Virtual reality is one of those terms forever associated with science fiction and gaming – I immediately think of the hologram deck on the USS Enterprise of the Star Trek: The Next Generation series.

But “going virtual” as a networking and data center concept is a powerful idea that can reshape how and where data centers are built, and the way in which networks are used. By making more intelligent use of virtualization and smart networking, network operators and enterprises alike can not only save money but also reduce carbon emissions.

The key is to consider the network as a seamless whole, and the data resources hanging off that network as shared facilities. Virtualization already does this within the data center – servers are no longer dedicated to individual applications, rather the virtualized server resources are shared across applications and thus used more efficiently.  There is no under-utilized server capacity sitting idly by while other servers strain to meet demand.

Today’s increasingly power networks can make that kind of virtualization possible on a macro level, as is being done today with cloud computing. In that model, it doesn’t matter where a data center is located, if there is a powerful network connection and the intelligence to tie together application and network resources, as needed.

The long-term benefits of this approach are considerable, when you think about eliminating unnecessary duplication of servers, all consuming power and throwing off heat, and making sure the powerful servers that will be required are located at the most economically and environmentally friendly places. 

About Carol Wilson

Carol Wilson is Editor-in-Chief of Telephony magazine and has been covering the telecommunications industry for the past 24 years. For the last two years, she has been focusing on efforts within the telecom and IT industries to go green.

 In addition to her work at Telephony, Wilson also was a founding editor of two magazines – Inter@ctive Week and The Net Economy – as well as a news and information Web site, Broadband Edge. Her 36-year journalism career includes daily newspaper and newsletter work covering higher education, business and politics and sports.  She is graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a B.A. in journalism. She has received publishing awards from the North Carolina Women’s Press Association, the Computer Press Association and the American Society of Business Press Editors.