How does virtualization benefit server management?

Virtualization significantly benefits server management primarily by reducing the need for physical space and resources. In a virtualized environment, multiple virtual servers can run on a single physical server, which means that organizations can consolidate their hardware. This consolidation leads to a dramatic decrease in the amount of physical equipment needed, leading to lower costs related to hardware acquisition, maintenance, and energy consumption.

Moreover, lesser physical infrastructure simplifies management tasks. With fewer servers to manage, IT teams can focus their efforts on monitoring and maintaining fewer physical devices, which streamlines operations and can improve reliability and efficiency. The ability to quickly provision new virtual machines as needed enhances flexibility, further optimizing the use of existing resources.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary benefits of virtualization. While it can lead to energy savings and might have the capability to accommodate geographically distributed servers, these aspects are not the main advantages that virtualization offers regarding server management and efficiency. Limiting software options directly contradicts the flexibility and expansion opportunities that virtualization provides, as it typically supports a wide range of operating systems and applications across virtual environments.