server consolidation

Server consolidation is an approach to the efficient usage of computer server resources in order to reduce the total number of servers or server locations that an organization requires.

reducing existing infrastructure server sprawl by eliminating unnecessary services and hosting the remaining services on fewer physical servers, often through the use of server virtualization, to achieve fewer points of management and lower operating costs.

The operation of mitigating the so called server sprawl by optimizing resource usage and simplifying management of available computers. Consolidation can be logical (managing distributed computers with central management) physical (moving several computers in a central location) or rationalized (migrate several computers in virtual machines or partitions, hosted by a single physical computer).