Project Analysis and Planning in VMware - Essay Example

and Number: Project 0 PROJECT ANALYSIS AND PLANNING 1. BRIEF OF VMWARE VMware is the leading ITCompany in the US providing virtualization software that runs several computer applications and operating systems. Infrastructure at the base centers running virtualization are clouded to devices that are mobile. VMware’s main aim is to provide IT services all over the world that enable simpler running of businesses at maximum efficiency. Businesses using virtualization are guaranteed to be more profitable. VMware has more than 500,000 clients using virtualization that the company ensures gets the best services and 55,000 partners who make company operations possible. They have helped most of the biggest brands in the world acquire huge profits. Some of these brands are Ducati, Revion, Southwest Airlines and the New York stock exchange. High standards are set by the Board of Directors for personnel at VMware creating room for acquiring the best results. The Board follows a set of guidelines that are in the company’s best interests and within the laws set in place in the United States of America. (VMware.Inc, 2014) 1.1.2 Overall Virtualization Objectives Virtualization software has four main objectives. Use of more hardware resources than before, reduction in cost of management and resources, improves flexibility of businesses, security and downtime. Earlier, hardware resources were not being put to full use. Computers could be hooked up to different servers but through using virtualization infrastructure, computers can be hooked to one main server and still perform operations efficiently. In fact, computer operations become more efficient. Resource and Management costs are reduced when businesses use a virtualized system. Creating more room for physical computer servers in organizations is eliminated due to the fact that a virtualized system accumulates very little room as the system acts as one physical server for all computers in the organization. Therefore, costs for creating more room are eliminated. (AJ Muller, 2005) Flexibility of businesses is achieved when using virtualization through elimination of cost used to set up space for additional computers when a business needs to expand its workstations. Virtualization is easier to set up and requires no additional expenses in hardware and extra space. Improvement in security and reduced downtime are another one of the objectives of virtualization. In the event that a computer crashes, retrieving software becomes very difficult if the computers do not have a virtualized infrastructure causing increased costs in rectifying the problem and downtime before the problem has been solved. The result is losses in the business. Virtualization is a much needed remedy for this problem as they operate on entities completely separate from each other. When the computer crashes, it separates from the other software in the computer. Security is increased due to the problem containment. (AJ Muller, 2005) 1.1.3 Business or Technical Needs of Virtualization. Application of virtualization has been able businesses to save costs of building workstations for additional computers as one virtual server can be used for several computers. Businesses get to save up to 50% in overall costs of IT infrastructure. Virtualization has been able to decrease operational costs of in businesses, lower cost of capital and increase servers to administration ratio. (S Ann Baker, 2008) Maximum performance in availability of computer applications is another one of the reasons businesses should use virtualization. Also, retrieving of lost data after computer crashes has been made super easy by virtualization. Consequently, it decreases costs incurred during a downtime period waiting for the computers are restored. In addition, the business gets to form a lasting and continuous relationship with their customers as the data is retrieved quickly and within a short period of time. (S Ann Baker, 2008) 1.2. CAPSTONE MILESTONE PROJECT PLAN 1.2.1 Start and Completion Date The project was started on 20th April 2013 and was completed on the 5th of April 2014. 1.2.2 Assumptions or other relevant milestone information Some assumptions were during this project. These assumptions were; I. There is a need to integrate servers on multiple platforms into a single network environment. II. The decision for the implementation of Virtualization for Microsoft Application has already been made III. Storage costs for Virtualization are constant. IV. Virtualization can be used without UPS Before the implementation of virtualization, in this case hardware emulation type, it would be best to become familiar with the terms f virtualization, its types, leading brands using it and the products used. Reasons for using virtualization are; 1. Cost saving. It reduces the cost of using many hardware systems and energy used by the many hardware systems. Virtualization helps save money as one virtual server is used for several computers. 2. Environment is friendly. Not only is it a saving means for energy but also a ‘green’ technology. Virtualization negates the need for companies to build several power plants thus helping conserve energy resources of the earth. 3. Work for system administrators is reduced thus allowing them to change from firefighting to more strategic work in administration. 4. Increases the rate of hardware utilization as plenty of virtual machines are supported by each server making the rate of utilization increase from 15% to 80%. 5. Simplifies software installation as a virtual appliance is delivered preinstalled. Virtualization comes in three types. Firstly, there is virtualization for operating systems where operating systems are made from representation of containers (self-contained) for applications to be set in isolated places. The second type is hardware emulation whereby installation of several operating systems is done in one computer. The last type is the paravirtualization type. It is a thin layer of software coordinating multiple operating systems into a single hardware. (Bernard Golden, 2014) Before jumping into a plan for implementing virtualization, five steps have to be considered. The first is performing an evaluation of workloads of the current server to determine if virtualization will help and cases for use. Secondly, the architecture of the system should be defined in order to determine the type of virtualization to use and cases to support. Selecting the type of virtualization software to use should be considered as well as the hardware it will be hosting. Next step to consider is migrating all the current servers to the new virtualization system. Finally, administration of the new virtual system is done. (Bernard Golden, 2014) 1.2.3. Identify objectives for this project Objectives for carrying out this project are as follows; i. To lay the foundation for computer hardware systems. ii. Study and understand the nature of virtualization. iii. Create software that is more efficient and economical. iv. Use of more hardware resources than before. v. Reduction in cost of management and resources. vi. Improves flexibility of businesses. vii. Improve security and downtime. viii. Simplifies software installation as virtual appliances are delivered preinstalled. ix. Work for system administrators is reduced thus allowing them to change from firefighting to more strategic work in administration. x. Retrieving of lost data after a computer crashes has been made super easy by virtualization. (Bernard Golden, 2014) 1.2.4. Potential Users of the system The system is used by several people in the business and IT world. Businesses save huge sums of money when they use virtualization as one server machine supports multiple operating systems. Using up much money for rooms for computer hardware systems can be avoided as virtualization has helped in its elimination. In addition, virtualization is environmental friendly thus does not use up the earth’s natural resources to operate. The system is more efficient and creates room for more computer hardware space to be used thus businesses get to save more information, e.g. customer information. If the computer crashes, virtualization is able to recover the lost information thus saving time and money in retrieving the information. Also, it minimizes downtime allowing business operation to go back to normal in the shortest time period. All in all, businesses and data storing centers stand to be the greatest users of virtualization. (Bernard Golden, 2014; S Ann Baker, 2008) 1.2.5 Week 1 progress. The project is about virtualization of computer infrastructure. Virtual software has been able to make administration work mush easier as firefighting operations have been kept to a minimum. The project has been able to make tremendous contributions to the business and IT world through providing maximum efficiency, therefore, saving the companies millions of dollars. Virtualization requires working in places with several workstations such as businesses and IT companies. The software runs efficiently and is expected to be for long term use. Storage and backup has been improved. 2.0. PROJECT EXECUTION 2.1. STATEMENT OF WORK The project was discussed in detail. The parts discussed were the performance of the software, functionality, cost and the environment for virtualization use. Performances of the monitors for virtualization are not equal and virtual machine monitors vary when it comes to running the overhead application. Usually, VMMs that are hyper-visor based give less performance than hosted VMMs. Comparing para virtualized operating systems to fully virtualized and operating systems that hardware emulated, para virtualized operating systems work more efficiently. Virtual operated memory intensive, network intensive and IO intensive give a higher performance than those working on native mode. VMM functionality varies as VMMs that are more mature have a set of features that are richer than those that are less mature. The cost of VMM also varies depending with the company as some may offer the software on discount, others for fees to boost sales and others sell it expensively. Choose a VMM that is suitable with the amount of money to be spent. Type of operating to be consolidated must be considered. In addition, consider if the operating system is homogeneous or heterogeneous. Assuming the VMM is homogeneous, the approach from the OS container is best since the VMM will require different types of operating systems. Also, assume the IT staff uses a hosted VMM to provide higher overhead. Stakeholders expect the project to be delivered and implemented at the required time at a set cost. Waste of time and money is highly discouraged by stakeholders. They actively participate in the different project stages, from planning stage to implementation stage in order to ensure resources are not being wasted and the project delivery is prompt. Stakeholders and partners come together to discuss the project in order to discuss their expectations and ways they can participate, e.g. funding and getting sponsors. They also set goals for the project and duration of time the project should meet them. Stakeholder’s participation is important as they look beyond the benefits of the project. They discuss planning of the project, the balancing of resources and the appropriate skills to use in the project. Therefore, their project participation is important. Preliminary Network Infrastructure Diagram 2.2 PROJECT PLAN Before jumping into a plan for implementing virtualization, some steps have to be considered. First step is performing an evaluation of workloads of the current server to determine if virtualization will help and cases for use. Secondly, the architecture of the system should be defined in order to determine the type of virtualization to use and cases to support. Selecting the type of virtualization software to use should be considered as well as the hardware it will be hosting. Next step to consider is migrating all the current servers to the new virtualization system. Administration of the new virtual system is done. (Bernard Golden, 2014). The cost for the project must be considered to create a budget and a timeline. A business plan should be built that will convince sponsors to use their money to promote the project. Finally, it is highly advisable to consult with someone over project issues. An experienced partner would be best so as to help in creating a cost effective project. The project started on the 20th of April 2013 ended on the 5th of April 2014. (Susan Quinn, 2012) Different tasks in a work breakdown structure (WBS) can be set for each team member. Task information entered in a WBS are task sequence in a hierarchy, date project started, ended and duration of time it took, hours required to perform tasks, required skills from a worker or education, every worker’s assigned task and cost and revenue estimation. Gantt charts are used for creating a schedule for projects and helps plan the project. Project team members are able to achieve goals through the Gantt charts. Gantt chart representation Task Days In Work Days Start Finish Day Beginning 0 0 20/4/2013 20/4/2013 Saturday First Draft 0 6 20/4/2013 12/6/2013 Wed Review 6 2 12/6/2013 1/8/2013 Thursday Second draft 7 3 1/8/2013 8/10/2013 Tuesday Second review 9 1 8/10/2013 13/11/13 Wednesday Production 10 6 13/11/13 28/11/13 Thursday Localization 10 12 28/11/13 18/12/13 Wednesday Testing 24 3 18/12.13 20/12/13 Friday Final Review 26 2 20/12/13 13/1/14 Monday Launch 26 0 13/1/14 5/4/2014 Saturday PROJECT SUMMARY 0 20/4/13 5/4/2014 Saturday 2.3. PROJECT RESOURCES The project team divided tasks among themselves to help finish the project in due time. Some team members carried out research on the project and recorded their findings. Others went into the field to collect more information and get in touch with experienced computer engineers who would help the team set a reasonable time limit to carry out the project. Also, the engineers helped with the project planning and implementation. They helped find cost saving means of implementing the project and helped make the project as efficient and effective as possible. The team then compiled work done and came up with a complete project plan. Team members had to look for viable information on the project. Fake material was simply unacceptable. They collected data from several sources and compared them to come up with results leading to the best project analysis. The project is very efficient and effective to cost thus many business-minded people would be interested. That was one of the reasons for the project, taking over one of the largest markets, i.e. commerce. Team members worked hand in hand to deliver an efficient project. They applied a rule of following deadlines where failure to do so would lead to producing a fine. After carrying out sufficient research, the team members came up with information revealing components used for virtualization. They found information from various sources like the internet, books and journals. After compiling the information, they drew up a project plan and analyzed the data leading to its implementation. 2.4. COMMUNICATION PLAN Meetings were held among team members within and outside the school premises. Team member meetings were held to discuss the project and ways of implementing it. They agreed on each and everyone’s responsibility for project delivery. They divided assignments of the project in order to cover more ground. Some of the members would carry out research on the internet while others went into the field to collect more information. They would then set up days to meet and discuss findings. Communication was very important at this stage in order to come up with project data. Reports were written to compile data researched. From the reports, the team was able to easily follow the project plan. Some of the team members were in communication with experienced engineering staff from different companies so as to create software that is efficient and cost saving. The software best meets the needs of businesses and technical companies. Application of virtualization has been able businesses to save costs of building workstations for additional computers as one virtual server can be used for several computers. Businesses get to save up to 50% in overall costs of IT infrastructure. Virtualization has been able to decrease operational costs of in businesses, lower cost of capital and increase servers to administration ratio. (S Ann Baker, 2008) Maximum performance in availability of computer applications is another one of the reasons businesses should use virtualization. Also, retrieving of lost data after a computer crashes has been made super easy by virtualization. The result is decreased loss of costs during a downtime period waiting for the computers are restored. In addition, the business gets to form a lasting and continuous relationship with their customers as the data is retrieved quickly and within a short period of time. (S Ann Baker, 2008) College lecturers give approval for projects to move from one phase to another. Companies also have systems put in place that approve projects as well as authority, i.e. managers and engineers who will have to be considered for project approval. 3.0 PROJECT MONITORING AND CONTROL Project monitoring and control refers to tracking, revising and reviewing a project ensuring the projects meets the goals set to administer it. Project monitoring and control promotes results to results on project performance and changes to be implemented. Below are three examples of monitoring status reports for a virtualization project. The Report status for the server is the quickest way to check for basic server stats. There are buttons at the top of the page to show group reports and index reports the server involves. There is also a button that can change the report into a pdf. Report Status for a Server Most virtual machines use Applications Manager to carry out monitoring of the machines. It performs a check on the health status of both the virtual machines and the computer applications they will be supporting in order to determine their performance. The figure below is a monitoring status report for a virtual machine (ESX server). The aim for the report is to determine the health status of the ESX server as well as their performance. A root cause analysis (RCA) panel is for trouble shooting problems. It further shows each server’s CPU use, the part being used by each server and the server consuming more CPU space. Hardware monitoring has also been performed to reduce downtime caused by a broken hardware. Below is a monitoring status report for virtual machine memory. It helps avoid server memory from running out by observing if the memory is too high or too low. Virtualization systems should be monitored on a regular basis in order to identify problems early. Virtual servers are fairly new in the IT world and administrators find it difficult to perform trouble shooting work on. Therefore, besides learning the systems, it is best for IT specialists to monitor them from time to time. Early detection of problems in a virtual server may be corrected without fear of losing data or resetting all the applications. 3.1. PROJECT CONTROL PROCESSES. The diagram shows the various applications of virtualization available. The configuration layer of the operating system of the user is virtualized. Each application is independently run in isolation from other applications as well as the operating systems. One or more applications requested by users for the first time are downloaded by the virtualization software and required components downloaded from a central server onto the computer of the user without poor functionality or response time. Functionality of virtual systems are high and fast thus takes very little time to respond to commands. Launching of applications is within seconds. Rate in speed depends on the number of applications requires to be launched and speed in connection. In the case of modification of application settings, all the changes made are kept in a profile section. Modification is applied according to settings of the user. Globalization has led to an increase in competition among industries. So as to stay ahead, industries must provide their employees with cutting edge technology that will allow them to work fast and efficiently towards the company’s goal. Lengthy installation of hardware systems to ensure compatibility would lead users to go for long periods of time without using computers. In turn, this would lead the company to lose its value as it would take much longer for a user to use the updated software. Virtualization comes preinstalled and is very efficient. Deployment of time is much shorter and delays are eliminated. Configuration using virtualization is only one time and the entire organization can use one virtual system. (Aspentech, 2014) 3.1.1 Relationship between project monitoring and project control. Project monitoring and control must be inter-related to work. One cannot fully work without the other. While project monitoring refers to revising, reviewing and tracking, project control limits the project implementation to specific costs. Projects require a certain amount of money for planning, setting up and implementation. In IT companies, stakeholders take care of the sum total used during the project to ensure company funds and resources are not wasted. They always put the company’s interests first and if they encounter a situation where company resources and funds are going down the drain, someone will have to pay. Before the start of a project, a proposal must be given for the stakeholders to review and take into consideration. Discussions will be held concerning the project’s potential and decision made depending on how beneficial the project will be to the company. Project control is important as without its application companies would be suffering from threats of closing down. Projects consume much money. Several projects die even before their stage of maturity thus millions of money will have been wasted. Therefore, it is safe to say that the two, project monitoring and project control are key factors for the future success of the company. 3.1.2. Strategies for missing project deadline or over budget. In the event that falling behind schedule, there are a couple of strategies that can be applied. McConnell (2007) states some of these strategies in his book. Depending on the needs to be met by the project, a strategy can be utilized. Sometimes, a readjustment in schedules is needed in order to catch up. Another strategy involves more people in the project. However, this will create more of a problem than a solution as they will need to be trained. When absorbed in a project, involving more people may lead to project missing its deadline. In this case, the people involved will have knowledge of the project and fall right in to speed up the project. First, perform a project review to determine if it is really a problem. When the problem has been determined, current timeline must be reviewed to determine whether the problem is internal or external. An internal problem may have been brought about by making bad assumptions on the project timeline and excluded factors like meetings. The solution to such an internal problem is readjusting the project timeline or release project in bits. Deliver the project in chapters. External problems are easier to manage as it is easier to get someone else to take care of the problem as you finish the project. Making the assumption that more people help with a project usually backfires, therefore, it is best never to do so. More people can actually slow a project analysis and evaluation than lesser people. Read More