Server Virtualization Technology : Major Disadvantages

In previous article, we wrote about the Basics of server virtualization. As from the previous article you can understand, server virtualization reduces the number of physical servers, there by reduces the cost incurred from cooling the servers.

The flexibility in dealing with the applications used increases with Server Virtualization Technology. But in return the administration of the network gets more complicated. Major advantage of Server Virtualization Technology we get with Virtual Private Servers.

Major problems associated with Server Virtualization

Most research workers mainly points out three major problems : Lack of Quality Control, Security issues and Problems associated with Networking other than Security.

Lack of Quality Control in Server Virtualization

Most companies using Server Virtualization Technology uses proprietary solutions rather than any universal standard. The lack of quality control comes out as a result of Conflict for Access Control Lists. If hardware based Switch is used as Switch, the chance of conflict is less.

However, most companies deploying Server Virtualization actually uses Proprietary software-based switch.

Security Issues with Server Virtualization

This is actually a corollary out of the first problem : the software switch might not be able to isolate the virtual servers properly. With improper deployment of Server Virtualization technology, one virtual server user can access the other’s data. This is actually not important for blogs or small websites, but in corporate or Micro Banking System, this can be fatal.

Networking issues with Server Virtualization

Basically, to deploy Server Virtualization Technology, a hosting company needs an Expert on network administrator. But in real world, most small to medium hosting companies can not afford a bunch of expert network administrator. It might be possible for bigger brands like Rackspace to afford a dedicated expert team to monitor the VLANs (this the weakest point of Server Virtualization Technology) and find out all the loop holes.

Conclusion on Server Virtualization Technology and its Major Disadvantages

Networking issues with Server Virtualization not only can affect the end user, but the hosting companies can get ripped off too by bandwidth steal.
Users and hosting companies must be aware of Server Virtualization Technology and Virtual Private Server. Daily backup is mandatory as there is possibility of data loss.
Sensitive sectors might think judiciously if the Server Virtualization is used to create Virtual Private Servers shared with unrelated or unknown users. There should not be any problem, if a Dedicated Server of a sensitive sector deploys Server Virtualization to create Virtual Private Servers shared by different department of the same company.

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