Data center virtualization could unlock a multitude of efficiency benefits for IT infrastructures: cost savings, scalability and disaster recovery capabilities. To maximize these benefits, IT departments must use carefully chosen tools and implement best practices. This collection of IT infrastructure whitepapers focuses on the most important components required to create and maintain a modern, virtualized data center that is accessible, flexible and secure.

Virtualization allows multiple virtual machines to be run on the same hardware, resulting in fewer servers are required overall. This reduces the amount equipment needed, leading to a reduction in cooling, hardware, and power expenses, as well as maintenance costs. It also provides better utilization of existing assets which is a huge benefit for companies looking to be more environmentally responsible in their IT infrastructure. Additionally, VMs are segregated from one another, meaning that the failure of one VM doesn’t affect other VMs or the hardware that is underlying it which adds an element of security for sensitive data. Additionally, scalability is enabled so that adding or eliminating VMs without the requirement to purchase new hardware is accomplished commercial outsourcing quickly. This allows companies to respond to shifting demands for workloads quickly and proactively adapt to the changing technology landscape.