Hypervisors (Term Paper Sample)

Hypervisors
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Hypervisors
Introduction
Also known as the virtual machine manager, a hypervisor is a program that can be used to give room for more than a single operating system to share one hardware host. It makes it possible for each of these operating systems to appear as if they are using the memory, the processor, and all other resources that are provided by the host singly. The hypervisor will control all the resources of the host, which includes allocating all the required resources to all the operating system using the host to ensure that none can disrupt the other.
The technical advantages of using a hypervisor in an enterprise
Hypervisors usually run on servers that are used for both commercial and industrial purposes and they are able to run on extremely big numbers of operating systems all at one time with no extra hardware. This them makes them very useful in virtual networks which are used to share physical resources from a system for example memory, storage media, or other computational capacities. This then makes them very efficient in commercial applications where they allow guests to access operating system over a network for the purposes of either communication or testing. They are also very effective in establishments such as educational centers, companies, and government servers where several different users are able to get their own customized user accounts. This then increases the ease of communication since data can be viewed by the authorized persons from the time when one user uploads to same into their user accounts (Yuval, 2008).
Most of the storage systems that are used to provide replication on their own have the ability to only replicate the whole volume of data. This then means that the virtual machines in such volumes are replicated, even though they could not requires similar levels of protection. Therefore, the remote site is required to have the required size so that it can be in a position to receive all these big volumes. The only way out, in such occurrences, is to come up with several volumes where virtual machines which have different criticalities, which then makes the whole process and the management of storage very complicated. However, using a hypervisor-based replication puts the virtual machines in a position where it will be aware. In places where there are several virtual machines that are sharing the same volume, the system will select some virtual machines that will be replicated. This will then make the whole process of storage very easy and consequently lead to a reduction in the required storage size of the disaster recovery site (George, 2012).
The other advantage of hypervisor is that it is hardware neutral. In most cases, most systems, more so those that are related to storage do require that when one need to replicate their data, they are forced to use storage systems that are related, or similar to their systems. This means that this person will be forced to purchase all theses from similar vendors, and even similar brands. This would significantly leads to an increase in the costs of upgrading. Therefore, a hypervisor system is usually compatible with all types of systems, which makes it easy for the administrator to be more flexible when seeking their solutions. For example, a business enterprise is able to use a large server message block to maintain several storage solutions. They can also use several primary storage systems, sourced from different vendors, and come up with one solo vendor that is used in the disaster recovery site. This would significantly reduce the complex processes that are undergone in maintaining these disaster recovery sites (George, 2012).
Most enterprises are seeking to platforms that do take care of themselves. This can be achieved by developing automated systems which then increases their ease of usage. This, however, should not compromise the security of the security level of the data in the drives and the system as a whole. The potential to perform can then be increased when movement of data is automated. A good example is the hypervisor replication that is used by Drobo. Drobo has a line of products that usually allow the customers to use drives from their own enterprises as they wish, where configuration and expansion are usually automatic. Customers usually purchase only one single unit that they use to deploy virtual machine storage that is then scaled for capacity and its performance (George, 2012).
The technical disadvantages of using a hypervisor in an enterprise
The major disadvantage of using hypervisor is its high risk of insecurity. Some of these systems usually allow users to interact with the virtual machine container which then makes it very easy for these users to copy and use this data on other platforms. This means that the data is not safe, and can be misused on the other platforms where this person uses it. This often increases plagiarism where this information is used by such users on the other platform without giving due credit to the original owner of the same, or even unauthorized circulation of the data. This disadvantage is often very common among the type 2 of the hypervisor (Bredehoeft, 2012).
The disadvantage with type 1 hypervisor is that it requires installation of other components to the hardware so as to facilitate it, such as video cards and boards for imaging. This type 1 hypervisor cannot easily run on very large virtual machines. For example, 1000 ginger bite or a maximum of 32 CPUs can be used in a virtual machine. This then means that the type 1 hypervisor cannot be used on really large virtual machines.
Microsoft (Hyper-V), VMware (ESXi), and Hitachi’s (Virtage)
The architecture of Vmware does limit the number and the times which a person can run the ESX server. Although Vmware has several different products and technologies, most IT specialists do find it very hard for them to actually get what they exactly need since the features aver very expensive and do not have an allowance for integration in between them. This keeps most small to mid-sized organizations and enterprises out of reach of these products. Hyper-V can be easily automated, unlike the others, by either using Windows Management Instrument or Windows Power-Shell.
Hyper-V does let the person using it to easily manage both the virtual and physical environments since it uses deployments, provisions, monitoring, and also backup methods that are commons in both. Vmware has a solution for managers where they are able to utilize not only virtual infrastructure but also virtual centers. These tools are also used to manage them manage hypervisors, their physical resources, and also applications. Hitachi’s Virtage gives an opportunity for IT specialists to have a platform where programs are virtualized in a server and are able to be run in several instances.
The effect of hypervisors on the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) in an enterprise
Generally, hypervisors have largely grown and there is need to consider budgets allocated on the same so that less resources are made use of. The common usage has rendered them a necessity in production computing. The hypervisors have greatly contributed to the development of the inefficient single servers that were in place earlier. Organizations have adopted them to enable efficiency and have become a paramount platform. Following the developments, an interrelation has emerged between servers and storage, for instance the Vmware using SCSI for offloading purposes (Merrill & Heffernan, 2011).
While enterprises embrace the hypervisors, they have to ensure that the total cost of ownership (TCO) they incur allows a profit margin. The activities an enterprise engages in should always meet their sole purpose which is maximization of profit. Where such is not achieved then their efficiency is nullified and thus the need to consider their cost-friendliness. The costs should be identified, measured and enterprises should be allowed a chance to prioritize the same aiming at their reduction. Despite these known costs, several investments are probable to ease enterprises the cost of a virtual machine.
There are four established classes under which the total cost of the hypervisors and virtual machines at large can be viewed. These classes are used in the economic considerations of the same and are as follows;
* Purchase costs
These are those that the enterprise involved incurs only one time unless they require to acquire more or further hypervisors. They are the costs of acquiring a hypervisor and are usually paid to their provider or supplier. The term purchase cost here is cumulative and the possible adding expenses are expounded below.
The first cost comprising the class of purchase is lease expense. This is the cost of depreciation on any hardware or rather on the tangible. Such would be incurred where there is a decrease in the value of the same probably due to other technology arising in the market or functioning failure.
The software purchase involves the cost of acquiring any inclusive non tangible parts of the hypervisor that are vital for its performance. Software depreciation is also inclusive in this particular family. It focuses on cases where the software depreciated in value while awaiting their sale. It is for the enterprise acquiring the hypervisor to incur such. This cost could as well include the costs that are incurred in the logistics that is during the movement of the components of the technology from their source, to the point where they are to be used.
The class also includes all costs that the enterprise bears in the procurement process of the hypervisor. This includes the miscellaneous amounts that accrue to the parties involved in the process. Other petty costs provided they are incurred for ...