While the need to manage servers and workstations has always been there, many organizations are now facing new challenges and increased complexity following the introduction of virtual machines.

Virtual machines usually increase the efficiency of use of existing computing resources, and that can drive rapid growth in numbers. As a result, some IT departments are finding virtual machines are spiraling out of their control; they become invisible. For organizations adopting best practice processes of asset management and change management, such as ITIL, or ISO 19770, this loss of control is a particular headache. But even without adopting any of these governance framework approaches, your software policies, software licenses and inventory information are as important for virtual machines as they are for standard, ‘real’ computers.

Some vendors have unique solutions for virtual machines, but what organizations really have is a mix of both, real and virtual, and from different vendors.

While I wait for our main Web content and product collateral to be refreshed, I want all our customers and visitors to know that Vector already provides full visibility and complete information of the hardware and software of virtual machines from VMware, Microsoft and other leading vendors.

For most of the time, real and virtual machines will be managed as a single population. However, Vector Asset Management discovers, recognizes and differentiates virtual machines from real machines and allows the IT administrator to manage them in the most effective way.  Specifically, the ability to define virtual machines in dynamic groups enables administrators to target particular actions to one sub-set of PCs or another. For example, an application update could be distributed to only the virtual machines in a particular department. In our v5.5 release, which is currently out in the field as Release Candidate, default Dynamic Groups are provided to segregate different vendor VMs in your environment.

Why not grab a feed from this Blog to hear when v5.5 is on general release? Meanwhile, I’d love to hear your views on the management needs for the VMs in your networks.

About the Author

Colin Bartram's background in IT Asset and Service Management runs uninterrupted from the 1980s, and includes specifying, writing, selling and supporting software solutions. Today he contributes to product strategy and marketing for the Vector Networks group of companies. His spare time is focussed on his horse and the related demands of maintaining 5 acres of ancient pasture in Derbyshire in the UK.