Although server virtualisation is not currently as widespread as many presume, the market is growing rapidly, according to Gartner, Inc. Only 16 per cent of workloads are running in virtual machines today, but Gartner predicts that this will rise to around 50 per cent of x86 architecture server workloads by the end of 2012, representing approximately 58 million deployed machines.
Gartner provided the latest outlook for the server virtualisation market during Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, which is taking place in Orlando through 22 October and in Cannes on 2-5 November. Gartner said server virtualisation technology enables multiple operating system (OS) instances to be deployed, operated and managed concurrently on a single physical server.
Gartner said that the fastest growing market for virtual machines is the small business sector.
"While large organisations were quick to leverage virtual machines to reduce server sprawl and power costs, as well as conserve data-centre space, small business started late on virtualisation," said Tom Bittman, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner. "However, by year-end 2010, businesses with 100-999 employees will have a higher penetration of virtual machines deployed than the Global 500. For years the entry point was simply too high for small businesses, but increased competition by server vendors has enabled smaller firms to embrace virtualisation."
Gartner advocates a 'start small, think big' approach to virtualised server deployments that begins with a specific project but builds towards a wider strategic plan that includes management and process changes.
"Starting small both reduces risk and provides for a learning curve while building the foundations for sustainable reductions in total cost of ownership (TCO) and improvements in service quality," Mr Bittman said. "The other aspect, 'thinking big', means it's important to proactively plan ahead for the major process and management changes virtualisation brings - not to mention how virtualisation is a path to cloud computing."
Looking into the future at how server virtualisation will evolve, Mr Bittman said it was important to understand that virtualisation is not cloud computing, but it enables and forces the same changes required to effectively leverage cloud computing and as such, virtualisation leads inexorably to cloud computing.
"What many organisations fail to recognise about virtualisation is that the most important changes aren't technological, they are cultural," said Mr Bittman. "Virtualisation forces users to let go of the physical implementations of their services, and deal with their provider in terms of service levels and results. When a provider becomes a cloud-computing provider, users need to do a more complete job of describing their requirements in service terms."
Gartner analysts will examine latest virtualisation trends at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2009, 2-5 November, in Cannes, France. Additional information is available at www.gartner.com/eu/symposium
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About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the industry's largest and most important annual gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives. This event delivers independent and objective content with the authority and weight of the world's leading IT research and advisory organization, and provides access to the latest solutions from key technology providers. Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of attendees' annual planning efforts. They rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use IT to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency. More information can be found at www.gartner.com/us/symposium.
Gartner provided the latest outlook for the server virtualisation market during Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, which is taking place in Orlando through 22 October and in Cannes on 2-5 November. Gartner said server virtualisation technology enables multiple operating system (OS) instances to be deployed, operated and managed concurrently on a single physical server.
Gartner said that the fastest growing market for virtual machines is the small business sector.
"While large organisations were quick to leverage virtual machines to reduce server sprawl and power costs, as well as conserve data-centre space, small business started late on virtualisation," said Tom Bittman, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner. "However, by year-end 2010, businesses with 100-999 employees will have a higher penetration of virtual machines deployed than the Global 500. For years the entry point was simply too high for small businesses, but increased competition by server vendors has enabled smaller firms to embrace virtualisation."
Gartner advocates a 'start small, think big' approach to virtualised server deployments that begins with a specific project but builds towards a wider strategic plan that includes management and process changes.
"Starting small both reduces risk and provides for a learning curve while building the foundations for sustainable reductions in total cost of ownership (TCO) and improvements in service quality," Mr Bittman said. "The other aspect, 'thinking big', means it's important to proactively plan ahead for the major process and management changes virtualisation brings - not to mention how virtualisation is a path to cloud computing."
Looking into the future at how server virtualisation will evolve, Mr Bittman said it was important to understand that virtualisation is not cloud computing, but it enables and forces the same changes required to effectively leverage cloud computing and as such, virtualisation leads inexorably to cloud computing.
"What many organisations fail to recognise about virtualisation is that the most important changes aren't technological, they are cultural," said Mr Bittman. "Virtualisation forces users to let go of the physical implementations of their services, and deal with their provider in terms of service levels and results. When a provider becomes a cloud-computing provider, users need to do a more complete job of describing their requirements in service terms."
Gartner analysts will examine latest virtualisation trends at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2009, 2-5 November, in Cannes, France. Additional information is available at www.gartner.com/eu/symposium
Follow Gartner
Follow news, photos and video coming from Gartner Symposium/ITxpo on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/.... FriendFeed at http://friendfeed.com/..., on Twitter at http://twitter.com/..., on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/...@N07/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/....
About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the industry's largest and most important annual gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives. This event delivers independent and objective content with the authority and weight of the world's leading IT research and advisory organization, and provides access to the latest solutions from key technology providers. Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of attendees' annual planning efforts. They rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use IT to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency. More information can be found at www.gartner.com/us/symposium.
