Sameer Naik Posts

Any discussion of virtualization typically ends in clicking glasses and high fives, heated discussions or slap fights, but it almost always begins with VMware, as does this list. These top 10 virtualization vendors deliver the best virtualization software solutions on the market today. Virtualization technology is all the rage, but which product is right for your organization? Learn the 10 virtualization vendors that deliver the best software solutions. You might not require every bit and byte of programming they're composed of, but you'll rejoice at the components of their feature sets when you need them. These solutions scale from a few virtual machines that host a handful of Web sites, virtual desktops or intranet services all the way up to tens of thousands of virtual machines serving millions of Internet users. Virtualization and related cloud services account for an estimated 40 percent of all hosted services. If you don't know all the names on this list, it's time for an introduction.

1. VMware

Find a major data center anywhere in the world that doesn't use VMware, and then pat yourself on the back because you've found one of the few. VMware dominates the server virtualization market. Its domination doesn't stop with its commercial product, vSphere. VMware also dominates the desktop-level virtualization market and perhaps even the free server virtualization market with its VMware Server product. VMware remains in the dominant spot due to its innovations, strategic partnerships and rock-solid products.

2. Citrix

Citrix was once the lone wolf of application virtualization, but now it also owns the world's most-used cloud vendor software: Xen (the basis for its commercial XenServer). Amazon uses Xen for its Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) services. So do Rackspace, Carpathia, SoftLayer and 1and1 for their cloud offerings. On the corporate side, you're in good company with Bechtel, SAP and TESCO.

3. Oracle

If Oracle's world domination of the enterprise database server market doesn't impress you, its acquisition of Sun Microsystems now makes it an impressive virtualization player. Additionally, Oracle owns an operating system (Sun Solaris), multiple virtualization software solutions (Solaris Zones, LDoms and xVM) and server hardware (SPARC). What happens when you pit an unstoppable force (Oracle) against an immovable object (the Data Center)? You get the Oracle-centered Data Center.

4. Microsoft

Microsoft came up with the only non-Linux hypervisor, Hyper-V, to compete in a tight server virtualization market that VMware currently dominates. Not easily outdone in the data center space, Microsoft offers attractive licensing for its Hyper-V product and the operating systems that live on it. For all Microsoft shops, Hyper-V is a competitive solution. And, for those who have used Microsoft's Virtual PC product, virtual machines migrate to Hyper-V quite nicely.

5. Red Hat

For the past 15 years, everyone has recognized Red Hat as an industry leader and open source champion. Hailed as the most successful open source company, Red Hat entered the world of virtualization in 2008 when it purchased Qumranet and with it, its own virtual solution: KVM and SPICE (Simple Protocol for Independent Computing Environment). Red Hat released the SPICE protocol as open source in December 2009.

6. Amazon

Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is the industry standard virtualization platform. Ubuntu's Cloud Server supports seamless integration with Amazon's EC2 services. EngineYard's Ruby applicationservices leverage Amazon's cloud as well.

7. Google

When you think of Google, virtualization might not make the top of the list of things that come to mind, but its Google Apps, AppEngine and extensive Business Services list demonstrates how it has embraced cloud-oriented services.

8. Virtual Bridges

Virtual Bridges is the company that invented what's now known as virtual desktop infrastructure or VDI. Its VERDE product allows companies to deploy Windows and Linux Desktops from any 32-bit or 64-bit Linux server infrastructure running kernel 2.6 or above. To learn more about this Desktop-as-a-Managed Service, download the VERDE whitepaper.

9. Proxmox

Proxmox is a free, open source server virtualization product with a unique twist: It provides two virtualization solutions. It provides a full virtualization solution with Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) and a container-based solution, OpenVZ.

10. Parallels

Parallels uses its open source OpenVZ project, mentioned above, for its commercial hosting product for Linux virtual private servers. High density and low cost are the two keywords you'll hear when experiencing a Parallels-based hosting solution. These are the two main reasons why the world's largest hosting companies choose Parallels. But, the innovation doesn't stop at Linux containerized virtual hosting. Parallels has also developed a containerized Windows platform to maximize the number of Windows hosts for a given amount of hardware.

Sunday, 14 September 2014

Server buying tips

Purchasing a server for any business is a very big decision, and if not done properly, can reduce productivity or cause loss of money in the business. Below is information and help for what to look out for when purchasing a computer server. It is important to also note that every business is unique and may require more or less of what is listed below.

New vs. Used

Purchasing a new or used server or server equipment can be a method of saving the company additional money; however, it can cause lost money if that hardware or server does not meet the company's needs. When looking at purchasing a used main server or file server for a computer network, ensure that the server is going to meet the company's needs as far as performance and reliability. Unless the perfect used solution is found, we highly recommend purchasing a new main server, file server, network server or database server, as it has the latest hardware innovations as well as have a warranty, which allows parts to be replaced or repaired within a short period of time, keeping the network up and running.

However, other servers such as a print server or hardware such as a router or firewall can be purchased as used and meet most companies' needs.

What to look for

When purchasing a server, it is important that either the company or the network administrator consider the following:

Case and rack

When looking at the case or rack, look at the expandability as well as the accessibility of hardware. Determine how may drive bays if any are available as far as what drive bays (5.25" vs. 3.5") or available hard drive bays in the computer.

Drives

Hard drive

The available amount of disk space on the server can be an important consideration especially if the server is going to be a file or network server. Consider the space requirements needed for the operating system, applications, tools, utilities, web pages, files, and user settings.
When also looking at the hard drive, it is important to look at the hard drive interface. The majority of all servers today use either SATA or SCSI hard drives.

CD-ROM

CD-ROM is not a critical item for most servers as it is usually only used to install additional software onto the server.

Backup

For all networks, backup is and should be an important consideration. Most companies need important data, such as company or customer related information, backed up on a daily basis. When looking at a backup solution, consider the following.

Is backup available with the server, if so what is it?
If available, what is the capacity of the medium?
If available, how fast is the medium (how long does it take to backup 4 gig for example).

Memory

Memory is and has always been an important consideration when looking at purchasing a server or any computer. Determine the amount of memory included in the server as well as verify if that memory can be upgraded in the future. It is recommended that at least 512MB of Memory be installed into the network or file server.

Network card

With the increase with more than one computer in the house and with broad band solutions, sometimes requiring a network card a network card is becoming an important consideration when purchasing a computer. Network cards allow users to connect to other computers and have small networks in their home or office. This allows for data transfer, file sharing, Internet connection sharing, printer sharing and other helpful uses.

Operating system

When setting up a new network verify the operating system or networking software is included with the server. If no operating system is included with the computer, verify what operating systems have been tested with the computer. For example: Novell, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Unix, Solaris, Linux, SCO... Etc.

It is also important that when setting up a network that the operating systems being installed or included is something that the network administrator is familiar with or requires for compatibility with other software.

Power

For large networks or servers, power may be an important consideration. Look at the available amount of power supplies as well as the capacity of each of the power supplies.

Additionally, if you believe power may be an issue in the future, look at the availability of upgrading or adding additional power supplies to the server.

Processor

The computer processor and the amount of processors the computer can support is one of the most important considerations when looking at a server. When looking at the server, consider the following:

What processor is included? (Intel Pentium, Intel Xeon, Digital or other).
How many processors can the server support? (2, 4, 8 or more).

Brand of computer

When looking at purchasing any brand of computer you will hear good and bad stories. Regardless if the story is good or bad, these stories are always based on the experience of that user. While it may be true that the user had a bad or terrible experience with that computer, all computer manufactures have had users who have had a bad experience and there is no such thing as a bad or perfect computer manufacturer. Below is a listing of various things to consider when purchasing a computer and in some cases how to tell the good from the bad.

Documentation

Verify if the server or networking device comes included with documentation. While most hardware, such as a router or hub, will not require documentation for most network administrators it is important that a server be included with some documentation that help with configuring the server or server components. This comes in real helpful for configuring jumpers and upgrade information.

Location

We use location as a description to describe different topics. First, what is the location of where the network hardware or server is purchased: If the network hardware or server is purchased at a local retail store, can the network hardware or server be returned if unsatisfactory or incompatible to that store? If the network hardware or server is purchased through mail order or directly through the computer manufacturer or reseller, where can the network hardware or server be returned if unsatisfactory or incompatible?

Second, can the store location of where the network hardware or server was purchased service the purchased product? If not, where is the closest location to where it can be serviced?

Third, if the network hardware or server is purchased directly from the computer manufacturer and is shipped through mail, how is it shipped? What is the time period for the network hardware or server to arrive to your destination? What happens if the network hardware or server is damaged during shipping?

Return

Verify you can get money refund for the network hardware or server. Many computer manufacturers will not refund your money but instead may offer an exchange for another product of similar qualities. Verify with the manufacturer or the reseller what their return, refund, and exchange policy is.

Service

Service is an important consideration to look at when looking to purchase a networking hardware or a server. The service is how many companies describe the repair of the device purchased if it's to become unusable. Below is a listing of some examples of services.

Is the service onsite, meaning a technician will come to your location to replace or fix a bad component. If the service is onsite, is it for the complete time of the warranty? Finally, if onsite is offered because it is likely this will be a network critical component, what is the time frame for the repair to be completed and can it be done 7 days a week 24 hours a day?
If onsite is not offered, what is and for how long?
Are their local service centers that may stock the potentially bad part or stock parts that can be used to exchange the part that has gone bad? If yes, what are their hours and availability?

Support

Manufacturer support for most companies is an important consideration as if an issue arises with the computer you must be able to contact a support representative. Things to consider when looking at the support options of a computer are listed below.

Is support open 24 hours, 7 days a week? If not, what are the hours, or is a paging service available?
Is support open on holidays? If not, what days are it closed, and the days that they are closed is a paging service available?
What support options are available? Phone? E-mail? Web? Chat? Pager?

Upgrade

While this option may not be considered at first when purchasing a computer, it is an important consideration. Below is a listing of different options to look for when looking to upgrade a computer.

What can be upgraded in the computer? RAM? CPU? Hard Drive? Video Card? If available to upgrade, what are the maximum amounts or is it specified within documentation provided with the computer?
Does the computer have on-board hardware such as an on-board Network or SCSI? If yes, can these be disabled with a jumper or through CMOS. This is important as many computer will disable the device when a new device is added. However, this does not always work and may cause future issues. Ensure it can be disabled and that it is not a device that auto-disables.

Warranty

Finally, what warranty is offered by the computer manufacturer? How long is the warranty? Does the warranty cover both hardware and software issues?

What To Consider When Buying a New PC or Server For Your Company

You've decided to purchase a new personal computer (PC) or server for your office. Perhaps you've hired a new employee who needs a workstation, or you've decided it's time to get a server so you can have one central location for your data. Whatever the case, one question haunts you: Where do you start?

There are so many choices, it can be a full-time job to sift through all of the information and determine what you need. Whether purchasing a PC or server, there are two main options: Buy a "white box" (also known as a clone, or a "generic version") or buy a brand name.

While each has pros and cons, it is widely known that clone computers are harder to support and require more time to repair than brand name computers. It's one thing if you like to tinker and have all the time in the world to configure a computer, but it is another thing to run one's business on someone else's hobby.

Of course, determining which brand name computer to purchase is another matter. Some helpful guides to check out are Consumer Reports and Computer Shopper magazine at your local newsstand for reviews on various brand names.

Since every business' specific requirements are different, no single article can tell you what to get for your office. However, we can provide tips to get you started in the right direction. For specific recommendations regarding what hardware and software you might need, seek advice from a professional IT consulting firm.

Important Considerations for PC and Server Purchases

Find a reputable brand name which uses reputable hardware manufacturers.
Most brand name manufacturers come with great warranties, online support resources and service agreements. While you hope you won't need them, it's nice to know there are provisions for service and replacement parts if necessary.
Flexibility.
As your company grows, you will likely need to expand your network and capabilities. Find out how flexible the products are and if they will be able to grow with you and your business.
Compatibility.
How will your new PC or server integrate with existing hardware, software, etc? You may discover you need to invest more than you thought you would initially. Don't be afraid of this conclusion. It is better to know now what you need to grow your business than to find out later that what you hoped to be able to do is stunted because of insufficient hardware.

When do I need a server?

Knowing when it's time to buy a new PC is fairly cut and dry. Knowing when/if you need a server can be harder to determine. Mike Carpenter, Director of IT Services, at Corporate Computer Services points out some indicators that suggest you may need a server:

Do you have more than five workstations?
Are your backup's dependent upon daily intervention?
Are your critical Operating System and antivirus updates dependant upon daily intervention?
Are your critical files located in different locations of your network?
When you make network changes do you need to do this at each workstation?
Do you want your files/data to be secure and only accessible to those whom you specifiy?

According to Kim Komando, host of the largest talk-radio show about computers and the Internet, it's time for a server when you answer "yes" to any of the following questions:

Are there snags in your workflow?
Do two or more people use the same database?
Would operations slow down or stop, even for a small amount of time, if one computer were to crash?
Do you or your employees need access to email and files on the road?

As for the advantages of a server, she highlights the following:

Disaster Recovery, Antivirus, Email, User Administration, Data and Network Security can all be centrally managed.This makes network administration easier and thereby less expensive to maintain.
The server can be the primary backup point. Instead of burning data files on disks, you can quickly move them across the network.
You can host your own e-mail. This allows you to have your own domain and unique e-mail addresses. An e-mail address of john.doe@johndoeinsurance.com is more professional than john.doe.insurance@igotafreeinternetaccount.com. Also, most e-mail software allows you to maintain network-wide address books, mailing lists and calendars.
You gain more control over all that annoying spam. An employee who opens an infected attachment could easily infect all of your computers. But when hosting your own e-mail, you can filter it so that the good stuff comes in and most of the bad stays out.
You gain a higher level of security. By requiring computer users to log in and authenticate on a domain, the server dictates who has access to what.
You can deploy new software applications more easily through a network. You also can standardize your applications and versions, and make better use of the software you have.

Now that you know whether you need a PC, server, or both, it's time to address hardware and software considerations for each. It is important to understand what functions you need your computer or server to perform in order to determine which hardware and software you need.

Hardware and Software Considerations for PCs

You may see a brand name PC advertised on TV or in the mail with a price that seems too good to be true. It probably is. Most likely, the price does not include necessary hardware and software configured for a networked office environment.

Below is a list of some basic things to consider when purchasing a workstation (PC):

Is this for home or the office?
What role will this workstation (PC) serve?
Are the tasks to be completed by the workstation (PC) basic or complicated?
What operating system do you need?
Depending on its role and purpose you will need to select the appropriate hard drive size, ram, video card and monitor size.
If your computer is to be part of a network, you will need to make sure it has a network card.
What tasks do you need to perform: word processing, spreadsheet calculations, photo editing?
At what level do you need to do the above tasks, basic or advanced? This might determine the specific application you need.
There are many other accessories and peripherals that require some consideration such as:

Do you need to burn/view CD's or DVD's?
Do you need to be able to scan or print from this workstation(PC)?
Do you need to connect to a financial institute? You may need a modem.
Do you need to connect more than one monitor to this workstation (PC)?

For clarification of some of the terms listed above, please check out www.whatis.com.

The definitions you will read in the following sections are credited to this website which is described as a "self-education tool about information technology, especially about the Internet and computers. It contains over 4,500 individual encyclopedic definition/topics, a number of "Fast Reference" pages and learning tools."

Consider the following with regard to components, peripherals and speed:

Processor and Speed: Essentially the brain of a computer, a processor is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic instructions that drive a computer. Instructions are the orders given to a processor by a computer program. The term processor has generally replaced the term central processing unit (CPU).
Hard Drive Memory: In a personal computer, a hard disk drive (HDD) is the mechanism that controls the positioning, reading, and writing of the hard disk, which furnishes the largest amount of data storage for the PC. Although the hard disk drive (often shortened to "hard drive") and the hard disk are not the same thing, they are packaged as a unit and so either term is sometimes used to refer to the whole unit. Are you storing information primarily on this machine or your server? How many programs do you have and what hardware and RAM requirements do they demand?
RAM memory: RAM (random access memory) is the place in a computer where the operating system, application programs, and data in current use are kept so that they can be quickly reached by the computer's processor. RAM is much faster to read from and write to than the other kinds of storage in a computer, the hard disk, floppy disk, and CD-ROM. However, the data in RAM stays there only as long as your computer is running. When you turn the computer off, RAM loses its data. When you turn your computer on again, your operating system and other files are once again loaded into RAM, usually from your hard disk.

RAM can be compared to a person's short-term memory and the hard disk to the long-term memory. The short-term memory focuses on work at hand, but can only keep so many facts in view at one time. If short-term memory fills up, your brain sometimes is able to refresh it from facts stored in long-term memory. A computer also works this way. If RAM fills up, the processor needs to continually go to the hard disk to overlay old data in RAM with new, slowing down the computer's operation. Unlike the hard disk which can become completely full of data so that it won't accept any more, RAM never runs out of memory. It keeps operating, but much more slowly than you may want it to.
Monitor: Does your job require you to have a screen that has a high resolution or will a lower resolution suffice? For word processing or spreadsheets and lower screen quality is adequate, while the highest resolution is preferred for graphics work.
Video Card: An integrated circuit card in a computer or, in some cases, a monitor that provides digital-to-analog conversion, video RAM, and a video controller so that data can be sent to a computer's display.
Speakers and Sound: If audio editing, music and production is your computer's primary purpose, choose speakers that assist you in doing your job best.
Printers and Scanners: Printers vary in size, speed, sophistication, and cost. In general, more expensive printers are used for higher-resolution color printing. An inkjet printer sprays ink from an ink cartridge at very close range to the paper as it rolls by. A laser printer uses a laser beam reflected from a mirror to attract ink (called toner) to selected paper areas as a sheet rolls over a drum.

Printer resolution (the sharpness of text and images on paper) is usually measured in dots per inch (dpi). Most inexpensive printers provide sufficient resolution for most purposes at 600 dpi.

Having more than the minimum amount of memory is helpful and faster when printing out pages with large images or tables with lines around them (which the printer treats as a large image).
CD Writers: A CD-ROM (Compact Disc, read-only-memory) drive is the mechanism that reads and writes computer data to CD-ROMs. A CD-ROM is an adaptation of the CD that is designed to store computer data in the form of text and graphics, as well as hi-fi stereo sound. Because of the larger programs most computers use, most pc's now come with a CD-ROM drive as opposed to a floppy disk. Most computers now have the option of coming with a CD-R drive, a recordable version of the CD drive. Though you need a CD-R to record to. You can store up to 600MB on one of these CD's.
Modem: "Modem" is an acronym for MOdulate-DEModulate. A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. A modem converts data from analog to digital and vice versa (modulating and demodulating), thus enabling two computers to communicate with each other over a phone line.
Network Card: A network interface card (NIC) is a computer circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. Personal computers and workstations on a local area network (LAN) typically contain a network interface card specifically designed for the LAN transmission technology. Network interface cards provide a dedicated, full-time connection to a network. Most home and portable computers connect to the Internet through as-needed dial-up connection. The modem provides the connection interface to the Internet service provider. Will this computer be part of a network, or will it stand alone?
Operating System: An operating system (sometimes abbreviated as "OS") is the program that manages all the other programs in a computer. The other programs are called applications or application programs. The application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services.

Check your software requirements to see what they recommend as optimum to run the programs you need to run your business. Is that the one you want/need? Will it be compatible with the other operating systems in your office?
Application Programs: Examples of application programs include word processors; database programs; Web browsers; development tools; drawing, paint, and image editing programs; and communication programs. Application programs use the services of the computer's operating system and other supporting programs. Making sure your application programs are compatible with the operating system of the operating system and existing or planned hardware must be considered at the same time.

Hardware and Software Considerations for Servers

Much like the brand name PC advertised on TV or in the mail, if a server has a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Unfortunately advertised prices do not include necessary hardware and software configurations required for most servers.

Below is a list of some basic things to consider when purchasing a server:

What processor and speed should you have?
How many processors should you have?How many network cards do you need?
What server Operating System do you need?
What level of redundancy do you need, RAID1, RAID5?
Should your hard drives be SCSI, IDE, SATA?
Do you need redundant power supplies?
Do you need an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?
How much storage space do you need?
What backup hardware and software should you use?
How many users are on your network?
What is the role of this server, file and print, database, application?
How many employees do you need licenses for (assuming each employee has a workstation)?
What software packages will you need in addition as complements to your operating system?

RAM: Having more RAM for a server is of the essence. Skimping here will cause frustration as all the people in your office use the server for retrieving or storing information simultaneously.
RAID: RAID (redundant array of independent disks; originally redundant array of inexpensive disks) is a way of storing the same data in different places (thus, redundantly) on multiple hard disks. By placing data on multiple disks, operations can overlap in a balanced way, improving performance. How critical is the data that you are storing on your server? Do you want to ensure that it will not be lost?
Backup Hardware: Backup is the activity of copying files or databases so that they will be preserved in case of equipment failure or other catastrophe. Backup is usually a routine part of the operation of large businesses with mainframes as well as the administrators of smaller business computers. For personal computer users, backup is also necessary but often neglected. The retrieval of files you backed up is called restoring them. How are you backing up your data in the event of a hardware failure?

Please note: Most servers do not come with an operating system or other necessary software components.

Conclusion:

"Business owners often suffer from 'sticker shock' when a PC or server is configured for them," says Mike Carpenter, Director of IT Services at Corporate Computer Services. "Unfortunately, they are used to seeing advertised prices for bare bones systems that will not accomplish their goals. The systems advertised are not realistic examples of what is necessary for business today, and part of our job is to help clients understand the investment they are making for the long term when they purchase the equipment they need."

In the end, it is better to do your research than end up with a computer or server that does not satisfy your business requirements.