But if you're new to this party, you might not know how to get started. In this article, I'll break down a recommended workflow and procedure for assessing if virtualization is right for you and, if it is, how to get things moving. Other resources include a tutorial from VMware that explains virtualization in layman's terms and a vendor-neutral entry on Wikipedia.

1. Determine if you have servers ripe for consolidation

Consolidating hardware is, bar none, the No. 1 reason for considering virtualization. Aging hardware, bursting data centers, burgeoning power needs -- all these factors have played a part in the increase of virtualization. Why should you continue acquiring distinct physical machines when you can move real servers to even bigger machines at a ratio nearing 3, 4, 5 or, even in some cases, 10 to 1?

The first step in virtualization is determining if you have the right type of infrastructure to support it. If you have a lot of machines doing similar tasks, these machines are well suited for virtualization. You also should make sure you have an appropriate number of servers to move -- 10 machines or less, and the payoff begins to be questionable. As you move above 10 potential servers, however, the benefits begin to accumulate.

2. Get the administrative headaches out of the way