Are VMs really free? The perception is that they are, despite the costs associated with infrastructure, management systems, server software and administration. And if VMs are free, why should we be concerned about virtual sprawl - VMs proliferating without adequate control?

This short white paper describes the costs associated with VMs, the effect of sprawl on these costs, and suggests a way to roughly estimate the cost of sprawl in your environment. It concludes with the importance of preventing sprawl as an essential cost management practice.