Word of the Day: VM sprawl

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms | April 21, 2014

VM sprawl Virtualization sprawl is a phenomenon that occurs when the number of virtual machines (VMs) on a network reaches a point where the administrator can no longer manage them effectively. Virtualization sprawl may also be referred to as virtual machine sprawl, VM sprawl or virtual server sprawl. Although virtual machines (VMs) are easily created, they have the same support, security and compliance issues that physical machines do. To prevent virtualization sprawl, the administrator should define and enforce a process for the deployment of VMs and create a library of standardized VM image files. VMs that are being under-utilized should be archived. Virtual machine lifecycle management (VMLM) tools can help administrators oversee the implementation, delivery, operation, and maintenance of virtual machines over the course of their existence. Such tools can provide administrators with a dashboard user interface (UI) that will show how many virtual machines are running on a network, which physical machines are hosting them, where their storage is located, what software or operating system (OS) licenses are associated with them and who created them. Quote of the Day   "While purchasing departments may have their share of detractors, they have traditionally served a useful function by monitoring the proliferation of servers within a business." -- Scott Feuless   Fun Fact One of the most controversial ways to deal with VM sprawl is to shut down VMs en masse and allow end user reaction to provide guidance about which VMs are essential and which are not. Related Terms Related Terms virtual machine lifecycle management server consolidation storage consolidation capacity planning Related Tags Preventing virtual machine sprawl   Google Easter Eggs Myth vs. reality: Controlling VM sprawl in the cloud Cloud providers are at high risk of becoming victims of VM sprawl. But when it comes to controlling VM sprawl in the cloud, can you separate fact from fiction? The best ways to control virtual machine sprawl Find out how to reclaim a data center that's overrun with virtual machine sprawl. While daunting, with a little organizing and the right tools, it's doable. Tips and tools to control sprawl in your VM environment Virtual machine sprawl can be very harmful to your VM environment if you're not proactive or taking proper steps to handle it. Stay In Touch FOLLOW WHATIS.COM     CONTACT US For feedback about any of our definitions or to send us ideas for new definitions, please contact us at: editor@techtarget.com About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2013 TechTarget. All rights reserved.