As computing workloads continue to put pressure on data centre operators, organizations must decide the best course of action that will provide the optimal server environment while being more efficient. Virtualization has become one of the most popular solutions that will suit these needs while also providing additional benefits that will aid in business development. Businesses still rely on data centres for many of their everyday functions, and in order to maximize uptime, virtualization can be leveraged to more effectively conserve power and space. Here are a few best practices for companies to observe when preparing their system for virtualization:

1. Optimize resources
When transferring information over to a virtual machine, the organization must ensure that there will be no obstacles stopping the data migration. Data Center Knowledge contributor Bill Kleyman noted that LAN, WAN and QoS metrics must be upgraded appropriately in order to promote seamless transferral and remove some traffic congestion. This will help deliver larger data such as media files and ensure that the connection is not lost during relocation. By creating rules around traffic flow and improving it for where the user is based, the business can optimize the system to connect over 3G/4G networks while still providing a positive experience.

“As the virtual platform continues to evolve, organizations will need to make sure that their infrastructure continues to stay directly in line with business needs,” Kleyman wrote. “Never forget that modern businesses are tied at the hip to their IT environment. A lack of technological understanding can allow the competition to jump ahead.”

2. Prepare items for storage
Virtualization has several unique storage needs that need to be addressed before transferring data. The various throughput and I/O needs of the system are unique, as the system requires simultaneous I/O requests during user logins, according to ComputerWeekly. Operators must ensure that their data is in a compatible format in order to effectively migrate to a virtual environment. Because of the various file types and sizes, the organization must also account for this with extensive space capabilities and scalable bandwidth features.

3. Test to assess needs
One of the most crucial factors is getting a solution that will meet all of the enterprise’s unique needs. InfoWorld’s Matt Prigge noted that creating a pilot could help gauge user impressions of the VDI and also shed more light on what storage and server resources will be needed to run a fully functional deployment. By using metrics for CPU and memory utilization, the organization can keep better track of what is being accessed and how often, allowing the business to make innovative decisions.

“Whatever choices you make regarding which VDI platform to use, expect to see a significant load land on your network storage resource,” Prigge wrote. “Failing to deploy a realistic pilot environment and perform rigorous testing may leave you high and dry.”

Data centre needs are quickly evolving and operators must choose services that will best benefit the organization. With managed services and virtualization from FlexITy, one of the largest managed IT service providers in Canada, the business can easily manage the larger workloads while continuing to develop.

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