David M. Lynch

Virtual machines are wonderful things and server consolidation provides impressive and immediate ROI. However, server virtualization does not come without its challenges. According to Gartner, virtual machine (VM) “sprawl” is the number one concern when it comes to managing VM environments. Is this a valid concern? What does sprawl have to do with managing the life cycle of virtual machines? This article looks at VM sprawl concerns and the role that effective Virtualization Lifecycle Management (VLM) plays in preventing it from occurring in IT environments. What’s So Different About Virtual Servers? Most virtual servers begin by viewing a virtual machine as similar to a physical one, but without the hardware cost. While this may be true at the beginning of a virtualized deployment, it quickly becomes clear that there are a number of significant differences between t... (more)

Virtual Sprawl Is Not the Real Problem

Virtualization Magazine on Ulitzer As organizations ramp up their adoption of server virtualization, more and more are experiencing bottlenecks that slow them down, as well as the need for additional and unplanned funding, usually created by virtual sprawl. But while sprawl is the direct cause of unplanned expenses, it is not the real problem. Rather it's a symptom of something else. While attacking it directly may provide some short-term relief, like salve on an uncomfortable rash, it will come right back if the root causes are not eliminated. This article identifies the true so... (more)