selecting the right tool is a vital part of the virtualisation migration process and is intrinsic to a project’s success. However, you can choose the best product and still fail dismally with virtualisation if you don’t plan well. Unfortunately, when it comes to virtualisation, as with most emerging technologies, many companies think that one size fits all, and they use an implementation methodology that isn’t suited to their needs or environment. Some don’t plan at all.
This haphazard approach can doom virtualisation to failure before it even gets off the ground. No two companies are exactly the same; they have different business requirements, their reasons for going virtual may differ, and their IT infrastructures are undoubtedly worlds apart. So, it goes without saying that they’ll need to approach virtualisation differently because a solution and implementation methodology that has worked for one company will not necessarily be right for another.
"For the best shot at success with virtualisation, you need to plan thoroughly before you implement. It’s as simple as that," says van Heerden.
He says it is crucial for companies to understand and know where they are going and what they want to achieve with virtualisation before they even choose a tool – let alone start implementing.
"You need to establish what you are trying to do and what you want from virtualisation. For instance, are you doing it for better and faster back-up and disaster recovery; are you centralising your IT and trying to cutback on servers; are you just trying to save space in your server room or are you doing it to save costs?
"Once you understand your reasons, choose the most appropriate solution and follow best practice in line with what you want to achieve, whether it’s high availability and disaster recovery or consolidation. Expansion and capacity allocation should always be a key factor," advises van Heerden.
Van Heerden points out that virtualisation tools almost never work as advertised; so companies must always plan for contingencies. This is where hardcore experience with virtualisation comes in.
"When companies watch a virtualisation demo, it all looks so easy. But, what the uninitiated don’t understand is that the backend configuration must be done precisely because vendors often build in provisos that must be met in order for the solution to work as advertised or demonstrated.
"If the software isn’t compatible or the backend is not configured as required, the solution won’t work as it should. Getting it right can be complicated and certainly requires experience and skill in virtualisation technology."
On this score, Van Heerden says companies are better off consulting a virtualisation expert rather than the vendor. Then, once the solution is installed and properly configured, it is important for the company’s administrators to get trained and become familiar with the technology.
Van Heerden advises companies to plan to start off small, with the bigger picture in mind, when they first start virtualising their infrastructure.
"Go for the least critical servers first, specifically those which won’t create a huge problem if they fail or those which use minimal CPU such as a dev or test server. Once you have the lower-end servers running in a virtual environment, you can plan your roll-out to your higher-end servers. A staged approach is always the best approach; there’s nothing wrong with going virtual in bite-sized chunks.
"It is vital, as you go along, to document every step. This will be of great help should you need to set it all back up when an issue arises. It will help you to easily overcome the inevitable growing pains as your virtual infrastructure expands. Documenting what you do now is part of planning for the future."
Van Heerden concludes: "While planning is essential for flawless execution, things do not always go 100% as planned. You must be prepared for this. Once again it boils down to planning for contingencies while at the same time ensuring that project milestones are achieved timeously, and keeping a firm eye on the end goal."
Contact Herman van Heerden, Starship Systems, Cell 083 501-8833, h@starshipsystems.com
