Virtualization

Learn how to manage and secure virtual environments, stay current on virtualization news, and discover best practices for getting the most out of desktop and server virtualization.

Review

Virtualization showdown: Microsoft Hyper-V 2012 vs. VMware vSphere 5.1

Posted April 30, 2013 - 2:03 pm

Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V brings advanced virtualization features to small shops, but VMware still reigns at the high end
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Review

Review: VMware vSphere 5.1 looms large

Posted April 30, 2013 - 2:00 pm

VMware takes virtualization higher and deeper with rich storage automation and more advanced virtual networking tools
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Review

Review: Microsoft Hyper-V 2012 narrows the gap

Posted April 30, 2013 - 1:56 pm

Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V combines easy setup and management with new features that lower the entry barrier to highly available virtualization clusters
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Review

Review: HP's new thin client raises the bar

Posted March 11, 2013 - 10:58 am

t410 All-in-One offers new twist on headless-style thin client.
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Review

Cisco brings server virtualization to the branch office

Posted February 25, 2013 - 1:48 pm

The Cisco UCS Express family is a new set of blades that add high-performance general-purpose Intel server capabilities to the ISR G2 series of routers.
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Review

Cisco virtual router targets the cloud

Posted February 25, 2013 - 12:52 pm

The Cisco CSR 1000V router is designed for enterprise network managers who want to have a little piece of their Cisco infrastructure in the cloud.
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Review

HP brings sizzle to Windows Storage Server

Posted February 25, 2013 - 12:36 pm

The HP StoreEasy 5530 puts serious muscle behind Windows file serving, Hyper-V virtualization, and SQL Server workloads
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Review

Dexpot makes virtual desktops feel like a native part of Windows

Posted February 25, 2013 - 11:46 am

Large desktop workstations often have more than enough screen real-estate: One or two 24-inch monitors afford plenty of room for a mission-critical application, plus several chat or email windows alongside. But if you're a laptop user squeaking by with a single 15-inch monitor (or perhaps something even smaller), a virtual desktop might be the next best thing to an extra monitor. Dexpot (25 Euros, which is $33 on 2/21/12; free for personal use) is a great way to get yourself one. Or five.
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Review

Review: Dell Cloud lets you have it your way

Posted February 20, 2013 - 11:33 am

Dell's VMware-based cloud infrastructure provides all of the flexibility and complexity of the leading enterprise virtualization platform.
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Review

Review: The best network monitoring system on earth

Posted February 6, 2013 - 10:35 am

ScienceLogic EM7 brings ultraflexible, ultrascalable, carrier-grade network monitoring to the enterprise.
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Review

VMware one-ups Microsoft with vSphere 5.1

Posted January 14, 2013 - 12:28 pm

The race for virtualization dominance between Microsoft and VMware has become more interesting with VMware's recent release of vSphere 5.1. We obtained vSphere around the same moment as the final release of Windows Server 2012, whose newly included virtual switch and enhanced Hyper-V features were designed to clobber VMware.
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Review

Riverbed Granite takes iSCSI across the WAN

Posted December 7, 2012 - 2:40 pm

Granite Core and Edge appliances eliminate the gap between storage in the data center and servers in the branch
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Review

Microsoft targets virtualization with Windows 8/Windows Server combo

Posted October 24, 2012 - 2:57 pm

Much of the attention being paid to this week's Windows 8 launch focuses on the new Metro-style interface and the fact that Microsoft is extending its desktop OS to tablets and smartphones. But for enterprises, the real story is the way Microsoft has integrated Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 and the Hyper-V hypervisor to create an unmatched system for running virtualized environments.
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Review

Next-gen HP ProLiant pumps up the jam

Posted October 20, 2012 - 7:31 am

HP's DL380p Gen8 dances through virtualization workloads and server administration with compelling mix of speed and ease
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Review

Review: Silver Peak packs superior WAN optimization into a virtual machine

Posted October 16, 2012 - 4:21 pm

Silver Peak VX virtual appliance matches physical WAN appliances in both features and performance
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Review

Parallels Desktop 8 vs. VMware Fusion 5

Posted September 29, 2012 - 9:05 pm

When Apple switched to Intel processors, Windows switchers as well as Mac users who needed to run the occasional Windows app rejoiced.
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Review

Review: VMware Workstation 9 vs. VirtualBox 4.2

Posted September 26, 2012 - 6:07 am

VMware Workstation is richer in features and polish than ever, but VirtualBox is still both capable and free
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Review

Microsoft delivers powerful tools for multi-platform virtualization management

Posted September 24, 2012 - 9:25 am

The System Center 2012 modules that we previously tested -- Orchestrator and Configuration Manager -- require forklift upgrades. But the modules we tested this time around - App Controller, Virtual Machine Manager and Data Protection Manager -- are more graceful and, in some cases, more powerful.
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Review

First look: Driving VMware vSphere 5.1

Posted September 11, 2012 - 11:37 am

VMware's new, Flash-based Web management GUI is easy to like, but it comes with a few gotchas
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Review

Mac virtualization face-off: VMware Fusion 5 vs. Parallels Desktop 8

Posted September 11, 2012 - 7:56 am

Windows 8 and OS X Mountain Lion support are promoted, but existed already in the previous versions. So what else is new?
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Review

ownCloud: The cloud sharing service you control

Posted August 16, 2012 - 9:01 pm

This service is still a little rough around the edges, but it allows you to share files and data without entrusting your information to a third party. Check out this bundle of tips, tricks, and unknown features to get the most out of your ownCloud.
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Review

Review: VDI tailored to BYOD

Posted August 6, 2012 - 7:32 am

MokaFive Suite brings polish and control to virtual desktops on Windows, OS X, or bare metal, with a nod to the iPhone and iPad
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Review

HP P4000 VSA teaches dumb storage new tricks

Posted July 25, 2012 - 11:22 am

HP’s LeftHand P4000 Virtual SAN Appliance offers a wealth of flexibility with a few caveats
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Review

Review: Weighing Windows Server 2012

Posted July 2, 2012 - 7:42 am

From network services and storage to virtualization and private cloud, the beefy new Windows Server leaves no server role unturned
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Review

Paragon Virtualization Manager 12 Professional handles virtual machines and more

Posted June 19, 2012 - 3:39 pm

The connection between partition imaging (creating a copy of your partition to one large file) and virtualization (virtual PCs running inside a window) is an interesting one. When vendors realized that the large files used by virtual machine hosts such as VirtualBox and VMware Workstation were basically image files, it became apparent that you could have your backup--and run it to. Paragon's Virtualization Manager 12 takes full advantage of this symbiotic relationship by imaging partitions to files that are ready to run in the VM software of your choice.
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