Server virtualization is quickly becoming the norm in data centers. The ability to host several operating systems and applications on a single server cuts capital costs for new equipment, and the reduction in physical servers helps trim the power and cooling, floor space and number of people required to keep them running. In many areas where power is limited, power and cooling can be the primary driver for adopting server virtualization. With power limitations, the only way to add new applications or grow existing ones is to find new efficiencies. Beyond power conservation, virtualization offers some very compelling features focused on high availability and data mobility.

But with the benefits of virtualized servers come new challenges to managing storage attached to a virtual server environment. I'll suggest steps you can take to better prepare for your virtual environments. But first let's take a look at what's happening in the data center.