GOVirtual
Computing Gone Green
Virtualization is thinking—and computing, out of the box. Information Services is offering GOVirtual, a new server virtualization solution that deploys computing environments where and when they are needed. Virtualization software segments one server into multiple servers with multiple operating systems. Going virtual is going green—reducing power consumption, rack space and network ports. At the same time the campus benefits from a more redundant and flexible hosting environment.
Going Green
"Going green was one of the reasons we were interested in virtual computing," says Dave Spanel, IS Project Manager for GOVirtual."If you buy a server to host an application, you never make full use of it. Think of all of those physical boxes across campus drawing power and taking up physical space. Then factor in the cost of keeping all those boxes cool during a hot Nebraska summer. There are real savings to be found in a virtual environment."
Flexibility, rapid deployment
"When a developer conventionally sets up their application, they first go out and buy a server,"says Lisa Bogus, IS Systems Administrator for GOVirtual. "After receiving the equipment, it then takes several hours to configure and install an operating system. With GOVirtual, the client doesn't need to buy a physical box. We can deploy a fully operational virtual server (Windows, Linux or Unix) in a fraction of the time."
"With GOVirtual, the client doesn't need to buy a physical box. We can deploy a fully operational virtual server (Windows, Linux or Unix) in a fraction of the time."
There are several other benefits to developers. GOVirtual also allows application developers to clone their servers, creating exact duplicates in which they can test new features or software patches. "We can create a 'snapshot' of a client's virtual server," says Bogus."If they apply an upgrade and it fails, they can revert back to the system at the time of the snapshot and they haven't lost their application."
Disaster Recovery
Virtualization also creates a more robust and redundant computing environment. "The snapshot feature is also key to successfully restoring service after a disaster," says Spanel."Normally, if a server crashes-it's down. If one of our physical servers goes down, our clients automatically migrate over to one of the other servers. They won't miss a beat." GOVirtual is also replicated in data centers on both City and East Campus.
For more information go to:
http://is.unl.edu/govirtual
