With the breakthrough of cloud computing, I realized that many people are confused between the concepts of cloud computing and server virtualization.  I’d like to take this opportunity to enable you to differentiate between both services and the benefits attached to them!

Of course, a cloud needs server virtualization, that is to say: a virtual interface layer separates the physical from the virtual. Once upon a time, a single server could only run one operating system at once as the devices were tied with the drivers in the operating system. Virtualization breaks that strong link by using an additional layer which acts as the unique interface between the physical and the virtual worlds.

But why bother with virtualization?  In two words, reliability and efficiency!

The independence of the physical side from the virtual side allows us to use drivers that are 100% compatible and approved by VMware or Microsoft for use on the virtual machine’s operating system.  Furthermore, we can offer a multitude of services on several independent virtual machines that will execute on the same physical server (a task that previously required several servers). Now that we understand the basics of virtualization, let’s move along to the magical world of cloud computing. Imagine an environment where dozens or even hundreds of servers in virtual mode where thousands of virtual machines reside…

Let’s add the possibility that one virtual machine can migrate from one server to the next in order to balance the load of all servers, or move to a high performance server to conduct exhaustive computations …

Add on the option of replicating a virtual machine and putting it on hold just in case a problem should arise with the first one.

In a nutshell…a world with no physical limits where data can migrate according to the requirements and predetermined rules!  A world that  provides a maximum amount of resources to services by ensuring availability all while being transparent to the user, that’s cloud computing!

Considerable cost reductions will be noticed not only by the efficient use of servers centralized in strategic points, but equally by the implementation of your IT infrastructure allowing a new server to adhere to your cloud in just a few clicks.

You will also notice substantial energy savings with the automated power management of servers according to their work load. Your services will always be available on the cloud with a 100% reliability.

What should we retain from all this?  Cloud computing generates huge savings all while increasing the quality of access to e-mail services, files and more!

The cloud is within reach to all companies