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Server Consolidation & Centralization
Expanding Virtual Infrastructure
External Name Server
42 | UITS Annual Report | 2011/2012
The University IT services started the server consolidation
and centralization at the Data Center, there are benefits of
servers consolidation & Centralization to one location:
Consolidation involves reducing quantities:
Server
consolidation will reduce the number of physical locations
where servers are installed, the actual number of servers, the
quantity of software licenses, or the number of points of
management.
Improved standardization:
Standards are more easily
enforced across fewer servers. With fewer servers to monitor
and manage, an organization can more easily ensure that
they are running the same version of software, including
service packs and patches, which benefits organizations in
making management of the servers more consistent and
efficient.
Improved security:
Fewer servers present a smaller attack
surface and create an environment that is easier to monitor
for security problems and patch in the event of
vulnerabilities.
Improved management:
Fewer servers combined with the
other improvements of consolidation, such as reducing the
number of locations where servers are installed, may result in
fewer administrators to manage the servers or may simply
allow the administrators to do a better job managing them,
such as keeping them up-to-date with patches. Fewer servers
can enhance data backup operations and reduce the
complexity of restore operations when required.
Improved facilities utilization:
Centralizing and reducing
the numbers of servers reduce the number of computer or
server rooms that require specialized power, air conditioning,
and physical security.
Following the trend and need of reducing the power consumption
the University IT services UITS continue on building and expanding
a virtual infrastructure based on VMware platform for Linux and
Windows Servers (x86 Processors) and LDOM for Sun Solaris
Systems. At Present time there are over
200+
Servers running in
this environment.
UAE University has upgraded the External DNS to deliver the
external domain name resolution (DNS) service. Advantages of
using Infoblox Appliance include central management of all UAEU
domain Name Servers, reliability and easy maintenance for most
critical network service.
To improve reliability and increase security of DNS system, UAEU
followed Infoblox’s suggested DNS best practices, using different
appliance for forwarding, hidden primary and secondary system.
This deployment provides protection of DNS data eliminates
distributed denial of service (DDoS) vulnerabilities.