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VMware: The Virtualization Drag: Page 13 of 13

»Be mindful of sensitivity to network performance when managing applications running on virtual machines. Although VMware has done a good job optimizing video performance of the Virtual Infrastructure Client's remote console tool, we noticed that performance could hamper relatively simple tasks substantially.

With the LoadSim test, after every run we needed to stop the storage subsystem, remove temporary user accounts, delete log files and remount the Exchange mail-store folders. On the baseline system these tasks took about 10 minutes, but on the virtual machine it could take as long as twenty minutes because of waiting for the console to refresh.

»Allocate enough time for deployment. We found the basics of setting up virtual machines equally painful to endure. Management tools that let you image virtual machines for rapid setup and deployment are money well spent. Licensing systems-management software for automating tasks on virtual machines, such as installing applications and updates, will also pay off quickly.

Michael Caton is a freelance writer with 18 years experience evaluating technology products for technology buyers at large organizations. Most recently he has been reviewing CRM and messaging and collaboration products. Write to him at [email protected]. .

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