Virtualization solutions remove boundaries and constraints in computing. There are three types: hardware, network and storage, and application virtualization. Each type has different methods to create virtual servers, consolidate devices, or provision applications on an as-needed basis. Apple’s desktop virtualization allows Macs to run Windows software.
Virtualization means “with boundaries or constraints removed” or “simulated”. Solutions refer to products and services that solve particular problems or situations. Virtualization solutions refer to ways of addressing computing problems by removing boundaries or constraints and/or through the use of a simulation.
Virtualization solutions can be divided into three types: hardware virtualization, network and storage virtualization, and application virtualization. Hardware virtualization is another term for server virtualization. It refers to three ways to partition a computer to create virtual servers on it. Depending on the method used, virtual servers may be able to run different operating systems. In any case, applications on separate servers will not interact or cause problems with each other and redundancy easily becomes possible.
For virtualization solutions involving networking and storage, a somewhat opposite approach is taken to the approach in server virtualization, gathering things together, rather than separating one thing into many. With network virtualization, this means that multiple devices on the network are consolidated to be controlled and managed from a single administrator console. Network virtualization often includes storage virtualization, which allows various, sometimes numerous and quite different storage devices to be accessed in a similar way.
Virtualization solutions involving applications are of at least five types. Application streaming is a process whereby an application is not actually installed on every machine in a network, but is provisioned on an as-needed basis. This is a way to ensure that the most up-to-date software is being used and to keep track of each person’s usage time. Another way application virtualization occurs is when user PCs are terminals or operated as terminals to the server. In this case, all applications and data reside on the server.
Partitioning hardware is one of the virtualization solutions that takes place on a single user’s PC. Apple recently designed their Macs so they can be partitioned and run Windows software. This is called desktop virtualization.
The other two types of application virtualization are very different from the first three. One is exemplified by Java Virtual Machine (JVM) software, which allows programs written in Java or compiled to Java bytecode to run on any computer on which it is installed. JVM is said to virtualize software by stretching the limits of where it can run. Dynamic application assignment is an approach that treats a group of servers as a cohesive pool of resources that can be allocated in real time, virtualizing applications by running them on any server as needed.
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