This EMA Research Report into virtualization is without doubt the most important and most extensive primary research into virtualization to date, and the first to provide long-term, data-driven analyses of trends from 2006-2008, and forecasts from 2008-2010. It is based on new empirical research – including an extensive survey, focal interviews, and case studies – into virtualization and the IT management implications of virtualization technologies. It covers server virtualization, operating system virtualization, application virtualization, desktop virtualization, network virtualization, storage virtualization, grid and cluster computing and more. Contents include important findings from a survey of 627 respondents involved with virtualization; key drivers, outcomes, and barriers to virtualization deployment; and comparisons, trend analyses, and market forecasts based on EMA’s unique and groundbreaking 2006 research data. It also provides in-depth case studies based on focal interviews, and critical recommendations for all enterprises and vendors.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Uncovering Virtualization
Researching Virtualization
Realities of Virtualization Deployment
Workloads
Drivers
Satisfaction
Cost Savings
Addressing Specific Needs
Comparing Critical Drivers with Actual Outcomes
Virtualization Hype
Barriers To Virtualization Success
Case Study – Managing Complexity with Configuresoft ECM
Multiple Layers of Complexity
Virtualization Platforms
Virtualization Technologies
Virtualization Vendors and Products
Server Virtualization
Operating System Virtualization
Application Virtualization
Desktop Virtualization
Grid/Cluster Computing
Overall Vendor Penetration
The Virtualization Complexity Triple-Threat
Case Study – Meeting Virtualization Audits with Tripwire Enterprise
The State of Virtualization Management
Perceptions of Virtualization Management
Integrating Virtual and Physical Management
Integrating Virtualization Management with Enterprise IT Management
Case Study – Ensuring Virtualization Performance with eG Innovations eG Monitor for VMware
The Human Factor
The Ongoing Virtualization Skills Crisis
Segregation of Virtualization Management Teams
Case Study – Ensuring Virtualization Compliance with Tripwire Enterprise
From 2006 to 2008 – and Beyond
Increasing Penetration of Virtualization Technologies
A Warning about Growth for End-User Facing Virtualization Technologies
Changing Virtualization Platforms
Changing Virtualization Workloads
Changing Virtualization Drivers
Changing Perceptions of Virtualization Management
The Growing Pain Of Virtualization Skills
EMA Perspective
Key Outcome – Treat Virtualization as a Strategy, not a Project
Key Outcome – Prepare for Multiple Layers of Complexity
Key Outcome – Adapt to the Changing Virtualization Landscape
Conclusion
Appendix A: Virtualization Definitions and Taxonomy
Virtualization
Hypervisor
Hardware Virtualization
Server Virtualization
Paravirtualization
Operating System (OS) Virtualization
Application Virtualization
Application Isolation
Software Streaming
Server-Based (or Remote) Desktop Virtualization
Client-Based (or Local) Desktop Virtualization
Storage Virtualization
Network Virtualization
Data Virtualization
Clustering
Grid Computing
Software-As-A-Service (SaaS)
Thin Client
Appendix B: Methodology and Demographics