A virtual server

 A virtual server

Introduction

A virtual server can simply be defined as the one that shares resources such as the hardware and the software unlike the dedicated web servers. Significantly, this type of data is mostly preferred because it saves on the cost of acquiring a many computers for each server. Instead, a single machine is integrated to accommodate dozens of virtual servers together. The main target of adopting a scalable server at the expense of the normal dedicated server is to improve on the performance. Notably, the more the virtual web servers’ softwares are co-resided the faster it works. However, experience has proved that installing too many virtual servers from the machine can lead to poor speed on the task being performed. A virtual server on the internet helps multiple website owners to access it anytime and administer it. By doing this, they take control and partial rights making them behave as if they are the real owners of the web server. Importantly, virtualization helps in creating opportunities to the website owners who claim to have access to those websites. For instance, virtualization assigns individuals and companies their own IP addresses and domain names. Secondly, with the help of virtual servers the connected computers are in a position to add addressee assignments, email and other accounts and administer file directories. Thirdly, server virtualization aids in passwords maintenance and the management of logs and statistics. This paper sheds light on the process of coming up with a scalable server environment whose operation favors the accommodation of more than 100000 users. In this case, virtualization of server is discussed in detail.

Server Virtualization

In this platform of virtualization, everything is set in the current real world situation and therefore all works focus on the implementation of the technology. Server virtualization has helped in changing the overwhelming world dilemma of server sprawl by consolidating all the servers. As it has been recently reported, most of the companies are running out of space of accommodating single machine servers.  This issue has drawn a lot of interest on machine server virtualization. Typically, each server performs one function hence presence of Enterprise Resource Planning server, mail server, file server and internet servers among others. As result, organizations end up accommodation too many physical servers at a particular time. With virtualization of servers in place, the situation is eased by 70 to 80 per cent on the extent of space required to host servers for various purposes.

Virtual server platform and method

The idea behind server virtualization is enabling a variety of servers to access resources being shared by one universal server. This software enables a company to host a good number of applications and operating systems operating in remote areas and those held locally. One of the best advantages of server virtualization is that, it helps in converting a physical server into a virtual one by enabling all tasks to operate from a hard drive. This reduces the problem of server physical migration and continuous configuration by booting up and running automatically. Currently, there are three methods of server virtualization. These include Para-virtualization, Full virtualization and OS-virtualization. To start with is the full virtualization that uses special software called the hypervisor which can consolidates the physical server’s CPU and the disc space for storage. This serves as a very critical platform for all virtual servers’ operating systems. Significantly, the hypervisor in the full virtualization keeps all the consolidated virtual servers in one machine completely unique and unaware of each other.

The second method is the Para-virtualization whereby all the guest servers are aware of one another. Actually, in this type of virtualization, no much power is required to run the system. Since there is sharing of information among the operating systems of the connected servers, the hypervisor in this platform performs fewer operations to enable physical server to function as a cohesive unit. The third method of virtualization is the OS-level which does not use hypervisor at all but its uniqueness of virtualization of the host OS provides opportunity to perform full functions of the hypervisor. However, the biggest challenge of the OS-level is that, for multiple servers to function successfully, they must run the same OS. Although the servers are independent on one another, one cannot mingle their operating systems as this will lead to the malfunctioning of the whole system. Since this platform uses similar operating systems for all, it is sometimes referred to as the homogeneous operating systems.

The best method to accommodate 100,000 users

The number of peak users to be accommodated by a particular virtualization method greatly depends on the network needs of the administrator.