Each virtual server or VM is it’s own operating system instance, separate from other VMs. This is generally the most cost effective option for hosting as the hardware and maintenance costs are shared among all VM owners. Any application is a good candidate to be run in a VM regardless of the resources required to effectively run the application.
Benefits & Features
- Server consolidation: If applications running on a server do not utilize the full computing resources of the systems' processor, they can be consolidated onto a smaller number of servers using virtualization technology.
- No physical hardware dependency: If a physical server fails, the VM server will automatically restart on another host. VMs can be moved while online to another host for various hardware and software maintenance tasks.
- Physical Disaster Protection: A copy of the VM is automatically created at the University's secondary data center and kept up to date within 4 hours. Virtual machines are also automatically backed up and retained on defined schedule for up to 6 months.
- Smaller footprint: Virtualizing servers decreases the number of physical servers the University uses. This means a smaller datacenter footprint, with the resulting decreases in cooling and electrical costs.
- Hardware costs: Because virtualization allows for greater utilization of existing resources, fewer physical servers are required, saving money both on upfront hardware costs and on maintenance costs.
- Flexibility and agility: Virtualization allows for the quick creation of different operating system environments, it is easy to run legacy applications alongside new versions, migrate applications to new environments, and restore systems in post-disaster scenarios.
- Ease of Testing and Development: Virtualization speeds up the development and testing process by making it easier to deploy multiple versions of an application into different VMs. Virtualization allows developers to compare application performance across different operating environments separate from production instances.
Pricing
On-Premises Pricing (as of July 1, 2026):
| |
ANNUAL |
MONTHLY |
| 1 vCPU (allocated) |
$84.00 |
$7.00 |
| 1GB RAM (allocated) |
$24.00 |
$2.00 |
| 1GB primary disk space (in-use)* |
$1.80 |
$0.15 |
| Backup VM License (1 per VM) |
$42.60 |
$3.55 |
| 1GB Backup disk space (consumed)^ |
$0.36 |
$0.03 |
*Primary disk space is calculated each month as the amount of in-use disk space on each drive assigned to the VM. We are no longer using the total size or allocated disk space.
^Backup disk space is calculated each month as the amount of disk disk space consumed on disk in the backup system taking into account de-duplication and retention.
Cloud Services Pricing
Cloud service pricing will vary by platform and requirements of the virtual server(s) or application. We pay the published rates for services but have discounts for data transfer charges. Special programs or incentives are available in some cases. Please contact us so we can help you get an accurate estimate of what it will cost to run your virtual server.
Utilizing cloud native services is a great way to lower the overall need for system or application management. There typically isn't an underlying operating system to manage or maintain and most cloud native service offerings can provide additional availability features.
Options
On-Premises Hypervisor: Virtual server hosting on our on-premises VMWare hypervisor, great all around option for all types of servers.
Azure Cloud: Virtual server hosting on Microsoft Azure, A great option for globally available Windows servers and other cloud native services.
AWS Cloud: Virtual server hosting on Amazon Web Services. A great option for Linux servers and other cloud native services.
Support
For the most efficient support experience, please submit a ticket using the request form on this page. Alternatively, contact your campus Help Center location via email, by phone, or in person.