Sprawl

[MasterRacker]

I'm working on a ROI document for migrating a number of discrete servers to VMs with a SAN. One of the frequent benefits you you see listed is how virtualization reduces "server sprawl".

From a reduction of hardware standpoint I would agree, but from the virtualization we've already done, I see a tendency toward "VM sprawl". While the elimination of hardware is significant I do think the full benefit is somewhat diluted since it does still take time and resources to manage VMs.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Jeff
[small][purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day
"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me[/small]

 

[baddos]

Well the idea is that you have less power and cooling requirements, less service contracts, etc.

 

[itsp1965]

Although you are correct that it's even easier to generate sprawl due to the ease of deploying VMs, the true benefit is the savings in infrastructure costs generate by virtualizing (as per baddos)
VM Sprawl can be avoided with proper planning and management of your VM infrastructure