Virtual Iron offers "Once and Done" virtual server environment
Multi-system virtual server and management environments can be quite complex to install. It appears that the folks over at Virtual Iron have come up with an interesting way to make deployment of managed, Xen-based virtual server environments quite a bit easier. The company is making preconfigured solutions based upon select HP and IBM servers available through Tech Data and other value added resellers.
Here is how Virtual Iron describes these configurations:
HP-based configurations
The three bundles include the HP ProLiant DL380 G5, DL385 G5 and server blades for the new HP BladeSystem c3000 enclosure pre-configured with Virtual Iron Version 4 Extended Enterprise Edition.
IBM-based configurations
The bundles include the IBM System x, 3500, 3550 and 3655 with Virtual Iron Version 4 Extended Enterprise Edition.
Common elements
The pre-configured solutions support enterprise-class server consolidation and complete management of multiple Windows and Linux operating systems on a single server or across multiple servers. The combinations are designed for easy deployment and management and enable VARs to provide cost-effective and efficiently managed data center solutions that provide higher performance and more reliable service levels.
Snapshot analysis
In the past I've seen this approach work to introduce complex technology gently into medium size organizations. I would suspect that it would work again now.
Organizations interested in deploying a virtual server solution orchestrated by sophisticated management software, such as Virtual Iron, no longer need to worry that they've over or under configured the hardware. They also need not worry about the software configuration.
Would pre-configured, pre-installed systems make it easier for your organization to adopt a virtual server environment?