White Papers
-
VirtSec: Executive overview of server virtualization security issues
There has been a lot of media around the new security threats introduced by server virtualization, some real, and some not so real. So which ones (if any), should you be concerned about?
Written for the executive rather than the security specialist, the latest whitepaper from Embotics summarizes all of the new security threats and issues introduced by server virtualization and helps you separate the wheat from the chaff (or in this case the fact from the hype).
Written by security expert David Lynch, and based on his popular sessions at InterOp, this new research describes the new security challenges that virtualization has introduced into the datacenter, and explains why IT administrators cannot rely on IT policies and processes that existed pre-virtualization. It separates potential future security issues from those that are present today; and, using feedback from a wide range of professionals, recommends best practices to help ensure datacenter security is maintained.
David Lynch has spent the past 12 years in the security industry, working and writing about security technologies and trends ranging from authentication and access control to security middleware, Public Key Infrastructure, virtual private networks, deperimeterization, and compliance. A long time member of Mensa, Mr. Lynch holds degrees in Nautical Science, Computer Technology and an MBA. He is currently VP Marketing, Embotics Corporation
-
Controlling VM Sprawl Best Practices
While organizations and their IT staff have quickly realized the many benefits of implementing virtualization, the challenge of controlling virtual infrastructures is one that is often overlooked. When this happens, the benefits of virtualization become overshadowed by issues of security, administration, and configuration management.
The primary cause is often referred to as “VM Sprawl” – the proliferation of virtual machines without adequate IT control. It is essential to recognize that virtual machines are different from their physical ones and the systems and controls that are in place to manage their physical environment will not work well in the virtual one.
In this White Paper, leading virtualization expert Anil Desai discusses the sources of VM sprawl, the dangers inherent in it, and presents hard earned best practices to address these issues. In particular Anil delves into the importance and value of automated virtualization management solutions. The goal of this white paper is to allow organizations to grow their virtualization environments while preventing virtual sprawl by maintaining control of their environment. The last segment in the whitepaper looks at how Embotics can help with this challenge.
Anil Desai is an independent consultant and experienced data center manager that has successfully managed environments that supported thousands of virtual machines. He specializes in evaluating, implementing, and managing IT solutions and is the author of dozens of books focusing on the Windows Server platform, virtualization, and IT management. Anil is a regular presenter at national events Anil is also a contributor to technical magazines. For more information, please see http://AnilDesai.net, or e-mail Anil@AnilDesai.net.
-
Estimating the Real Cost of Virtual Sprawl
Are VMs really free? The perception is that they are, despite the costs associated with infrastructure, management systems, server software and administration. And if VMs...are free, why should we be concerned about virtual sprawl - VMs proliferating without adequate control?
Based on real life examples, this short whitepaper describes the costs associated with VMs, the effect of sprawl on these costs, and suggests a way to roughly estimate the cost of sprawl in your environment. It concludes with the importance of preventing sprawl as an essential cost management practice.
Anthony Mar is the product marketing manager at Embotics.
-
Aberdeen Group Virtual Strategies
We have sponsored a new research benchmark report entitled “Virtual Strategies: Managing Servers, Desktops and Storage for Infrastructure Efficiency” by Aberdeen Group. The research details how best-in-class companies manage virtual servers, desktops and storage for greater efficiency. Companies adopt virtualization to increase desktop, server and storage utilization by running multiple applications or operating systems on a single system. Aberdeen’s research identifies that best-in-class companies ensure that applications running on virtual servers do not affect application performance. “Embotics recognizes the value of research in best-in-class practices when it comes to the management of virtual infrastructures,” said Jay Litkey, CEO and founder of Embotics. “Our customers are always interested in best practices when dealing with managing and controlling virtual environments, and we are committed to bring them unbiased and relevant research in this area.”
“Virtual Strategies: Managing Servers, Desktops and Storage for Infrastructure Efficiency” by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE:HHS). Aberdeen is a leading provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results.
About the Author
