Delivering on a VMware® platform, PEER 1 Hosting has a virtualisation solution to fit your needs.
Virtualisation is a proven software technology that is rapidly transforming the hosting landscape and fundamentally changing the way businesses compute. VMware virtualisation lets you move away from the traditional "one server, one application" model to running multiple virtual machines on a single physical server.
Today's applications and operating systems use only a fraction of the resources available on a physical server. This means valuable computing power sits idle for long periods of time. VMware virtualisation puts those untapped resources to work for you, and reduces your IT costs while you're at it.
Virtualisation Defined
Virtualisation is defined as the abstraction of objects ("things"), creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of objects - a server, a storage device, etc. For example, when you partition a hard drive into two partitions, C and D, you create virtual drives - the physical hard drive has not changed. Network attached storage (NAS), presents the user with an abstract storage space, a single point of access to data, though in reality NAS contains many drives and tapes hidden from the end user.
In server virtualisation a software layer is inserted directly on the physical server (host) hardware, or on the host operating system. This software (also known as hypervisor or virtual machine monitor), which allocates hardware resources (CPU, RAM, storage and networking), allows a single server to run multiple operating system images at the same time. Each one of these operating system is a ‘virtual server’, a virtual machine is completely compatible with all standard x86 operating systems, applications, and device drivers.
Virtualisation allows higher utilization of servers, which usually run at a fraction of their capacity. By replacing physical servers with virtual servers, and consolidating many (10-20) together, it is possible to reduce data center space, energy, hardware and maintenance personnel. It is easier to move virtual servers between hosts, form high availability, fault tolerance, or other virtual clusters, thus improving business continuity, performance and responsiveness.
Virtual Servers
Virtual servers are an abstraction of physical servers - they are objects that appear and behave just like a physical server, with all its resources (CPU, RAM, storage and networking) and features (root/admin access, a complete operating system, application stack, reboots, etc.). But in reality, multiple virtual servers run side by side on the same piece of hardware, the physical (host) server.
Virtual servers are created by virtualisation - the insertion of software on the host hardware or its operating system that allows a single host to run multiple guest operating system images (guests, or virtual servers) concurrently, without affecting or interfering with each other. Each virtual server can run its own operating system and application stack, and be independently rebooted.
In web hosting, virtual servers play an important role between shared and dedicated servers. Virtual servers have the features of dedicated servers, including the complete control of the user over the server resources and applications, and the isolation from other servers and users. But because of their shared environment, they can be offered at a lower price than a dedicated server. Moreover, virtual server can be moved from host to host quickly, or configured to form virtual clusters for high availability, fail-over, fault tolerance, or advanced functions. All these features improve their stability and responsiveness, reduce down time, and offer end users a better value for a better price.
Virtualisation Hosting
Virtualisation hosting is the practice of using server virtualisation for hosting virtual private servers (VPS, or VDS - virtual dedicated servers). It also refers to leasing servers running virtualisation software in order to offer virtual servers to end users. Virtualisation hosting falls between shared hosting and dedicated hosting, in that the features are identical to dedicated servers (albeit with fewer resources), but the hardware is shared between multiple users (though not as many as the 1000+ encountered in shared hosting), and prices fall between shared and dedicated.
Virtualisation hosting is done by inserting a software layer, or hypervisor, directly on the server hardware (or on top the operating system), and creating slices known as virtual machines (VM) or virtual servers. The hardware is called the host, and the virtual machines are called guests. Each guest VM contains complete resources (such as CPU, memory, operating system and applications) and acts like a physical x86-compatible computer. However, instead of communicating directly with the host server for resources, the guest OS goes through the hypervisor. The host can safely run multiple operating systems at the same time, with the hypervisor allocating resources and monitoring VMs.
Virtualisation hosting end users enjoy all dedicated hosting features at a much lower price. The host benefits from the ability to instantly add resources, run and lease any combination of Windows, Linux or Unix servers on one physical server, and from advanced features (such as high availability and virtual clusters) more readily available with virtual servers.
