How do you choose between server virtualization and cloud migration?

I take a more strategic approach here - why not both, or consider the option of having workloads in different clouds (Private vs. Public vs. On-Prem) depending on your business requirements? Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Given companies like VMware have VMC with CDS, integration with your private or on-prem VMware infrastructure has never been easier, I'm just not looking at it with an one or another approach.

So the question is asking should I virtualize a server (vmware etc) or migrate to the cloud, at least that is what I think the question is trying to ask. Quick thoughts. 1. If the apps are running steady predictable loads, going with bare metal and a virtualization software makes the most sense financially (imho). 2. The "cloud" is great for burst, but the costs can add up quickly. Ultimately in a general way, a hybrid combination is going to be best use case both financially and operationally with each service offering something beneficial.

Choose server virtualization for on-premises control, cost efficiency, and custom configurations. Opt for cloud migration for scalability, flexibility, reduced hardware management, and pay-as-you-go models. Your choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.

The size and requirements of the company very strongly factor into which direction to take. I would opt for cloud migration in an environment where scalability, flexibility and security are strong factors. Where operations are pretty standard, server virtualization would be a considerable choice for it's cost efficiency and sever utilization benefits.

You would choose server virtualization to minimize your hardware footprint on premises or at a datcenter. Cloud migration is when you move your applications and server architecture to the cloud at a central location. You can get rid of operating system patches, operations cost and go green at your locations.

It can be moving partially or wholly of companies services, resources, databases, applications from on premises to cloud or from one cloud to another cloud, Benefits would be increase resources on the go, scalability, reduction of cost, no headache of maintaining seperate server room, less downtime, easy to backup and restore, levels of security and permissions

Cloud migrations allow organizations to outsource their IT resources to a Hyper Scale Cloud Provider while benefitting from solutions like Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Infrastructure as a service. Every organization will build its own recipe based on business objectives, security, compliance and governance requirements. The value provided by the cloud migrations should be translated into lower TCO, innovation increase, stronger security, better SLAs and access to services and solutions that do not exist on premises like High performance computing, generative AI...

There are 7 types of migration: rehosting, redeployment, repackaging, refactoring, repurchasing, retiring, and retaining For each component that is migrating to the Cloud "and by cloud meaning someone else servers with super slick GUI and automations" we have to analyze this application in which type of migration type falls in (yes you may not need the resource when migrating to cloud retire it). While components migrate, resources will be available to pay-as-you-go and the Cloud Provider will give the means to build systems resilient, scalable on and demand. Final end up with a solution that match your needs without immediate commit to storage or other resources.

Cloud migration entails transferring data, applications, and business operations from on-premises servers to cloud-based infrastructure. Cloud migration benefits from its cost-effectiveness, scalability, flexibility, agility, and reliability. There are three types of cloud migration: lift and shift, replat forming, and refactoring. Cloud migration involves assessing the current environment, selecting a cloud provider, creating a migration plan, testing the plan, migrating data and applications, and managing the cloud environment. While complex, cloud migration offers significant rewards, including cost savings, scalability, flexibility, and agility, making it a valuable solution for businesses.

Server virtualisation is a game-changer for modern IT and allows you to make the most of your hardware resources. It's like fitting more pieces into a puzzle without buying a bigger table. This means you're getting more value out of your existing infrastructure. As your business grows, virtualisation grows with you. You can add more virtual machines as needed, without a complete overhaul of your infrastructure. Plus, by reducing the number of physical servers, you're not only saving money but also reducing your carbon footprint.

Server virtualization revolutionizes data centers by enabling multiple virtual machines to operate on a single physical server. This consolidation optimizes resource utilization, leading to cost savings and improved scalability. Virtual machines can be easily provisioned, deployed, and migrated, enhancing flexibility and simplifying server management. Enhanced disaster recovery is achieved through rapid VM restoration in case of server failures. Isolation between VMs improves security and prevents application conflicts. Virtualization facilitates testing and development by enabling the creation of isolated testing environments. Green IT initiatives are supported by energy-efficient data centers and reduced e-waste.

The benefits of moving to the (public) cloud are various and specific to every organization i.e. : - access to enterprise grade resources for Small and Medium sized organizations that do not have the financial means to invest on premises - switch from Capex to Opex financial model - pay what you use: be able to scale up and down as well as your business rhythm - try fast, fail fast and learn fast so you do not keep on premises useless solutions - access to innovation and cloud only solutions like generative AI, HPC, confidential computing ... - comply with laws and regulations that requires more capabilities or certifications than what you could get in your on premises environments.

Many years before Corona, I met a company that, for cost reasons, eliminated one of the most expensive monthly costs: rent. This company essentially consisted of people who were always on the move. I have now come across many companies that have more employees than desks in the office. Why provide a central location if not everyone is always there anyway? In this context you can often find keywords such as free desking, NAC, etc. At the latest when such points come into play, you can consider putting all important servers in the cloud. This can be cheaper than creating the infrastructure locally with enough bandwidth, reliability, etc. that would be necessary to enable trouble-free operation from no matter where.

Cloud migration transforms IT infrastructure, offering cost savings, scalability, flexibility, agility, reliability, and improved productivity. Pay-as-you-go models eliminate on-premises infrastructure costs. Scalable cloud resources adapt to fluctuating business demands. Cloud-based operations enable remote work, enhancing collaboration. Rapid application deployment accelerates innovation. Cloud providers ensure high uptime and data security. Simplified management frees IT staff for strategic initiatives. Cloud security surpasses on-premises capabilities. Access to the latest technology drives business growth. Cloud-based disaster recovery minimizes downtime.

There is a lot to unpack here. Virtualisation is one of those things that has a lot of complexity and gets somewhat easier the more it's done. So don't be afraid of having a go, but always have a robust blackout plan... just in case. That said, before entering into a virtualisation project, it is important to know in depth all the necessary information regarding the current environment. However, for any server virtualisation project, it would always be preferable to build a new virtual server and install apps from scratch, rather than using tools to perform a physical-to-virtual migration but this is not always possible, especially if either the hostname and/or IP address needs to be retained and configured on the new server.

It presents challenges that require careful consideration. Resource contention can arise due to improper resource management. VM sprawl can complicate management and increase security risks. Specialized monitoring tools are needed for effective performance monitoring. Security considerations include VM isolation and appropriate security controls. Specialized techniques and tools are required for backup and recovery. Network segmentation and traffic shaping help optimize network performance. Virtualization demands a new skill set, requiring IT staff training. Licensing costs can increase with the number of VMs. Addressing these challenges ensures successful server virtualization implementation and maximizes its benefits.

One of the problems I've seen in practice is the fragmentation of responsibility across several independent entities - the technical team of your own network, the hardware team, the internet provider, the electricity provider and so on. If something goes wrong at one point in this long chain, the service is disrupted and, in the worst case, there can be serious data corruption, leading to an even longer recovery time. Communicating with all of these teams becomes much more complex when resources are spread around the world.

The Proof of Concept (POC) test is essential for determining interoperability and compatibility with CSPs. Additionally, this aids in the migration team's disclosure of crucial information needed to prepare for the production move. Among the benefits of POC are: - Mitigation of risk - Technical validation - Estimating costs: - Performance testing - Documenting skill development and knowledge transfer

Choosing between server virtualization and cloud migration depends on factors like scalability, cost, maintenance, location independence, security, and compliance, as well as application requirements and disaster recovery needs. To make the right decision, assess your specific business needs and long-term goals, and consider hybrid approaches that combine both options for the best results. Consulting with IT experts can also provide valuable insights.

With server virtualization, you have to keep a certain reserve in order to be able to set up new VMs. Free CPUs, RAM, hard drive space, etc. However, free resources that do nothing are expensive. One advantage of cloud can be to reduce these costs. Just tried something quickly and switched it off again a few days later: This point usually goes to the cloud. And if the test proves successful and goes into production, you can still think about where the right location would be: on your own, virtualized servers or somewhere in the cloud.

Going to the cloud is a journey, it needs a vision, a strategy and a clear execution plan. Make sure you surround yourself with skilled Cloud Solution Architects and seasoned project managers while you ignite your cloud migration or transformation program. Choose your priorities and communicate well towards your stakeholders; do not forget to define your target operating model as operations will change. Please make sure the entire IT and operations teams are aware of these changes and plan the right skilling program to give your colleagues the time to adopt and adapt to the changes. People, processes, policies and technology, each of these pillars need to be tackled in the right way. Make sure you do not aim for impossible deadlines!