Virtualization

Virtualization

1. Defination

   • Virtualization refers to the creation of a virtual resource such as a server, desktop, operating system, file, storage or network.

2. Benefits

   • Lower hardware costs
   • Quicker Desktop Provisioning and Deployment.
   • Smaller Footprint.
   • Enhanced Data Security.
   • Portability.

3. Challenges

   • When simultaneous VMs run on a host computer, each can introduce an unstable performance depending on the workload of the system.
   • The efficiency of VMs falls short compared to physical machines.
   • Licensing models of virtualization solutions can be tricky. They can result in huge upfront investment costs due to additional hardware requirements.
   • Due to the increasingly high number of breaches on VM and cloud deployments, security is an added concern.

4. Drawbacks

   • It can have a high cost of implementation.
   • It creates a scalability issue.
   • It takes time.

5. Types

   • Desktop Virtualization
     • Desktop virtualization is when the host server can run virtual machines using a hypervisor (a software program). A hypervisor can directly be installed on the host machine or over the operating system (like Windows, Mac, and Linux).
   • Application Virtualization
     • The process of installing an application on a central server (single computer system) that can virtually be operated on multiple systems is known as application virtualization. For end users, the virtualized application works exactly like a native application installed on a physical machine.
   • Server Virtualization
     • Server virtualization is a process of partitioning the resources of a single server into multiple virtual servers. These virtual servers can run as separate machines
   • Network Virtualization
     • Network virtualization helps manage and monitor the entire computer network as a single administrative entity. Admins can keep a track of various elements of network infrastructure such as routers and switches from a single software-based administrator’s console.
   • Storage Virtualization
     • storage virtualization is the process of pooling physical storage of multiple network storage devices so it looks like a single storage device. Storage virtualization facilitates archiving, easy backup, and recovery tasks. It helps administrators allocate, move, change and set up resources efficiently across the organizational infrastructure.