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Virtualizing SAP becomes a reality
This article is part of the August 2008, Vol. 4 issue of Virtual Data Center
When an organization considers virtualizing SAP applications, its IT department may believe that the discussion should start with something like, “A lawyer, a CEO and an IT guy walk into a bar …” But the idea of virtualizing SAP applications is no joke. In fact, many enterprises have already done so. More will virtualize SAP too, because it offers significant benefits and will be somewhat easier given new and maturing virtualization technologies—like hardware assisted memory virtualization—and upcoming virtual machine (VM) options from SAP. Before I discuss the technical details that make virtual SAP a reality, let’s begin with the reasons for virtualizing SAP in the first place. After all, it’s always tempting to leave well enough alone, especially when it comes to mission critical applications, which have dauntingly high-performance requirements. Why virtualize SAP? Virtualizing SAP yields the following benefits: improved hardware utilization efficiency; ease of new system deployment; system mobility; simple and predictable ...
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Features in this issue
Just two years ago, bringing mission-critical applications like SAP into a production environment seemed like a bit of fiction. But today, new hardware offerings and hardware-assisted memory virtualization have made the prospect a reality.
Despite clear benefits and advances in virtualization-related technologies, IT shops remain wary of bringing mission-critical applications into a virtual environment. One global provider of heating and plumbing supplies, however, has embarked on the task of virtualizing SAP
Virtualization brings flexibility and dexterity, enabling rapid change. But change management processes are at odds with that flexibility. How can you reconcile the two?