Application migration and Virtual Server

Application migration and Virtual Server

Many enterprises run line-of-business applications that require older, often obsolete operating systems. This is because upgrading or rewriting applications for a current version of the operating system may not be cost-effective, or the resources needed to do so may not be available. However, procuring and maintaining hardware that supports obsolete operating systems is problematic. Also, when support for the obsolete operating system is finally withdrawn, organizations can face costly choices about how to address potential security issues.

Virtual Server 2005 allows you to move applications running on older hardware and operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows NT® Server 4.0, onto virtual machines on newer, more resilient systems running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating systems, without rewriting the application. In addition, Virtual Server enables application migration with no changes in usage patterns and minimal changes in management practices, with higher application availability at lower cost.

Enterprises can obtain the following benefits by using Virtual Server to migrate applications from obsolete hardware to new hardware:

  • Reduced costs. Migrating or consolidating line-of-business applications on new systems for better utilization of hardware resources enables significant cost savings.
  • Reduced hardware support. Many older servers are out-of-warranty, and hardware support on new hardware for older operating systems is diminishing.
  • Reduced development costs and risks. The expense and risk of rewriting, porting, or integrating an older application often exceeds what organizations are willing to invest on older line-of-business applications.

For more information about other scenarios in which deploying Virtual Server can be beneficial, see Virtual Server Usage Scenarios.