Virtual Eloquence

Date: June 2nd, 2010

As virtualization continues to grow in popularity, our clients are asking if Datastream’s software solutions can run in a virtual environment.  The answer is, yes, they can. One of the operating systems under which Eloquence can run is Linux, and Linux can be virtualized.  We are currently using VMware, a registered trademark of VMware, Inc., to run a virtual environment, with Linux and Eloquence included in the mix.

What Is a Virtual Machine?

A virtual machine is a self-contained software environment which runs its own operating systems and applications as if it were one or more hardware servers.  It contains its own virtual CPU, RAM hard disk and network interface cards.  The operating systems and the applications cannot tell the difference between a virtual machine and a physical machine.  In fact, the virtual machine “thinks” it is a physical server.  A virtual machine contains no hardware components whatsoever.

Why Linux and Virtualization?

Linux is an operating system similar to Unix and, like Unix, is supported by Eloquence.  Linux is capable of running in a virtual environment.  Virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run on a single server.  A virtual system configuration can bring down server costs and simplify maintenance and data backup.  System virtualization allows Datastream’s application software to run on any server that supports VMware. 

Benefits

• Isolation from other virtual machines as if physically separated
• Encapsulated as a complete computing environment
• Independent of underlying hardware
• Less hardware required
• Lower hardware costs
• Ability to use standard x86-based servers
• Reduced electricity usage
• Easy software installation
• Ability to backup entire system and restore to any other VMware compatible system with no software changes

If you have hardware that is reaching the point of replacement you may want to consider a virtual server.