and various other operating systems that provide for either manual or scheduled backups of computer files and data. Sometimes third-party programs are preferable if the native programs within the operating system do not fit the needs of the computer user. Whatever the case, granular control of the backup programs can be achieved through various settings. For example, a date and time can be set to run the backup program. Selection of specific folders, directories, and files can be set for backup. Retention settings can be set that determines how long certain files are kept in storage — this helps to manage storage space. Encryption options are also available for backed up files so that they cannot be read by unauthorized individuals. All of these settings can be set to run automatically — on a schedule — or they can be set and run manually.

Other kinds of self-service might include relatively easy methods such as “copying and pasting.”  This is a manual type of backup where the user will use the computer keyboard or mouse to copy specific files and/or folders over to an external drive such as a flash drive or external hard drive connected via USB ports. Archiving, retention, and encryption of the files lie in the discretion of the user.

Cloud storage is another form of self-service whereby computer users with an internet connection may subscribe to an internet backup service. Automatic or manual backup using these services are optional. Users may configure the service the same way as in computer operating systems expect that storage is on the internet provided by the backup services. Typically, internet backup service providers will allocate a small amount of free storage space to allow testing their platform. If the computer user likes the service and requires additional storage space, it can be purchased.

Outsourcing

As mentioned previously, self-servicing, especially within environments where data preservation is critical, should be done under the advisement of professionals who understand the twists and turns of backing up computer data. However, self-servicing can be extremely burdensome to companies because of the fact that running businesses is stressful enough without having to deal with the technical side of the computer equipment being used. The priority of a business is ideally production — whereby time is not wasted troubleshooting and dealing with the caveats that can come with backing up computer files and data. IT professionals know exactly how to set up and maintain computer backup programs and services, and properly store the data where it cannot be lost, damaged, or stolen. It’s generally recommended for businesses with a high emphasis on production to obtain the consistent services of professionals who thoroughly understand computer backup systems.

SystemsNet specializes in a wide variety of computer technologies and with many years of experience. Please contact us.

Benefits of Server Management Via Virtualization

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Virtualization is a way to improve the overall efficiency of your servers and reduces your dependency on hardware.

Virtualization is a way to improve the overall efficiency of your servers and reduces your dependency on hardware.

In layman’s terms, IT virtualization deals with improving the efficiency of physical servers. Virtualization is a concept that can be a applied to computers, operating systems, and different forms of data storage that are regularly used in servers. Server virtualization helps allocate data and application, creating access points for employers and employees. Organizations and businesses are challenged by x86 servers, which are too inefficient to handle different applications and operating systems. Even relatively small data centers have to utilize several servers, with most operating at an inefficient capacity. Virtualization steps in to simulate the abilities of servers with a practical, effective framework. Businesses and IT organizations can run multiple operating systems on a single server, saving time, allowing for the migration of virtual machines to other servers, as well as allocate resources between different machines. Here are some specific benefits you can enjoy by employing virtualization in your intel management system:

Virtualization Saves Energy Costs, Affordability. Virtualization is changing IT and the monitoring of information, providing efficiencies that aren’t capable with physical servers. Migrating physical servers into virtualized ones enables you to consolidate many processes into fewer servers. This is a stand-alone benefit, with companies enjoying the benefits of a lower electrical footprint with lower monthly costs. The cost effectiveness of virtualized servers is a benefit that was underlined in the early 2000s – and it’s still is an advantage.

Efficient Downsizing and Reduce Center Size. Virtualization allows you to use fewer servers, reducing the amount of space needed for servers. Developing companies with volatile funding will particularly enjoy the scalability of virtualization.

Better, More Efficient Access To Information. Virtualization allows you to pull data from servers at a whim, with many capabilities using apps and software that are easily accessible. With virtualization, you can clone, edit, and modify a server in minutes. System provisioning and deployment can be done in a moment’s notice.

Virtualization For Effortless Backup of Data. Not only do you want backups of your virtual machines, you also want to be able to have restore points, where you can go back to “snapshots”. Virtualization has made it intuitive to backup your machine and upload it to other servers, with the process being accessible and seamless. Compared to the upkeep of physical machines, virtualization reduces downtime.

Efficient Testing Of Data. Physical servers are linear, with very little room to experiment or employ cutting-edge technologies. Virtual machines allow for a bit more playroom with a testing environment that can easily be restored during an unsavory event. Virtualization is the best testing environment, for you can restore to a previous snap chat of your virtual machine.

Freedom of Vendors And Easy Migration to the Cloud. Virtualization of your IT processes allows you to test different hardware vendors that are compatible with the software, allowing you to select the best hardware that is conducive to your strategic needs. Cloud storage also allows for secure migration of data. Virtualization of your machine is closely tied to cloud storage, allowing for cloud-based infrastructure. Cloud storage is encrypted, safe, and allows for seamless, up to date information on all servers.

Virtualization Improves Disaster Recovery Exponentially. By removing the dependency of hardware, a particular type of model, or the use of numerous physical servers, businesses can easily replicate data saved in their virtualized machines. Backup of physical servers is obtrusive, with physical servers simply failing due to age or external factors. Virtualization create an environment where data recovery and management is not only intuitive, but it’s a process that is automatic. To learn more about how you virtualization can help reduce cost and improve the efficiency of your current hardware, contact us.

8 Valuable Benefits of Virtualization

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Virtualization makes better use of your hardware, which results in cost savings.

Virtualization makes better use of your hardware, which results in cost savings.

When companies consider virtualizing, they don’t always see the valuable benefits. It’s easy to get caught up in pessimism when it’s something unknown.

The increase of virtualization, however, gives good reason for companies to be optimistic about the technology. More businesses are using it and finding it to be a positive change. As InfoTech recently noted in a May 19, 2015 article, researchers are seeing a spike in virtualization:

Gartner market researchers report that the number of virtualized servers in data centers has noticeably increased over the last five years. Up to 50 percent of servers had been virtualized in many companies by the end of 2012. This percentage has risen to 70 percent in the last year, especially with the newly delivered systems.

Why are companies stampeding to virtualization? These eight benefits will help you understand why as you consider using the technology for your business.

1. It Makes Better Use of Your Hardware. Instead of purchasing multiple physical units to handle your servers, virtualization dramatically reduces the physical assets needed. In fact, it improves the utilization rates of your hardware from 15 percent to a whopping 80 percent. And that of course leads directly to benefit #2.

2. Cost Savings. It’s not just the better hardware utilization that saves money. As TechRepublic.com notes, the “lack of downtime, easier maintenance, [and] less electricity used” all add up to some serious savings.

3.  Product Testing. Setting up test environments is costly. Product testing requires high overhead. But, as WiseGeek.com notes, virtualization will allow you to “quickly and easily set up and maintain testing environments, and to rapidly restore testing environments to their original state when required.”

4. Better Redeployment. Virtualizing your data center (i.e. continually creating digital backups of all data) means it’s always ready to redeploy at any time, for any reason — and very quickly. The alternative — dealing with a physical server — is more time-consuming and costly. Virtual Strategy Magazine explains it this way: “…if a physical server dies, redeployment can take a lot of time because it is dependent on a vast array of factors that are not always in your control.”

Having digital backups also makes Backup Disaster Recovery (BDR) a walk in the park compared to the grueling alternative.

5. Separated Servers. Without virtualization, it’s usually one server that handles everything. But with virtualization you can dedicate single servers to one function — i.e. one for email, one for database management, one for web. This adds more power and flexibility to each area of your system. According to Webopedia: “…it lets each virtual server run its own operating system and each virtual server can also be independently rebooted of one another.”

6. Less Chance of a Server Room Meltdown. With less physical units in your server room, your chances of a server meltdown reduce. If you think this only happens to small, ill-equipped companies who forget to install a temperature control system, think again. In 2013, Microsoft’s servers overheated and caused a 16-hour shutdown of all Outlook and Hotmail email accounts.

7. More Choice with Vendors. Moving away from physical serves means you’re not forced to use a limited number of vendors. Virtualization makes your system much more compatible with a wide variety of vendors.

8. That Much Closer to Cloud Technology. Virtualization brings your company to the threshold of cloud computing. And, in case you need a refresher on the differences between the two, Business News Daily offers this quick, clean summary:

“…virtualization differs from cloud computing because virtualization is software that manipulates hardware, while cloud computing refers to a service that results from that manipulation…Cloud computing is the delivery of shared computing resources, software or data — as a service and on-demand through the Internet.”

Contact us to learn more about virtualization and how it might benefit your company. If you’re not sure if it is a good fit for your company, contact us for a free consultation to determine if now is a good time for your business to virtualize.