Decoding Virtualization's Present And Future

X86 server virtualization has brought mainframe functionality at x86 prices. Although a boon for firms looking to extract more from their infrastructure, virtualization adds a new dimension of complexity to the way the data center is managed. VMware is the runaway favorite among firms today — but next-generation products, including Microsoft's Windows Hypervisor and the open source Xen, loom on the horizon. The arrival of these hypervisors will commoditize the technology, shining the spotlight on the importance of the management tools to extract the true value of a virtualized server infrastructure. Here we address IT operation managers' questions surrounding virtualization and its present and future impact on their infrastructure.