Information Technology

September 27, 2011

Cloud Computing vs. Virtualization: What’s the difference?

The terms cloud computing and virtualization are often used interchangeably.

But, in reality, both technologies offer different approaches to managing an organization’s data infrastructure while reducing the cost of computing resources.

Let’s take a look at these technologies and examine what makes them different.

Virtualization: Many Servers on the Same Hardware

Basically, virtualization allows an organization to run multiple “virtual” servers on the same hardware, eliminating the need for additional hardware.

In the past, when an organization wanted to add a new application to their existing infrastructure, they would need to purchase additional hardware to increase their computing power. Over time, this course of action ended up costing a lot of money.

Virtualization offers a solution to this problem.

Here’s how it works. One server controls access to the physical server’s computing resources. This is often referred to as the host server. Any additional servers run virtually within containers provided by the host server.

This eliminates the need for additional hardware and, ultimately, cuts down on energy costs too.

Cloud Computing: A Third-party Service

Cloud computing is similar to virtualization in that it lets an organization run multiple applications without having to purchase additional hardware. All you need to get started is secure access to the internet because your data is transmitted via internet protocols.

The server hardware that manages your organization’s date is located offsite. In fact, cloud computing is often distributed across many dedicated servers which provides high availability and redundancy.

Essentially, cloud computing is a service while virtualization is a part of your physical IT infrastructure. The user does not necessarily need to know the location and configuration of the system that delivers the service because those details are handled by the vendor.

Which is Right for My Business?

Determining whether your organization needs virtualization or cloud computing depends on many factors, and for many businesses the decision hinges primarily on costs and security.

Virtualization generally requires higher upfront costs because you must first purchase hardware to run your virtualized servers. While virtualization will save your organization money overtime, it does require a considerable investment early on. The great thing about virtualization is that your servers are running onsite so the level of security is high. It’s like your own mini-cloud that you control access to. This makes virtualization an excellent choice for organizations that require a lot of security like government agencies and financial institutions.

Unlike virtualization, cloud computing requires low upfront costs because there is no need to purchase any hardware. You pay a third party provider for the resources your organization needs to function and nothing more. However, as time goes by and your needs grow, you will need to purchase additional resources. Over time, paying for each additional resource as your business grows could end up costing more money than using virtual servers on your own infrastructure. Another important factor to consider with cloud computing is that your placing the safety of your organization’s data in the hands of a third party vendor. If you’re considering cloud computing, be sure to choose a vendor that is reputable.

Still not sure which technology is best for your organization’s IT infrastructure? Let the experts at AMRCON help you determine the right technology for your business. Contact us today.

September 15, 2011

An IT Disaster Recovery Plan Checklist

In August 2011, New Jersey dealt with two extremely unusual natural disasters in a single week: an earthquake and a hurricane.

While we were able to track Hurricane Irene for weeks and prepare for the worst, the earthquake came out of nowhere, striking a region not generally known for such events.

The point is: disaster can strike at any time. These recent natural disasters have emphasized the need for disaster planning in business. A disaster recovery plan can significantly reduce the amount of time your business needs to recover and continue serving your clients after disaster strikes.

For most businesses today, no disaster recovery plan would be complete without thorough guidelines for restoring their information technology (IT) infrastructure as these systems are critical to business continuity.

Does your business have an IT disaster recovery plan in place?

If your answer is no, then now’s the time to develop a plan for your business.

An IT disaster recovery plan is essential if you plan to continue operating your business after an unforeseen disaster occurs. Here are just a few reasons why you need a IT disaster recovery plan:

To continue operations during and after a disaster
To ensure you are always available to your clients
To sustain the flow of mission-critical applications
To protect your technology infrastructure investments

IT Disaster Recovery Plan Checklist

In November 2010, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) laid out a seven step plan for creating an effective IT disaster recovery plan in Special Publication 800-34, Contingency Planning for Information Technology Systems.

The following is a summary of those recommendations.

Develop an IT disaster recovery plan policy. A formal policy solidifies the authority of a contingency plan.
Perform a business impact analysis (BIA). A BIA is necessary for identifying and prioritizing critical components of your IT infrastructure.
Identify preventative controls. These are steps taken before an emergency that may help reduce downtime.
Develop disaster recovery strategies. Detailed recovery strategies ensure that your IT system can be recovered quickly after a disaster.
Develop an IT contingency plan. A contingency plan should include detailed procedures for restoring an IT system.
Test the plan and train employees. Test the plan to identify any problems and train employees so they’re ready when disaster strikes.
Review the plan regularly. Technology changes constantly and your plan should take those changes into account.

Is your business prepared for disaster?

Every business is vulnerable to disaster—from bizarre seismic activity to a stolen laptop.

Taking the time to anticipate and plan for these kinds of occurrences is both prudent and necessary for your business’ ongoing success.

How has your business prepared for disaster? Please share your thoughts below.

Need help creating your IT disaster recovery plan from start to finish? Contact us – we’d be happy to assist you.

Testimonial

"AMRCON has helped us to implement and update all our current technology. They have found ways to run our Information Technology at a much faster and more cost-effective way than previous managed services firms. In the financial services industry, everything is computer-based, so IT is a critical part of what we do on a daily basis to accommodate our customers and keep them happy. With AMRCON, we have had no downtime."

- Evey Stanziale, Owner, SCS Commodities

"AMRCON supports ten windows-based services for Proctor and Gamble’s Fragrance Division. I am completely impressed with AMRCON’s knowledge and ability to monitor the things that are important. We’ve been working with AMRCON for nearly two years, and in that time AMRCON resolved a rampant virus that attacked our servers. They were able to patch the servers and stabilize our network, all without coming on-site. AMRCON has also saved P&G added expense by using their out-of-the-box strategic solutions to various network problems. They always go above and beyond to make sure our systems are running properly."

- Tim McGilloway, IT Manager, Proctor and Gamble

"I first met Dee about five years ago when a friend referred him to help solve our many network problems. Back then, we used to have crashes and various computer disasters every couple of months. But as an attorney it is imperative that I have constant access to my clients’ files. Dee came in, fixed the problems, and since then AMRCON has managed absolutely all of my company’s IT needs. The best part is we haven’t crashed once since AMRCON has been on the job."

Peter Zipp, Zipp and Tannenbaum

"AMRCON makes certain that everything is working for my small business. I rely on their constant support and their back-up services. They also link everything together for me – the desktops in my offices and my home, BlackBerry, even my computer in Florida. I can go to one location and pick up where I left off. With AMRCON, their technology has given me the advantage of being able to complete with firms larger than mine."

Ralph Anderson, Lexington Capital Management