Cost Reduction With Cloud Computing And Virtualization On Server

Question: Discuss about the Cost Reduction With Cloud Computing And Virtualization On Server Deployment. Answer: Introduction According to Malhotra et al. (2014), cloud computing is an emerging technology based on shared infrastructure and virtualization models. Basically, cloud computing involves apportioning computing resources over the Internet and is among the most advantageous technology extensively used globally. Virtualization on the other hand, plays a key role in cloud computing by providing computing services and virtual storage for customers. This literature review discusses the significance of virtualization and cloud computing especially in server deployment and also examines ways to reduce costs on installing them. Virtualization in Cloud Computing National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) define cloud computing as a model for permitting universal, appropriate, network access to computing resources including networks, storage, servers, applications, product and services. Cloud computing services are provided in form of three major standardized models including Software as a Service (SaaS), the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) models. Virtualization on the other hand, enables several Virtual Machines (VMs) to run on a single physical machine usually referred to as a host machine and share its resources. This enables a sole physical computer to host several virtual machines, applications and operating systems minus additional costs and difficulties that may result from executing many physical servers on their own (Tupakula Varadharajan, 2011). Efficient cloud computing requires virtualization. Cloud Computing and Virtualization in Amazon One of the leading web services provider, Amazon offers computing services and products at a large scale. According to Brodkin (2009), Amazon Web Services, is among the major pace setters in web based computing providing data storage space, cloud computing services, general products and simple queue services which is a hosted service for stowing messages transiting among devices on the network. In 2006, Amazon launched the Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) a cloud computing platform before its opponents (Brodkin, 2009). EC2 depends on virtualization to implement its instances. SQL Server deployment in a Virtualized Environment Microsoft SQL Server, usually offered in two core editions including standard and enterprise is gradually being installed in virtualized settings (Sarddar Bose, 2014). SQL Server provides extended virtualization options, and provides better elasticity and flexibility for consumers and businesses deploying applications in virtual environments (Microsoft Corporation, 2017). In deploying SQL Server applications in virtualized environments, consumers can choose either to license single virtual machines as required, or license for highly virtualized, dynamic environments and private clouds. With virtualization the number of servers required to process a specific amount of workload is reduced. It may seem like implementing virtualization technology is expensive at first, since SQL Server licensing is still required if not using the SQL Server Enterprise Edition, but the benefits pay off later (Campbell, 2015). Therefore with virtualization, an organization will only use and license the ne cessary SQL Server processing power generally reducing overall cost. Not implementing virtualization will hence increase overall costs to almost double. Processor Speeds and Server Performance According to Campbell (2015), organizations need to purchase and utilize expensive processors in order to save costs when deploying and licensing physical servers. If the servers are licensed for each core, then it is better to ensure the high speed processors go with them. Buying cheaper average speed processors would not be a good balancing mechanism for the server deployment and effectiveness. Significance of Virtualization in Cloud Computing Virtualization conceptualizes computing resources Virtualization allows quick resource scaling Without virtualization, cloud computing is difficult and inefficient Cloud effectiveness is available in virtualized settings Review Analysis Virtualization as a technology is very significant to modern cloud computing infrastructure. Virtualized infrastructure delivers abstraction layers among computing hardware, networking hardware, storage hardware and the all applications running on it. However, virtualization is not a faultless solution because it brings challenges on security and enterprise systems management. Cost Considerations To be able to reduce costs in server deployment, businesses should ensure they are running the right edition depending on their business needs and requirements. Perform database compression to reduce the storage space required by the servers and perform backup. Perform server consolidation procedures to enable the processing of the same amount of workload on much fewer server applications. Server consolidation can be done in several ways including workloads integration, merging many server instances, and virtualization. These usually reduce the number of servers necessary at the same time reducing the required server licenses. This greatly reduces total operation and processing costs for businesses. Challenges with Cloud computing and Virtualization A number of challenges exist with both virtualization and cloud computing. Security remains to be a major issue in these technologies. Other issues include network and storage problems, core support and VMs management (Soluade Opara, 2013). Further research and review is therefore recommended by the researcher, to look into existing security features for both, study and propose better security frameworks in the future. Conclusion Theres no denying that emerging technologies have greatly improved business functions. Cloud computing has allowed business enterprises to store, access, update data and info in one place. Though different, cloud computing and virtualization form a symbiotic relationship and one is only better implemented with the other. Businesses are continually taking up strides to embrace technology such as emerging technologies in a bid to thrive and survive. As such, the demand to install and utilize emerging technologies is on the rise. However, organizations need to weigh their IT asset deployment measures since they are diverse and costly. It is important that businesses select the best and manageable measures in terms of cost, performance and processing workload requirements. References Brodkin, J. (2009). 10 cloud computing companies to watch. Retrieved from https://www.networkworld.com/article/2268033/virtualization/virtualization-10-cloud-computing-companies-to-watch.html Campbell, M. (2015) SQL Server PRO: Save Thousands in Licensing Costs for SQL Server Always On Availability Groups. Retrieved from https://sqlmag.com/blog/save-thousands-licensing-costs-sql-server-alwayson-availability-groups Gurav, U., Shaikh, R. (2010). Virtualization A key feature of cloud computing. Proceedings of the International Conference and Workshop on Emerging Trends in Technology (ICWET 2010) (pp. 227-229). Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: Association for Computing Machinery Microsoft Corporattion. (2017). Microsoft SQL Server Licensing Guide (2017). Malhotra, L., Agarwal, D., Jalswal, A. (2014). Virtualization in Cloud Computing. J Inform Tech Softw Eng 4: 136. doi:10.4172/2165-7866.1000136. Ryan, S., Jiangchuan, L. (2012). Understanding the Impact of Denial of Service Attacks on Virtual Machines. Journal of the IEEE. Soluade, O., Opara, E. (2013). Effect of Virtualization on Enterprise Network, Server/Desktop Systems on Small and Mid-Size Businesses (SMB). Retrieved from https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009context=jitim Tupakula, U., Varadharajan, V. (2011). Trusted Virtual Domain Security. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), 57-63.