Transvirtualization is a new term. This term refers to using virtualization in the ‘transition’ phase of an upgrade. If you are currently running (x) system, but you require the new (y) system, but can’t give up (x). This is the solution for you.
Instead of building a new server completely based on the new y system and loosing support for your older x applications you can run both. With the virtual machine technology you are able to run windows 3.11 or NT 4 on the same box as Vista or Windows 2003. Then when you have upgraded your older database application to 64 bit, you can simple drop the NT 4 virtual machine onto some backup medium like a DVD and add an additional 2k3 virtual machine or increase the cpu bandwidth and storage space for the current virtual machine. This solution will also provide you with 100% uptime and full redundancy unlike using non virtualized servers. If at anytime your current server does fail after the new server is installed you are still able to support the legacy applications as well as the new operating system until it can be repaired or replaced if needed.
Lets look at some simple illustration to exam this transition process a little closer.
Using a 4 Phase approach allows for the transition to happen with no downtime or legacy transition issues. If the legacy system needs to remain running for a few hours or days or even months after the transition it is possible. Once the End of Life is reach for the older operating system it can be backup and stored to an external device such as a NAS. If it is ever needed for recovery purposes it can be loaded back up just like it was when it was last shutdown.
August 18th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
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