As virtualization in still in its nascent stages in India, the CIO or the network manager has to tread a thin line in justifying its implementation. Virtualization requires an in-depth analysis of the costs involved, the infrastructure already available, and what the requirements are.

Configuration of the virtualization solutions depends on applications that will be running on the network, now and in the future. The CIO also has to decide on the backup mechanisms in case things do not work according to plan. Here are few points to help in evaluating whether virtualization would work for you or not.

• Evaluate whether you need virtualization throughout the network or in some parts only.

• How does it affect your capex and opex and what is the RoI in the long run?

• Does the virtualization solution provide seamless access to products from various vendors?

• What is the roadmap of the vendor providing the solution?

Does it comply with the open systems

• What is the compatibility strategy of the vendor for products of the others?

• Is the product or solution being offered proprietary or not?

• Does the product comply with the standards?

Virtualization also raises questions of software and their licenses. Along with the software licenses come the maintenance and support issues and related costs. The CIO must be clear on:

• what does he want to achieve

• can the benefits can be weighed on performance parameters

• whether the network's performance goes up significantly if virtualization is managed well.