Reaching for the Tools to Handle Virtual Server Sprawl

Table of Contents

• Executive summary
• In a nutshell
• Ovum view
• Beware the blinkers on physical management software
• Integration with virtualisation platforms is a work in progress
• Mobility blinds physical tools
• What to look for in virtual server management software
• Why buy more software?
• General requirements
• Some basic needs
• Automatic management
• Four fundamental functions for sprawl management
• Capacity planning
• Lifecycle management
• Patch management
• Chargeback
• The big three, in four fundamental functions
• A snapshot of four functions in Citrix, VMware and Microsoft' s tool suites
• Citrix
• Support for Microsoft and Citrix hypervisors, at low prices
• Capacity planning
• Lifecycle management
• Chargeback
• Patch management
• VMware
• A big VMware-only stack
• Capacity planning
• Patch management
• Lifecycle management
• Chargeback
• Microsoft
• Support for Microsoft and VMware hypervisors now, Citrix later
• Capacity planning
• Lifecycle management
• Patch management
• Chargeback
• Third-party suppliers
• Embotics for a wider definition of lifecycle management
• Lifecycle management
• Chargeback
• PlateSpin for capacity planning and lifecycle management
• Capacity planning
• Chargeback
• Vizioncore for lifecycle management, capacity planning and chargeback
• Lifecycle management
• Capacity planning
• Chargeback
• vKernel for capacity planning and chargeback
• Capacity planning
• Chargeback

List of Tables

• Table 1: A comparison of virtual server management tools