Virtualization

The ThunderCat team will assess, design, deploy, and manage virtual environments. Virtual environments maximize computing, enable consolidation, disaster readiness, and increase operational efficiency and flexibility.

Virtual infrastructure initiatives result from data center server consolidation projects, which focus on reducing existing infrastructure “box count”, retiring older hardware, or life extending legacy applications.

Consolidation benefits result from a reduction in the overall number of systems and related recurring costs (power, cooling, rack space, etc.). There are several business benefits to virtualization IT managers can leverage:

• Consolidation and Containment – Eliminating ‘server and storage sprawl’ via deployment of systems as virtual machines that can run safely and move transparently across shared hardware to increase efficiencies.
• Test and Development Optimization – Rapidly provisioning test and development servers by reusing pre-configured systems, enhancing developer collaboration, and standardizing development environments.
• Business Continuity – Reducing the cost and complexity of business continuity (high availability and disaster recovery solutions) by encapsulating entire systems into single files that can be replicated and restored on any server.

ThunderCat Methodogy – Assess, Design, Deploy, and Manage

Phase 1: Assess
Identify goals and develop a firm understanding of the benefits virtual infrastructure can offer our client. Understand the potential business impact of virtual infrastructure from all relevant perspectives, including financial,organizational, and regulatory, taking into account the policies, processes and constraints unique to each line of business. Provide a comprehensive analysis of the existing servers and storage when applicable and offer alternative designs for the virtual infrastructure based on unique customer needs.

Phase 2: Design
Design a virtual infrastructure solution that meets the unique customer requirements identified in the Assessment phase. Produce a detailed Proof of Concept and Test Plan for building the virtual infrastructure solution. Produce Project Plan to track the people, tasks, milestones and constraints that affect the delivery of the virtual infrastructure solution.

Phase 3: Deployment
Build, test and configure a virtual infrastructure solution. Leverage the Proof of Concept to validate the solution meets the business needs and design criteria to support the customer lines of business.

Phase 4: Manage
Assure ongoing maintenance and operational success by actively managing the virtual infrastructure’s lifecycle. Enable the monitoring and maintenance of your systems. Prepare a Management Guide for site-specific instructions and for the day-to-day management and maintenance of the virtual infrastructure solution.