Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Virtualisation?

Virtualisation is usually referred to server virtualisation; this involves partitioning one physical server into several virtual servers. Each virtual server can interact independently with other devices, applications, data and users, each virtual server acts as a physical device.

Virtual servers can run different operating systems and multiple applications while sharing the same resources of a single physical server, because each virtual server is isolated from other virtualised servers, if one crashes, it doesn’t affect the others.

The benefits of server virtualisation include large saving on power, space and cost of ownership in refreshing programs, virtualisation also has a benefit on business continuity.

How Do I Virtualise My Server Infrastructure?

Virtualisation can be done on 2 fronts, server and desktops also known as VDI. Software is used to do this call hypervisors, the 2 most communally used are Hyper-V and VMware. Other things to consider whilst looking at virtualisation are the storage and the core network.

Iconic can help to assess your current IT infrastructure, plan and implement the solution

What Is VDI?

VDI is also known desktop virtualisation; VDI is the creation of a layer of virtualisation between the server and the desktop PCs. By virtualising a desktop and not having a traditional operating system, network administrators can provide end users with ‘access anywhere’ capabilities and a familiar desktop experience, while simultaneously heightening data security throughout the organisation.

VDI can convert existing desktops called fat clients or use devices called thin clients.

Thin clients are low-end computer terminal which provides a graphical user interface to the end-user. The remaining functionality, in particular the operating system, is provided by the server.

How Do I Virtualise My Desktop Infrastructure?

The key to desktop virtualisation is your core network, this includes your servers, switches, networking cabling and if you have remote workers, your broadband connection in and out the server farm. There is different software you can use to virtualise your desktops; this includes Citrix, Microsoft and VMware.

If you are looking at VDI, Iconic IT can help with planning and all the way to implementation, please call for more information.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the management and provision of applications, information and data as a service. These services are provided over the internet, often on a consumption-based model. Cloud Computing offers organisation a convenient way to access resource as and when they need it without having to go and buy physical kit, this resource is usually available instantly.

One Thing to consider when looking at cloud services are your outgoing and incoming data lines. Iconic IT can help you to look into what resources you have and need, we can also help with the provisioning of services needed.

How do I implement an Exchange environment?

A company’s email system is paramount to an organisations progress. At Iconic we value the importance of this therefore provide consultancy and implementation expertise.

Iconic IT has vast experience with regards such implementation issues such as Active Directory reliance, Domain controller configuration and installation.

Benefits of Exchange are below.

Support for accessing email, calendars and contacts using mobile and wireless devices
Web-based access to email, calendars and other applications using
Integration of calendaring and email to enable the easy creation, acknowledgement and tracking of meetings and appointments
Sharing of calendars and the ability to arrange meetings with colleagues by viewing their availability using free/busy scheduling
Integration of contacts (address book) with other functionality
Use of a task list to set reminders and deadlines, including assigning tasks to others
Journal functionality to enable recording of emails, messages, tasks and meetings associated with specific people or projects
Public folders, allowing the sharing of information
Built-in spam and virus checking
A text-only version of the client to give greater performance over slow Internet connections

What are the advantages of SharePoint?

Iconic IT believes heavily in Microsoft SharePoint and finds it essential in our business today. SharePoint allows people, teams and expertise to connect and collaborate. A SharePoint enterprise portal is composed of both SharePoint Portal and Windows SharePoint Services, with SharePoint being built upon WSS. WSS is typically used by small teams, projects and companies. SharePoint Server is designed for individuals, teams and projects within a medium to large company wide enterprise portal.

There are many advantages of using SharePoint, however please find below reasons why Iconic IT sees it as a must have.

Connect people with the information and resources they need
Easily manage documents and help ensure integrity of content
Extremely User Friendly
Deploy solutions tailored to your business processes
Build a collaboration environment quickly and easily
Reduce the complexity of securing business information
Robust file sharing
Cost effective