VMware and Hyper-V – Virtual Backup Software

Hyper-V virtual machine came onto the scene due to Microsoft’s desire to compete with the current leader of virtual pc and platforms by the VMware Corporation.

Hyper-V is the planned competitor designed by Microsoft. The main goal of VMware software is to provide users with a complete virtualized hardware. This virtualized hardware can be then utilized by the user’s current system. The advantages of such devices are many. First, it allows users multiple virtual platforms to be used simultaneously. Second, it permits and encourages shared pools of resources which will be of great benefit for companies with large data collections; and finally, this type of structures supports live migration without user interruption. Other points to consider in regards to VMware: that it allows one power virtual machines at the system boot phase. This means that one can turn on a Windows machine with VMware installed and have a virtual machine automatically started.

Hyper-V is similar to that of VMware as it focuses on virtual environments. A beta version was shipped with x86-64 editions of Windows Server 2008. The main idea of Hyper-V is that it supports isolation in terms of partitions. A partition is a part of a hard drive that can be made available to the operating system. Another difference between Hyper-V and VMware is of course the price. Hyper-V for five servers can run around 10,000 dollars whereas, the price for VMware can run up to 50,000 dollars for 5 servers. Another difference between the two systems is the number of specifications. VMware does not have application/service monitoring system whereas Microsoft Hyper-V does have this. Another important difference between the two is that VMware has been around longer than Microsoft Hyper-V which means that potential bugs and problems may occur whilst using Hyper-V whereas such problems may not arise with VMware.

There are of course disadvantages to virtual platforms and environments. One main disadvantage that is often overlooked is the requirement to acquire new knowledge. The virtual environment is not the same as a server outside such environment; therefore the administrator must update his/her skills and learn this new platform. Another important issue is machine failure. If the user has many virtual machines on one physical box then they may be in trouble should the hardware in that box fail. If the hardware fails, then all the virtual machines on that machine will suffer.

With the advent of both VMware and Hyper-V virtual machines, backup for these types of platforms are needed, as like any type of platform or software nothing is 100% guaranteed. Unlike the usual backup softwares that are aimed at USB devices, FTP networks, and tape, virtual backup software must cope and content with the devices and virtual platforms. Also since this is a new area, there are many areas for mistakes and problems can emerge. It is therefore important for the user to pay proper attention to the service conditions provided by backup software companies when purchasing backup software that deals with virtual machines and environments.