What is Virtualization?

Virtualization is the process of creating a software-based, or virtual, representation of something, such as virtual applications, servers, storage and networks. It is the single most effective way to reduce IT expenses while boosting efficiency and agility for all size businesses.Virtualization is the process of running a virtual instance of a computer system in a layer abstracted from the actual hardware. Most commonly, it refers to running multiple operating systems on a computer system simultaneously. To the applications running on top of the virtualized machine, it can appear as if they are on their own dedicated machine, where the operating system, libraries, and other programs are unique to the guest virtualized system and unconnected to the host operating system which sits below it.

There are many reasons why people utilize virtualization in computing. To desktop users, the most common use is to be able to run applications meant for a different operating system without having to switch computers or reboot into a different system. For administrators of servers, virtualization also offers the ability to run different operating systems, but perhaps, more importantly, it offers a way to segment a large system into many smaller parts, allowing the server to be used more efficiently by a number of different users or applications with different needs. It also allows for isolation, keeping programs running inside of a virtual machine safe from the processes taking place in another virtual machine on the same host.

What is a hypervisor?

A hypervisor is a program for creating and running virtual machines. Hypervisors have traditionally been split into two classes: type one, or "bare metal" hypervisors that run guest virtual machines directly on a system's hardware, essentially behaving as an operating system. Type two, or "hosted" hypervisors behave more like traditional applications that can be started and stopped like a normal program. In modern systems, this split is less prevalent, particularly with systems like KVM. KVM, short for kernel-based virtual machine, is a part of the Linux kernel that can run virtual machines directly, although you can still use a system running KVM virtual machines as a normal computer itself.

Benefits of Virtu

What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine is the emulated equivalent of a computer system that runs on top of another system. Virtual machines may have access to any number of resources: computing power, through hardware-assisted but limited access to the host machine's CPU and memory; one or more physical or virtual disk devices for storage; a virtual or real network inferface; as well as any devices such as video cards, USB devices, or other hardware that are shared with the virtual machine. If the virtual machine is stored on a virtual disk, this is often referred to as a disk image. A disk image may contain the files for a virtual machine to boot, or, it can contain any other specific storage needs.

What is the difference between a container and a virtual machine?

You may have heard of Linux containers, which are conceptually similar to virtual machines, but function somewhat differently. While both containers and virtual machines allow for running applications in an isolated environment, allowing you to stack many onto the same machine as if they are separate computers, containers are not full, independent machines. A container is actually just an isolated process that shared the same Linux kernel as the host operating system, as well as the libraries and other files needed for the execution of the program running inside of the container, often with a network interface such that the container can be exposed to the world in the same way as a virtual machine. Typically, containers are designed to run a single program, as opposed to emulating a full multi-purpose serveralization.

HOW VIRTUALIZATION WORKS

Virtualization 101

Due to the limitations of x86 servers, many IT organizations must deploy multiple servers, each operating at a fraction of their capacity, to keep pace with today’s high storage and processing demands. The result: huge inefficiencies and excessive operating costs.

 

Enter virtualization. Virtualization relies on software to simulate hardware functionality and create a virtual computer system. This enables IT organizations to run more than one virtual system – and multiple operating systems and applications – on a single server. The resulting benefits include economies of scale and greater efficiency.

 

Virtual Machines Explained

A virtual computer system is known as a “virtual machine” (VM): a tightly isolated software container with an operating system and application inside. Each self-contained VM is completely independent. Putting multiple VMs on a single computer enables several operating systems and applications to run on just one physical server, or “host.”

 

A thin layer of software called a “hypervisor” decouples the virtual machines from the host and dynamically allocates computing resources to each virtual machine as needed.

 

Key Properties of Virtual Machines

VMs have the following characteristics, which offer several benefits.

 

Partitioning

• Run multiple operating systems on one physical machine.


• Divide system resources between virtual machines.

Isolation

• Provide fault and security isolation at the hardware level.


• Preserve performance with advanced resource controls.

Encapsulation

• Save the entire state of a virtual machine to files.


• Move and copy virtual machines as easily as moving and copying files.

Hardware Independence

• Provision or migrate any virtual machine to any physical server.

Types of Virtualization

Server Virtualization

Server virtualization enables multiple operating systems to run on a single physical server as highly efficient virtual machines. Key benefits include:

• Greater IT efficiencies


• Reduced operating costs


• Faster workload deployment


• Increased application performance


• Higher server availability


• Eliminated server sprawl and complexity

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Network Virtualization

By completely reproducing a physical network, network virtualization allows applications to run on a virtual network as if they were running on a physical network — but with greater operational benefits and all the hardware independencies of virtualization. (Network virtualization presents logical networking devices and services — logical ports, switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, VPNs and more — to connected workloads.)

 

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Desktop Virtualization

Deploying desktops as a managed service enables IT organizations to respond faster to changing workplace needs and emerging opportunities. Virtualized desktops and applications can also be quickly and easily delivered to branch offices, outsourced and offshore employees, and mobile workers using iPad and Android tablets.

 

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Virtualization vs. Cloud Computing

Although equally buzz-worthy technologies, virtualization and cloud computing are not interchangeable. Virtualization is software that makes computing environments independent of physical infrastructure, while cloud computing is a service that delivers shared computing resources (software and/or data) on demand via the Internet. As complementary solutions, organizations can begin by virtualizing their servers and then moving to cloud computing for even greater agility and self-service.

 

Virtualization can increase IT agility, flexibility and scalability while creating significant cost savings. Greater workload mobility, increased performance and availability of resources, automated operations – they’re all benefits of virtualization that make IT simpler to manage and less costly to own and operate. Additional benefits include:

• Reduced capital and operating costs.


• Minimized or eliminated downtime.


• Increased IT productivity, efficiency, agility and responsiveness.


• Faster provisioning of applications and resources.


• Greater business continuity and disaster recovery.


• Simplified data center management.


• Availability of a true Software-Defined Data Center..

Benefits oBenefits of Virtualization

Virtualization can increase IT agility, flexibility and scalability while creating significant cost savings. Greater workload mobility, increased performance and availability of resources, automated operations – they’re all benefits of virtualization that make IT simpler to manage and less costly to own and operate. Additional benefits include:

• Reduced capital and operating costs.


• Minimized or eliminated downtime.


• Increased IT productivity, efficiency, agility and responsiveness.


• Faster provisioning of applications and resources.


• Greater business continuity and disaster recovery.


• Simplified data center management.


• Availability of a true Software-Defined Data Center..f Virtualization

Virtualization can increase IT agility, flexibility and scalability while creating significant cost savings. Greater workload mobility, increased performance and availability of resources, automated operations – they’re all benefits of virtualization that make IT simpler to manage and less costly to own and operate. Additional benefits include:

• Reduced capital and operating costs.


• Minimized or eliminated downtime.


• Increased IT productivity, efficiency, agility and responsiveness.


• Faster provisioning of applications and resources.


• Greater business continuity and disaster recovery.


• Simplified data center management.


• Availability of a true Software-Defined Data Center..