Server Virtualization
Abstract
Seamus Company (SC) business operations require the company to have a robust network system to achieve effective product and service delivery to its targeted customers. The growth that SC has experienced since its formation, particularly in the past three years, has seen the company expand its operations by including more business models. Its expansion to incorporate high school students saw Seamus Company introducing new means of selling education materials, including video games, comic books, action figures, board games, and graphic T-shirts. The recommended solution to that Seamus Company can apply to improve its business with emerging technology is integrating server virtualization in its network system. Server virtualization is a technology that divides a single physical server into multiple partitions to multiple server applications.
With the technology, the company can benefit from increased efficiency by dividing the physical server into different virtual servers managed centrally, gain scalability as the virtual server has the ability to accommodate more servers within a less apace, and eliminate downtime by using the VMware. The primary goals for the project include reducing system downtime and improve scalability, improving application control and management, enhancing the company’s ability to better leverage hardware across a variety of domains, improving the efficiency of IT, disaster recovery, and reducing costs associated with server operating and management. The estimated overall costs, including costs associated with software acquisition, license, and labor, is $131500. With the cost provided, Sisco Corporation will be able to provide a virtualized server that will provide solutions to current Seamus Company problems and open the company’s ability to explore and integrate various technologies in the instruction of English language grammar, text mechanics, and general articulate. Sisco Corporation consists of industry certified professionals and consultants with more than ten years of experience in server virtualization and its associated aspects, making it a good selection to deliver the proposed solutions.
Proposed Project for Seamus Company
D1. Proposed Solution
Despite the introduction of new business approaches for products and services, Seamus Company has been experiencing fewer profits from the initiatives. The problems identified that Seamus Company currently faces include network system functionality that results in management issues due to lack of efficiency, scalability, and frequent system downtime. The company system cannot conduct application management, which forced the company to outsource the video game to TechFite, a gaming software company. Another problem facing Seamus Company is the high costs associated with business operations. The current company system does not have the capacity to integrate new and emerging technologies in the instruction of English language grammar, text mechanics, and general articulate or related topics.
Server virtualization has been proposed for Seamus Company to integrate into its network system to eradicate current problems and improve its business operations towards achieving the company goals. Server virtualization technology divides a single physical server into multiple partitions to multiple server applications. Server virtualization will offer Seamus Company with a range of benefits, including reduction of the, sever number that the company could have to achieve the changing business operations (Shoemaker, 2018). With server virtualization, partitioning can be conducted to divide the system into the physical section for server hardware and operating system, and a virtual section for hosting guest operating systems (PRO Oncall, 2018). Another benefit that severs virtualization provides is that Seamus Company will be able to save IT costs associated with hiring IT administration personnel since partitioning allows operating and managing multiple operating systems instances centrally from a single physical server. Server virtualization will also cut down energy consumption due to fewer physical servers for power consumption and eliminate system downtime in case of VM compromise.
D2. Related Works Review
Most business today incorporates server virtualization in the network system to enhance business operations. The performance management features incorporated in server virtualization is considered the main reason for boosting business operations. Uddin & Rahman, 2011, provide some of the benefits that sever vitalization provide to ensure effective and efficient management of business data centers. The authors state that data centers are vital to the organization’s information system’s ability to provide services. Since data centers consume a lot of energy, they propose the implementation of virtualization, which not only will reduce energy consumption but also enhance effective and efficient data center management. According to the authors, virtualization consists of features that create advantages to corporate business operations. One of the discussed features is the server and application consolidation, which consolidate workloads of under-utilized servers on to a single machine. The feature enables the organization to save hardware and software and costs associated with the management and administration of the network infrastructure. Other features of virtualization highlighted are powerful debugging and performance monitoring tools. The installation of the features in the virtual machine monitor provides operating system debugging and fault and error containment, ensuring the operating system does not lose productivity. The features highlighted by Uddin & Rahman, when incorporated in the proposed project, will boost the ability of the performance of the virtualization server and improve company business operations.
According to Annappaiah & Agrawal, 2011, different virtualization technologies and techniques can be implemented in the educational system. The study highlight server virtualization as one of the significant virtualization technologies that can boost the institute’s ability to provide services like curriculum, exams, website and mail services, and online classes. Some of the virtualization techniques that are incorporated in virtualized server technology include VMotion, which provides live migration of a virtual machine from a physical server to another with less downtime. VMotion ensures the system downtime issues are eliminated if a server is compromised. Another technique is the high availability fault tolerance, which ensures the system productivity is not affected in the event of a physical server failure by automatically restarting the affected virtual machines on other operating servers with spare capacity (Annappaiah & Agrawal, 2011). Despite Annappaiah & Agrawal focusing on the application of virtualization in college education, the concepts provided regarding server virtualization are key elements in the proposed project.
The study conducted by Mohamed & el-Khameesy, 2012, is based on the virtualization techniques that enhance IT services. Besides the benefits of several virtualization techniques provided in the study regarding IT services, the study also provides the challenges that should be considered when implementing virtualization technologies and techniques. To ensure the proposed server virtualization project is performing to its best, Sisco Corporation considers some of the virtualization challenges highlighted in Mohamed & el-Khameesy study. The challenges include bandwidth implications, which can cause Denial of Service (DoS) issues. Therefore, Sisco Corporation will ensure that the Seamus Company network bandwidth is capable of sustaining server virtualization requirements to avoid bandwidth implications. Another challenge highlighted is human issues regarding skills and methodologies. Part of the proposed project deliverables includes training the Seamus Company IT staff to have the required set of skills and methods for operating and managing virtualized server technology (Mohamed & el-Khameesy, 2012). The study also highlights security challenges within the virtualized environment. Sisco Corporation will eliminate the security challenge by the installation of security systems for securing point of entry, patching, interconnection points, as well as securing the physical system.
D3. Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables
Goals
a. To reduce system downtime and improve scalability
b. To improve applications control and management
c. To enhance the company ability to better leverage hardware across variety of domains
d. To improve efficiency of IT
e. To improve disaster recover
f. To reduce costs associated with server operating and management.
Objectives and Deliverables
a. Objective 1: Understand the client’s environment: Identify current resource consumption and requirement of current infrastructure
i. Deliverable 1: Perform site survey to gather information on hardware resource utilization. Both current and projected.
ii. Deliverable 2: Determine the amount of interruption (if any) to business activity during implementation, and how to address them.
iii. Deliverable 3: Working knowledge of a virtualized environment
iv. Deliverable 4: Credibility with business application owners as well as IT infrastructure leaders
b. Objective 2: Procurement: Engage with vendors for pricing and licensing.
i. Deliverables 1: Contact partnered VMware sale consultants for a price quote on required software and license.
ii. Deliverable 2: Place order on software and license from best valued vendor
c. Objective 3: Design and Planning: Develop project scope and assemble virtualization team
i. Deliverables 1: Formation of team consisting of consultants and engineers
ii. Deliverables 2: Develop a proof of concept by using a lab environment to test failover and to support technical feasibility
d. Objective 3: Implementation and testing: After presenting the proof of concept, the VM team will coordinate with SC’s IT department to begin implementation. back-up, and convert physical platform to virtual systems
i. Deliverables 1: Back-up and convert server platforms from physical to virtual (P-V)
ii. Deliverables 2: Install and license VMware ESXi product on physical server hosts
iii. Deliverables 3: Mount the previously converted virtual machines ‘VMs’ back on ESXi Host.
iv. Deliverable 4: Verify VMs will still be accessible and monitor resources utilization rate.
v. Deliverables 5: verify fault tolerance is functionality by shutting down physical server
e. Objective 4: Handoff to SC Staff: Complete the handoff after product is complete.
i. Deliverables 1: proper hand-off to SC’s IT team to include all documentations.
ii. Deliverables 2: Ensure SC’s IT team is knowledgeable with and understand the new infrastructure
D4. Projected Timeline
Description of milestone or deliverable Duration Projected start date Anticipated end date
Site survey 6 days April, 15 2020 April 20, 2020
Determining the amount of interruption 2 days April, 21 2020 April, 22 2020
Working knowledge of a virtualized environment 3 days April,23 2020 April, 25 2020
Credibility with business application owners as well as IT infrastructure leaders 5 days April, 27 2020 May, 1 2020
Contacting partnered VMware sale consultants 2 days May, 4 2020 May, 5 2020
Placing order on software and license 3 days May, 6 2020 May, 8 2020
Formation of team consisting of consultants and engineers 8 days May, 4 2020 May, 1 2020
Developing a proof of concept 5 days May, 12 2020 May, 16 2020
Converting server platforms from physical to virtual 20 days May, 18 2020 June, 6 2020
Back-up installation 3 days June, 2 2020 June, 4 2020
Installing and licensing VMware ESXi on physical server hosts 7 days June, 7 2020 June, 13 2020
Mounting the previously converted virtual machines ‘VMs’ back on ESXi Host 3 days June, 15 2020 June, 17 2020
Verify VMs 2 days June, 18 2020 June, 19 2020
Verify fault tolerance is functionality 5 days June, 22 2020 June, 26 2020
Hand-off to SC’s IT team 2 days June, 29 2020 June, 30 2020
Training of SC’s IT team 4 days July, 1 2020 July, 4 2020
D5. Resources and Costs
The server virtualization project resources will include graphic design, media conversion labor, hardware installation labor, software installation labor, licensing, and serve administration labor.
Description Unit Cost Quantity Duration Total
Graphic Design 1 10 days $8000
Media Conversion 2 2 weeks $15000
Application Development Labor 3 2 weeks $70000
Server Administration 2 3 weeks $10500
Software Installer Labor 5 2 weeks $20000
Hardware Installer Labor 5 2 weeks $5000
Licensing 1 5 days $3000
Grand Total $131500
D6. Outcome
The proposed project anticipated outcomes range in various aspects of Seamus Company business operations. The server virtualization is expected to achieve server consolidation, whereby distributed servers of the company will be virtualized and consolidated into a single server. The existing servers of the company will continue to facilitate user server accessibility to application services and products but from a consolidated sever (Pickett, 2019). Another outcome expected from the proposed project is the proper utilization of company assets would be achieved. When servers are distributed, it becomes hard to utilize each living others idle, raising the company management costs without offering value. However, with server virtualization, all servers are consolidated under a single management, which ensures that the idle savers are utilized for other purposes enhancing all-round business functionality. The other expected outcome is the reduction in power, heat, and cooling requirements. Using physically distributed servers requires a high amount of power to energy for power, the problem that can be easily solved by server virtualization. Consolidating distributed servers will ensure the company saves the costs associated with the energy requirement for power, heat, and cooling of the system. The network load is expected to be reduced by the server virtualization since it combines all single boxes freeing bandwidth of the network, thus reducing the network load (Timalsena, 2013). Another expected outcome is fault isolation measures that will ensure the company system downtime is eliminated. In the proses, the VM is compromised, it becomes easy when using server virtualization than the physical server to restart a newer VM that is uncorrupted without interfering with the system functionality.
Measurement Framework
Metric What will be measured Success measurement
Effective resource utilization Effective use of compute resources of up to 50 A range of 43-46 will be considered successful
Complexity in maintaining the system The average respond time of software and hardware for each second for 10 seconds A range of 3-5 will be considered successful
Service degradation in the event of hardware failure The productivity level of operating system compared to 100% functionality A range of 70-90 operating system productivity will be considered successful
Outage duration Network system downtime in 10 minutes time A range of 3-6 minutes will be considered successful
E. Justification and Proposal Highlights
The main problem that Seamus Company is facing is the frequency system downtime that interference the business operations. The company system also is associated with an inability to conduct process efficiency and scalability. The company system cannot integrate various technologies in the instruction of English language grammar, text mechanics, and general articulate or related topics.
The proposed project incorporates the description of current Seamus Company problems. The project proposes server virtualization as it could benefit the company by eliminating system downtime, enhancing scalability, reducing IT costs, cutting down energy consumption, and increasing efficiency. The project covers the process of implementing the server virtualization technology in the Seamus Company network system. The time frame of deliverables is provided with an estimated project implementation period of eighty days. The resource and costs for the proposed project implementation are provided with an estimated implementation cost of $131500.
The proposed project is expected to enhance the Seamus Company system by concerting server platform from physical to virtual, which will enhance the system reliability, efficiency, scalability, and eliminating frequency system downtime through the fault tolerance. Through sever virtualization, the company computes resources will be able to efficiently function with improved security features that server virtualization provide, reduction in the cost of ownership, and improved scalability. Seamus Company’s benefits of integrating server visualization in the business process include the ability to host new and emerging technologies that will enhance the company capable of providing products and services efficiently. The company will also benefit from reduced costs associated with operating and managing multiple operating systems, lowering the number of IT personnel for running the company system and server energy consumption costs. The customers of Seamus Company will benefit from the high availability of products and services.
Therefore, Seamus Company should commit to funding the project since it will improve its chances of furthering the company goals and covering more markets. The scalability feature of the server virtual will enable the company to expand its business operations by incorporating new and emerging technologies that will enable the effective and efficient delivery of products and services. With the proposed project, the company data security will be assured, preventing the possibilities of data loss and internal and external system attacks.
F. Cover Letter
April 7, 2020
Ben Wilson
84 Softwood Road
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 7L6
Sisco Corporation
Mr. Martinez
Seamus Company
Dear Mr. Martinez
I am writing on behalf of Sisco Corporation, a known information technology solution-based organization that provides a variety of emerging technological solutions to support business operations. Sisco respectfully requests your open application for technological enhancement.
As an enterprise that offers technological solutions, we would be glad to provide our services by offering the most efficient and sufficient solution that will provide a solution to your company problems. We propose a virtualized server that will not only improve the ability of your company to integrate new and emerging technologies, but also provide other improvements in the systems such as eliminating system downtime, improving scalability, and system efficiency. The proposed project will also enable the company to reduce costs and secure its network from both internal and external attacks. Our past projects regarding server virtualization have proved to have a huge impact on business operations by improving product and service delivery and profits.
We hope that you will consider our application and proposed project. Sisco Corporation family is looking forward to working with you,
Kindest regards
Name
References
Annappaiah, D., & Agrawal, V. (2011). Virtualization Technologies and Techniques in Education Learning Applications. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/216563926_Virtualization_Technologies_and_Techniques_in_Education_Learning_Applications
Mohamed, H., & el-Khameesy, N. (2012). A Proposed Virtualization Technique to Enhance IT Services. I.J. Information Technology and Computer Science. 12, 21-30. DOI: 10.5815/ijitcs.2012.12.02
Pickett, P. (2019). Server Virtualization. The Balance Carers. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/server-virtualization-a-definition-2071939
PRO Oncall. (2018). How Virtualization Benefits Your Business. Retrieved from https://prooncall.com/virtualization-benefits-business/
Shoemaker, C. (2018). Benefits of Server Virtualization. Tool Box. Retrieved from https://it.toolbox.com/blogs/carmashoemaker/7-benefits-of-server-virtualization-053018
Timalsena, P. (2013). A Study of The impact of Virtualization on Computer Networks. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fbaa/38b8388a8f96a415cef5b0d5c1379ecb164b.pdf
Uddin, M., & Rahman, A. (2011). Virtualization Implementation Model for Cost Effective & Efficient Data Centers. (IJACSA) International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications. Vol. 2, No.1. https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1206/1206.0988.pdf
