SIP/OCS and related applications such as conferencing, IM, video and other CPU-intensive systems would be many of the key applications to “outsource” to virtualization. Virtualization has been and is being expanded in corporate environments as complex applications and user needs increased additional server systems are required.

 

Central Processor (News - Alert) Virtualization or Virtualization allows one computer system to emulate as multiple “virtual” computer systems. A Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) also known as a hypervisor is a system of system designed to control execution processes of multiple guest operating systems on a single machine. The term host refers to the execution context of the VMM. World switch refers to switching or movement between host and guest. Guest control is the appearance by the user of complete control over all machine systems such as memory, CPU and other peripheral devices (disk, tape, communications, etc.).

 

The pictutorial is available at: http://blog.tmcnet.com/cross-talk/.

 

In a distributed network architecture, multiple computer servers can be combined into one “virtualized” system operating (running) different applications, operating systems and network connections. Virtualization can delegate Information Technology (IT) tasks such as server consolidation/decentralization, communications gateways, enhanced distributed processing such as graphics rendering, legacy migration and security. Virtual Machine Monitors is a sub-layer of system software, which enables multiple Virtual Machines to share the same hardware platform and allows applications to run without modification.

 

Here are some of the key capabilities of VMM Hardware:

 

Virtualization is not just a data processing issue. Storage Area Network architecture is moving from data storage to Object-Based Storage (OBS). In an OBS system data is stored as an object not as data blocks with the data (metadata) more in the form of an application that stores and retrieves data defining objects or content. Metadata (data about data) or the means of data organizing is one of the critical innovations required. Metadata is the algorithms (rules-of-thumb) or attributes the OBS uses to determine the object and its history. Metadata can be distributed to search engines, authentication/authorization/identification, regulatory compliance requirements and other applications.

 

In some cases, entire libraries of data are organized into Content Addressable Storage (CAS) to reduce over duplication and increase efficiency in the backup system. OCS or home users could create virtual “partitions” isolating multiple user environments such as adding (dedicating) additional resources to a PC game, SIP, IM, communications or entertainment systems personal video recorder-type environments. In addition, virtualization can isolate (partition) incoming threats such viruses or spyware.

 

If you want to know more, this information is part of OCS-101 and SIP Essentials 2.0c courses available onsite and online. Th online version is $299 for SIP 2.0c and $499 for OCS-101 Office Communications Server per person (volume and site license discounts available). For more information go to http://www.techtionary.com or please call Tom Cross (News - Alert) at 303-594-1694 or [email protected].

 

Discounts are also available to members of the SIP Forum (News - Alert).