Server virtualization was a buzz phrase in past years, but some experts think ’09 is the year that the idea of multiple virtual CPUs moves past hype and becomes the norm. Virtual servers are pretty commonplace in Web hosting environments, where multiple domains share a physical server but each has its own virtual CPU running its own instance of an operating system. However, companies like market leader VMWare are moving into more and more advanced turf with CTOs who are feeling more confident about using virtual servers for high availability needs like banking and shopping.

In fact, Forrester surveys predict that in 2009, more than two-thirds of enterprise IT shop floors will have implemented x86 server virtualization, and the depth of that virtualization is expected to increase from a current 24% of internal virtualization to a full 45%. Forrester’s research is based on a survey of 275 decision makers.

Sounds like virtual servers really are slated to become the norm for 2009 and beyond.

Image courtesy of Chris Dag and licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons license.