Hello,
I've asked for one server to run VMware Server and 3 VMs.
I kind of got a 'yes,' plus a request for what it costs for 3 single servers.
So far I have thought of several advantages of virtualizing:
1. Less power usage (700 or 800 watts vs. 2100 to 2400 watts)
2. Less heat (a/c in server room doesn't have to work so hard, saves $$)
3. More complete usage of CPU and RAM (dual Xeons, 8 GB RAM), should easily do 3 VMs (SharePoint WSS 3.0 front end, SQL Server 2005, WSUS)
4. Less noise (smile! I know it's not that important! smile!)
5. About 25% less money for one server vs. 3 single servers -- they have the funds to buy 3 boxes if they want
6. One less UPS I have to buy
7. Less backup software to buy -- use the VBscript backup routine developed by someone here for Windows hosts (I prefer Linux host but Windows host will be 50% cheaper)
8. Same number of Win2k3 licenses
9. This server will have headroom to add a 4th server by adding more RAM
10. Easier to do disaster recovery so long as the VM has been backed up (to NAS)
11. More consistent installation and less maintenance by using 'master template' for the OS and same drivers (even if all three single servers are the same, they would have different amounts of RAM, hard drives, etc.)
Can anyone else offer ideas or suggest where I can look for more ideas??
Thank you, Tom