Virtual systems management (VSM), also known as virtual system management, is the process of remotely managing the allocation and use of resources in conventional networks as well as in virtual area networks (VANs), virtual private networks (VPNs), virtual network computing (VNC) and virtual servers.

In VSM, resources are distributed to minimize the risk of catastrophic system failure and to streamline the process of disaster recovery in the event of a major system compromise. In addition, VSM can minimize problems that commonly occur with the use of multiple operating systems (OSs) and can optimize the effectiveness with which resources are shared.

Other advantages of VSM include:

• Access to multiple computers from a single central console
• Decentralization of project groups
• Ability to move workloads, maximizing productivity
• Ease of adding or removing system resources
• User-friendly interface that shows the relationships among existing resources
• Ability to monitor resource performance in two or more different OSs concurrently
• Management of OS functions without disrupting performance of the OS or applications
• Proactive system administration
• Improved system stability
• Enhanced data integrity
• Standardization of support requirements and procedures.

In general, the term systems management (or system management) refers to practices and processes that optimize the use of information technology (IT) resources in an enterprise. This includes gathering requirements, purchasing hardware and software, distributing system elements to where they can best be used, configuring them, maintaining them with enhancement and service updates, setting up problem-handling processes and determining how well predetermined objectives are being met.

21 Jun 2007