Simplified IT operations? Check. Faster response to changing business demands? Check. Reduced power consumption? Check.
Virtualization offers something for every user. It has provided efficiencies and capabilities that were once deemed impossible when constrained within a physical world.
The architecture of today’s x86 servers allows them to run only one operating system at a time. Server virtualization unlocks the traditional one-to-one architecture of x86 servers by abstracting the operating system and applications from the physical hardware, enabling a more cost-efficient, agile, and simplified server environment.
Using server virtualization, multiple operating systems can run on a single physical server as virtual machines, each with access to the underlying server’s computing resources.
Server virtualization unleashes the potential of today’s powerful x86 servers. Most servers operate at less than 15% of capacity. Not only is this highly inefficient, it also introduces server sprawl, increased electric costs, increased cooling costs, rack capacity issues, peripheral needs, and other IT complexities that could include specialized staffing.
What is a virtual appliance?
A virtual appliance is a pre-configured virtual machine image that is ready to be run directly on a hypervisor. Virtual appliances:
- Can be deployed in existing infrastructure under existing service level agreements.
- Don’t have the hardware limitations imposed by traditional appliances.
- Are easier to backup, move, and replicate.
- Make policy compliance and auditing easier.
- Have less security vulnerabilities and easier remediation in some cases.
Just look at these benefits
There are many reasons to use a virtual appliance. Here are some key benefits to consider:
1. Reduce Costs
Reduce hardware and operating costs by as much as 50% and energy costs by as much as 80%, saving more than $3,000 per year for each virtualized server workload.
2. Save time.
Reduce the time it takes to provision new servers by as much as 70%. Set up usually involves decompressing the virtual appliance file and loading the resulting virtual image into the virtual server. It’s that simple.
3. Improve reliability and decrease downtime.
Offices today must prepare for disaster. Should your system fail, the built-in disaster recovery of virtual appliances ensure backed up data is immediately redeployed on another virtual machine with little or no downtime.
4. Virtual appliances often run just the bare necessities.
This allows you to efficiently deliver IT services on demand – independent of hardware, operating systems, applications, or infrastructure providers.
A closer look: physical appliance vs. virtual appliance
Now it’s time to decide which solution best suites your environment – physical appliance or virtual appliance?
The following table differentiates between the two types of appliances. Understanding their differences is an important step to knowing which appliance best meets your needs.
|Physical Appliance||Virtual Appliance|
|Real hardware limitations (number of cores, amount of RAM, HDD capacity, and number of network ports).||Virtually no limitation – can allocate resources dynamically from an overall pool.|
|Require dedicated administrative portals, user access lists, IP addresses, out of band management, and other administrative resources.||Generally deployed into an environment where these resources already exist and can be leveraged.|
|Rely on traditional storage devices (HDD, SSD, and Flash) for backup purposes and typically require some user intervention to configure and perform.||Generally connected to high availability, high reliability backup storage networks with automated mirroring performed real time.|
|Typically limited to a single network port and cannot perform load balancing to control availability in peak use times.||Can allocate multiple NICs (Network Interface Cards) and rules for managing availability at the Hypervisor management level.|
|Introduces a new hardware platform and possibly a new service level agreement (SLA) for support.||Leverage existing hardware and SLAs that are already in place and consistent with policies.|
Virtualization applied to digital signage
Virtualization is particularly attractive for digital signage and other situations where there is limited and well defined interaction on the client side, and content management on the server side. Moving away from hardware brings more reliability, flexibility, and affordability to organizations such as airports, banks, retailers, K-12 schools, and universities that need to deliver dynamic information.
By running the digital signage content management software in a virtual environment, organizations can easily manage all of their digital signage players from a local network location or remotely. This gives organizations quick access to individual logs, schedules, content, and playlists.
Explore technology solutions
Black Box offers digital signage solutions as physical or virtual appliances – you decide which application works best for your enterprise. Their iCOMPEL digital signage solution is designed on a Linux OS. This gives you 24/7 uptime, highly recoverable storage method and file system, and minimal vulnerability to viruses, malware, and other security threats.
See Black Box’s virtual content management system for digital signage – iCOMPEL Content Commander Virtual Machine. And, check out the Black Box virtual management and monitoring system for multiple subscribers – iCOMPEL Deployment Manager Virtual Machine. Both support up to 100 subscriber units. For larger deployments, models with support for up to 500, 1000, and 1500 units are available.
Need help planning your next digital signage solution?
Enlist the help of a seasoned digital signage professional. Contact your local Black Box office, or comment below.