Comments on: How to Operate a Virtualized Culture: Organizational Obstacles http://www.linux-mag.com/id/5907/ Open Source, Open Standards Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:22:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.11 by: jeffatrackaid http://www.linux-mag.com/id/5907/#comment-1108 Sat, 24 May 2008 18:47:11 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/5907/#comment-1108 Virtual sprawl is certainly a major issue I've seen in working with web hosting/SaaS providers. One client had a half dozen virtual systems running MySQL. He was worried about security and decided to run on virtual system per database rather than use good security methods on a single database. Anytime MySQL had to be upgraded, they had to update a half dozen systems versus one. Prior to virtualization, they only had 1 MySQL server. I work with many micro/small businesses and many have inquired about virtualization; however, most would benefit little from it due to the small size of their current infrastructure; however, some are influenced by the virtualization marketing pressure. I've advised a wait and see approach. When they need to consolidate, upgrade or otherwise migrate their existing infrastructure, we will evaluate virtualization at that time and establish some real metrics as to the benefits. Virtual sprawl is certainly a major issue I’ve seen in working with web hosting/SaaS providers. One client had a half dozen virtual systems running MySQL. He was worried about security and decided to run on virtual system per database rather than use good security methods on a single database. Anytime MySQL had to be upgraded, they had to update a half dozen systems versus one. Prior to virtualization, they only had 1 MySQL server.

I work with many micro/small businesses and many have inquired about virtualization; however, most would benefit little from it due to the small size of their current infrastructure; however, some are influenced by the virtualization marketing pressure. I’ve advised a wait and see approach. When they need to consolidate, upgrade or otherwise migrate their existing infrastructure, we will evaluate virtualization at that time and establish some real metrics as to the benefits.

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