Think server sprawl is bad now? Just wait till you experience virtual server sprawl. When users can clone a virtual machine with the click of a mouse, or save versions of applications and operating systems for later use, you're asking for trouble if IT doesn't maintain tight control, virtualization management vendor Embotics warned in a session at Interop Las Vegas Tuesday. (Look through our slideshow at other products shown at Interop.)

The ease of creating and deploying virtual machines can lead to a nightmare of confusion when it comes to IT maintenance. How do you keep track of hundreds of VMs scattered about your network, all with varying operating systems and applications installed? How do you know which ones are securely patched and what other servers they can access? Read on for an overview of this growing problem and let us know what solutions you may have for virtual server sprawl.

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