Click here for Assignment Introduction. Be sure to adjust your audio settings.

Outcomes addressed in this activity:

Unit Outcomes:

• Explain the characteristics of a virtual server infrastructure.
• Describe the difference between physical server and virtual server environments.
• Describe the various types of cloud-based architectures: SaaS, IaaS, PaaS.
• Evaluate which virtualization software architecture is most appropriate for large and small organizations.

Course Outcomes:

IT530-1: Examine the business impact of virtualization.

PC-5.2: Communications: Demonstrate professional written and verbal communication to achieve positive results

Click here for Assignment Instructions and Rubric

Assignment Instructions:

1. Virtualization and cloud services continue to gain momentum as more and more organizations desire to reduce costs whlle improving efficiency. According to Ruest & Ruest (2009), "Practically all IT shops use virtualization technology in one form or another today, and virtualization is emerging as a core building block for most IT infrastructures. For many organizations, x86 server virtualization is a way of life. All new applications are deployed as virtual machines (VMs) unless the application owner can justify why a physical resource is needed" (p. xv).

References:

Ruest, D., & Ruest, N. (2009). Virtualization : A Beginner's Guide. New York: McGraw Hill.

2. Based on your research, write a 4-6 page paper that researches the origin, adoption, and implementations of virtualization and cloud technologies. The paper should also discuss the costs and support considerations of these applications. This paper is to be written for the executive leadership of the company, in an effort to persuade them to invest in 'virtualization and cloud based services' as a cost effective option toward managing the enterprise network.

Preparing Your Assignment

The written essay/paragraph formatted paper should be 4-6 pages long NOT including cover page and references. As you research various access technologies, ALL of the pages must have citations and references. No more than one direct quotation (of 40 words or more) is allowed per page and bullet lists without substantial narrative included are strongly discouraged. There should be no spelling or grammar errors. All written Assignments should be in APA format. APA formatted in-text citations and references are required for all sources, and all figures and tables must be captioned in APA format. If you are unfamiliar with APA formatting, please see the Kaplan Writing Center for more information on how to work with APA.

Directions for Submitting Your Assignment:

Compose your Assignment in a Microsoft Word document and save it as Username-IT530 Assignment -Unit#.doc (Example: TAllen- IT530 Assignment-Unit2.doc). Submit your file by selecting the Unit 2: Assignment Dropbox by the end of Unit 2.

Assignment Requirements:

All papers must meet these standard requirements:

Paper follows APA formatting

Length is 4-6 pages long, not including references and cover page

No more than three bulleted or listed points per paper

No more than one direct quote per page from a reference source and those quotes must be properly cited within the body and in the references at the end of the paper

Title page

Reference page

Answers contain sufficient information to adequately answer the questions and contain no spelling, grammar, or APA errors. Points deducted from grade for each writing, spelling, or grammar error are at your instructor's discretion.

For more information and examples of APA formatting, see the resources in Doc sharing or visit the KU Writing Center from the KU Homepage.

Also review the KU Policy on Plagiarism. This policy will be strictly enforced on all applicable assignments and discussion posts. If you have any questions, please contact your professor.

Review the grading rubric below before beginning this activity.

Unit 2 Assignment Grading Rubric = 125 points

Assignment Requirements

Points Possible

Points Earned

1. Document the three types of cloud services.

0-30

2. Compare the costs associated with cloud services over services that are installed on a local host machine.

0-30

3. Explain the virtualization process.

0-30

4. Compare the costs associated with a virtual server infrastructure vs physical server infrastructure.

0-35

Total (Sum of all points)

Less: Standard requirements points deducted. Plagiarism is totally unacceptable.

Adjusted Total Points