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Dec 2006
‘V’ for Virtualization: Transforming the datacenter, driving M&A
The 451 Group views virtualization as a technique, applicable at many layers of the enterprise IT stack. In essence, virtualization is any abstraction layer that permits aggregation, emulation or partitioning. Clustering and grids, for example, are abstraction layers that permit aggregation. An application running on a cluster views the many servers beneath it as a single, seamless resource. An emulation layer allows software written for one environment to run in an entirely different environment – a Windows application running on a Macintosh is the most obvious case. And a partitioning layer splits a single resource into multiple resources, like containers or zones, such that each application still thinks it's running on a single physical machine.
This report looks at server virtualization, and in particular the ecosystem that is growing up around x86 server virtualization. Server virtualization is mostly partitioning and emulation; a related group of vendors, described in this report as application fabric or application virtualization, are offering some aggregation. Server virtualization has become a key battleground among titans, as it breaks the interrelationship between operating system and hardware, leaving this critical interface up for grabs. This has galvanized chip and operating system vendors.
In the same way, this technology allows administrators to break what has been a 1:1 ratio between physical server and application, enabling all kinds of innovation around application development and datacenter management. Developers and testers can run multiple environments on their workstations. Datacenter operators can consolidate applications and operating systems onto multiple virtual machines running on a single machine. VMs can be used for disaster recovery, business continuity and rehosting legacy operating environments. The ability to partition server hardware changes best practices for running a datacenter. The incumbent vendors of datacenter management software must make their products virtualization-aware, either by building or buying new technology.
This 451 Special Report has three goals: To describe the state of the art in server virtualization technology and to forecast its future; to analyze gaps in the portfolios of large vendors that 451 analysts believe are likely to make acquisitions around server virtualization; and to provide a taxonomy of smaller bootstrapped and venture-backed private companies that might make attractive targets.
This 140-page report was researched and written by Rachel Chalmers, Senior Analyst, Enterprise Software, with Chris Noble, Director of Research; Dennis Callaghan, Analyst, Enterprise Software; Simon Robinson, Senior Analyst and Sector Head, Storage; John Abbott, Chief Analyst; and Steve Steinke, Senior Analyst, Networks.
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About The 451 Group
The 451 Group is an independent technology industry analyst company focused on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The company’s analysts provide critical and timely insight into the market and competitive dynamics of innovation in emerging technology segments. Clients of the company – at vendor, investor, service- provider and end-user organizations – rely on 451 insight to support both strategic and tactical decision-making for competitive advantage.
The 451 Group is headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations, including San Francisco, London and Boston. For additional information on the company or to apply for trial access to its services, go to: www.the451group.com
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