Having a single server running within your office makes it easy to store all business-related files and make it possible for employees to access applications, files, and other important data from anywhere else in the world (just as long as the server is connected to the Internet and not on a closed network). While the individual server is a valuable tool for your business, there will be times when it’s best to have separate partitions of the server, where these partitions can run different operating systems or connect to certain programs that may not be fully compatible with the default OS of the main server.
In the past, to do this partition, you would have needed to install a completely separate server and then integrate it with your current setup. The configuration process alone often proved difficult and led to more than a few headaches. Thankfully, that is no longer an issue you need to deal with. Instead, server virtualization makes this easier than ever before. The beauty of this is you can always add new partitions to your server whenever necessary.
What Is Server Virtualization
In order to understand just how server virtualization can help improve the efficiency of your business, you need first to have a grasp of what the process is and what it does.
Within your office, you have a physical server. During server virtualization, the server is divided into several isolated “virtual” servers. This is done using specific server applications. So, while you only have one physical server, the server virtualization effectively splits it up and gives you the feeling of as many servers as you would like. It is an exceptionally cost-effective method of bringing new servers into your office without actually paying for the installation, creation, and maintenance of a brand-new server.
Now, there may be instances where a new server is needed, although you likely will not run into this kind of issue unless your business works with a considerable amount of data every day.
Benefits of Server Virtualization
The main benefit of having different servers is it gives you flexibility. It makes it possible to dedicate servers for various uses within the business. As mentioned above, this might be for clients in the waiting room, for higher-level employees, or perhaps you want a specific server just for the board of directors. It doesn’t matter what you want the server for; what does matter is you have this kind of flexibility with additional servers.
The benefits of actual server virtualization are, beyond saving money over the purchase and installation of a brand new server, is each new virtual server can function as a stand-alone server. This means the virtual server can run a different operating system and have different applications that might not be native to the main server. This is helpful if you want to run a Linux OS on one server and a Windows server on another. Or you’re crafting applications, and you want dedicated servers to function perfectly with iOS or Android. There’s a level of flexibility and performance virtual servers can give you that a singular server cannot do.
It’s All About Efficiency
The more efficient your business runs, the faster you can complete tasks, the quicker you can assist customers, and the more streamlined the entire company becomes. Server virtualization is all about making it more efficient.
Setting up multiple physical servers is complicated, it takes time, and it is often more of a hassle than it is worth. It can also be challenging to migrate information from one server to another or make sure the right individuals have access to the server. A virtual server makes this problem go away.
Perhaps you want to have a temporary server for a group project or an event taking place within your storefront. Trying to get everything working correctly on a singular server can cause secondary problems with your everyday work. It also opens you up to accidentally making files public that you want to keep private. Because a virtual server functions as a stand-alone server, you won’t accidentally publish confidential information. And then, when you’re all done with the event and don’t need the virtual server any longer, you can have it absorbed by one of the other virtual servers, or you can delete it altogether.
Again, it is all about efficiency and making your life easier. As your business grows, you will need to rely on multiple servers to keep everything running smoothly. The best way to do this is with the aid of server virtualization. Best of all, our team here at Charlotte IT Solutions can help set up all your virtual server needs, no matter how often this might be or what you need the servers for.
Take Advantage of Server Virtualization Today
As your business grows, you will find you need to take advantage of these server partitions. Perhaps there are certain files you only want certain employees to have access to, or you want a server dedicated to customers sitting in your waiting room without granting them access to the entire network (which would put your business at risk). The best way to do this is with the help of server virtualization.
The virtualized partitions make this easy and give you the necessary tools to organize and efficiently run the various areas of your company’s digital footprint. However, if you’re new to the concept, it can be difficult to set up on your own. That is exactly why it is best to take advantage of our team’s services here at Charlotte IT Solutions offer. Whether you only want to split your server into two partitions, or you’re interested in creating several virtual servers to more effectively run your business, we can help. And all you need to do is give us a call today.