Virtualization technology creates a separation between hardware and software, allowing for simulated computing resources. Server, desktop, storage, data, application, and network virtualization reduce costs and improve efficiency while providing security.
Virtualization is a term used to describe a variety of computer technologies. Virtualization technology enhances and extends an organization’s computing resources by creating a separation between the hardware and the software that runs on it. This separation can be leveraged to create simulated or virtual computing resources.
Virtualization technology comes in several varieties. In the early days of virtualization, the term generally meant server virtualization. With server virtualization technology, one physical server called a host is separated into several virtual guest servers. These virtual servers can run different operating systems and software, making them ideal for testing new applications on various operating systems. Server consolidation through virtualization reduces required hardware resources and associated expenses.
Desktop virtualization technology also helps companies reduce hardware costs. Using desktop virtualization, a user gets his full desktop experience from a low-end computing device. The server can host many virtual desktops, each running different operating systems and applications. Desktop virtualization reduces hardware and energy costs and allows system administrators to easily provision new desktops and deploy new software.
Storage virtualization technology separates virtual storage partitions from physical storage devices. The virtualization software provides users with a logical storage area for storing data and maps it to actual physical location. Storage virtualization gives administrators greater control over storage resources and the allocation of storage space for the applications and users that need it most. Data migration is also facilitated by storage virtualization. Data can be moved to another storage device without interrupting computer operations. It’s also easier to expand storage when the physical location is full.
Other types of virtualization include data virtualization, application virtualization, and network virtualization. Data virtualization transparently allows users to access data from different physical locations. Application virtualization separates applications from the operating system. Allows the application to run on a remote computer instead of the user’s computer. With network virtualization, a network can be partitioned into multiple virtual networks, each with a different purpose and which can run concurrently.
Virtualization technology has enabled organizations to improve operational efficiency by reducing hardware and space requirements, energy consumption and maintenance difficulties. It also provides a level of security as virtualization applications run independently of each other so that a problem with one server can be limited to that server and not spread to others.
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