Everything You Need To Know About The Bare Metal Environment
By Jessica Foreman
Every business has such varied computing requirements that a one-size-fits-all solution is often not sufficient. If we wish to use the power of a computer’s hardware without its host operating system, then it’s perfectly possible to tap into this ‘bare metal’ and put it to good use with a ‘virtual machine’ on it instead.
If this sounds like the sort of thing you could deploy in your operation, then read on to see the answers to the key questions that you will have:
So, what exactly is a bare metal server?
This refers to a server in a virtual environment. By using a hypervisor — which manages the virtual machine on your bare metal environment — you can get the resources of your own appointed server. Bare metal servers from 100TB, for example, also tap into the cloud environment for maximum freedom and the most flexible approach.
Why would I need a bare metal server?
Put simply, this will end the need for you to use a separate host operation system. It makes use of the bare metal in a way that can deliver to your bespoke performance needs, with packages that allow you to select the speed, security, and support that you want.
Essentially, as outlined by Dragon Blogger, if you are looking for improved processing power, to waste less fewer resources, improve your disk and network I/O performance, and improve your input/output operations per second then you can get this with the right package that taps into the bare metal environment.
How do they measure up compared to others?
That flexibility allows you to tap into a level of performance that measures up very favourably with virtualised infrastructure as a service, say. You get the benefit of a physical server that is there whenever you need it and this falls within your company’s firewall, without the cost and issues that you might otherwise face with this.
What else do you get for your money?
Clearly this will depend on what you want and who you shop with. You can, as Redstation points out, get servers with virtualised environments, proprietary storage devices or dedicated parts of a multi-tenant SAN, switches or ports from a multi-tenant switch and balancers or ports from a multi-tenant load balancer.
Who would benefit from bare metal servers?
You need to consider your workload, the applications you use and be able to answer two key questions. Firstly, what are the financial implications of the package you want? What staff do you have and do they have the requisite technical expertise to be able to manage this arrangement? If they fit with your workload, would ensure you can handle the applications you need and you have the budget and knowledge in house to make best use of bare metal servers then you they are for you and your business.
Jessica Foreman is a Durham University graduate specializing in business and lifestyle based writing. She has developed her skills on projects surrounding The British Broadcasting Company and running a print and online based magazine whilst at university. She is currently looking towards starting her Masters in Mobile and Personal Communications as well as broadening her horizons through traveling.