Introduction
Virtualization technology is already transforming the way many IT organizations provision and manage their systems and applications. Server virtualization enables the flexible and secure consolidation of multiple operating systems and applications onto a single platform. This helps to reduce server proliferation, increase utilization, simplify IT infrastructure, and reduce management costs. When used in conjunction with rapid software provisioning tools, it can also enable flexible and dynamic management of hardware resources to address shifting workload requirements. These capabilities are delivering substantial value for many businesses, and adoption is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years. According to estimates from IDC, 8 percent of servers shipped with provisioning and virtualization features in 2003, and the number will grow to 40 percent in 2007.
Intel® Virtualization Technology, formerly known as Intel Vanderpool technology, delivers hardware support designed to increase the value of today's software-only virtualization solutions. This extension to Intel® architecture will help IT organizations:
- Reduce the cost and risk of implementing server virtualization solutions.
- Increase the reliability, availability, and security of applications running in virtual partitions.
- Improve interoperability with legacy software.