Virtualization

Updated: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 by Rad

Virtualization - inn computing, virtualization means to create a virtual version of a device or resource, such as a server, storage device, network or even an operating system where the framework divides the resource into one or more execution environments

Devices, applications and human users are able to interact with the virtual resource as if it were a real single logical resource.

Virtualization began in 1960s mainframe computers as a method of logically dividing the system resources provided by mainframes between different applications. Since then, the meaning of the term has broadened

Hardware virtualization

Hardware virtualization or platform virtualization refers to the creation of a virtual machine that acts like a real computer with an operating system. Software executed on these virtual machines is separated from the underlying hardware resources.

Different types of hardware virtualization include:

Full virtualization
Partial virtualization
Paravirtualization

Source: By John Aplessed (Own work), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Reducing the costs

Virtualization is the single most effective way to reduce IT expenses while boosting efficiency and agility.

Virtualization lets you:

Run multiple operating systems and applications on a single server.
Consolidate hardware to get vastly higher productivity from fewer servers.
Save 50 percent or more on overall IT costs.
Speed up and simplify IT management, maintenance, and the deployment of new applications.

Top virtualization industry players (2014, 2015)

VMware
Citrix
HP
Google
Cisco
Microsoft
Red Hat
Amazon

Virtualization challenges

Virtualization now accounts for one-half of all server workloads and it should reach more than 85 percent by 2016, according to Gartner.

The benefits are many:

Virtualization can reduce server incidents by 27 percent,
System downtime by 26 percent and
App-to-market time by 22 percent

There is no doubt about the numerous advantages virtualization brings. However, that's not all a business should pay attention to when looking to adopt virtualization:

Virtualization challenges:

Security
Backup and recovery
VM Sprawl
Capacity Planning
VM Stall
Licensing restrictions

Desktop virtualization

Desktop virtualization is software technology that separates the desktop environment and associated application software from the physical client device that is used to access it.

Desktop virtualization implementations are classified based on whether the virtual desktop runs remotely or locally. It is important to note that not all forms of desktop virtualization involve the use of virtual machines (VMs).

Desktop virtualization provides many benefits, not the least of which is reducing maintenance costs:

Ease and Comfort - can work from anywhere
Secure, mobile access to applications
Flexibility
Ease of maintenance
Desktop security
Reduced costs

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