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Although server virtualization is in high demand, it should be used to address business requirements. Some IT
organizations are considering implementing a server virtualization solution for many aspects of their infrastructure
believing it will solve all of their environmental challenges. However, server virtualization alone is not the answer. In fact,
within certain environments, server virtualization might not even make sense. This reference design focuses on where
and when server virtualization fits within Citrix XenApp environments by focusing on the three major reasons why
organizations are looking at server virtualization solutions: utilization, availability and flexibility.
Virtualizing XenApp environments requires more than adding server virtualization. The solution must consider the
workload, how images will need to be managed, how much storage is required and the how scalability will be affected.
Looking at three potential architectures, the following can be seen:
Physical Environment: Although some systems are running at full utilization, many of the other systems are not
optimized and are wasting resources. This environment is completely static, making it difficult for organizations to
quickly and dynamically meet their rapidly changing business requirements.
XenServer Enterprise: Optimized for XenApp workloads by changing the way memory is managed and utilized
between virtual servers. Integrating server virtualization alleviates utilization challenges by allowing multiple
systems to share resources; however, server virtualization does not solving the management and maintenance
concerns of a growing infrastructure. Although the environment is dynamic in that it allows systems to move from
different physical servers, it can only provide a basic step into virtualization.
XenServer Platinum: The virtual boundaries are broken, allowing this solution to allocate server roles to any
number of servers including the virtual and physical. Consolidating hundreds or thousands of server images into
less than ten greatly simplifies costs, management and maintenance activities. This time and cost savings allows
organizations to appreciate how their environment can provide greater value to business rather than spending
money to support the infrastructure.
The best virtualization solution for your organization incorporates an architecture that delivers resources to users in the
most cost efficient manner available.