Virtual Machines – Do They Solve One Problem But Create Another?
Posted on November 30, 2008
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Virtual machine applications such as Parallels, Virtual Pc and VM Ware are becoming increasingly popular as they allow users a number of options that would otherwise be unavailable to them for example a clean system for faster performance or perhaps the ability to test an application in isolation from your main operating system. Sadly the common hard drive is still a factor that needs consideration as fragmentation can cause data problems.
Virtual machines must still make use of the slowest part of any modern computer system: hard drive technology. Hard Drives can be partitioned to appear as dedicated individual devices, these devices are then often utilized to store virtual partitions and virtual operating systems. Underneath this “virtual” layer, the hardware is storing data as it always has, in a fragmented inefficient manner.
Hard disk fragmentation occurs when files are split in to multiple chunks as they are slotted into spare space on the hard drive. If you are running a solitary OS chances are you have already noticed considerable slow down in your system since purchase. Just imagine two or more OS’s running causing the same file fragmentation! Pretty soon your system could come to a grinding halt.
Fragmentation will not only slow down your computer or server but due to the excessive and unwarranted extra movement of the heads, the life of your storage device(s) can be seriously reduced. The problem is not only limited to single drives however, even if you have a very well specked raid set up, fragmentation can get so severe that the only viable option is data recovery or server rebuild.
Operating systems handle fragmentation in different ways. Microsoft Windows, for example, pays little or no attention to the degree of fragmentation on a storage device, whereas Mac OS X goes some way to helping by automatically defragmenting files under 20 MB in size. Other Operating Systems handle file fragmentation in various ways, with varying levels of success.
Utilizing defragmentation tools can help to alleviate the problem but often the use of some of these tools is very invasive and will render your system virtually unusable while they are running so what other options do you have.
Use automated defragmentation routines: Dependent upon your OS you can normally, either directly in the OS itself or via third party software; schedule defrags to run at times convenient to yourself.
Use dedicated hardware for the Virtual Machines: Whilst it may appear to be a contradiction in terms, running the virtual machine from a dedicated hard disk or RAID Array is probably the most efficient method of running the machine at all. It leads to the minimum of wear on the individual hard disk devices and means that running even simultaneous defragmentation is possible.
Ensuring your systems are working in tip top condition is vital to maintaining a productive IT infrastructure. For more great computing tips visit the IT Support Manchester , or click here for hard drive repair information and raid data recovery advice.
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