Computer virtualization partitions hardware to create multiple virtual machines within a single computer platform, allowing for the use of multiple operating systems and configurations. It has been used since the centralized architecture model, and is now used in a distributed model for vertical expansion of servers. Application virtualization allows applications to run on any operating system, and virtualization is useful for enterprise software testing and home computers.
Computer virtualization has been a viable solution to leverage computer hardware equipment infrastructure for many decades. Computer virtualization is a method of partitioning computer hardware to present multiple virtual machines within a single basic computer platform. This technique creates the ability to run multiple operating systems and configuration settings without requiring multiple standalone hardware configurations.
Before the invention of desktops, most computer platforms used a centralized architecture model, leveraging a mainframe infrastructure. In an effort to create reuse within that hardware platform, the central server was partitioned into compartments that could be leveraged by multiple entities in an organization. This compartmentalized approach to managing server hardware is an early example of computer virtualization.
Modern applications typically use a tiered structure to distribute processing across multiple server configurations within an organization. Computer virtualization is used in a distributed model by creating multiple execution environments within the structural environment of a single server or server cluster. This approach to virtualization allows for vertical expansion of servers to support more applications, allowing the maximum possible use of existing hardware equipment
Application virtualization is the technique that allows applications to run in an environment that is not specifically designed to support the application. This virtualization allows the application to use the appropriate protocols for the existing hardware and operating system. The use of application virtualization enables the standard use of an operating system that can be exploited by all applications regardless of the interdependence between specific operating systems and applications.
Enterprise software testing is a complicated paradigm for most organizations as it requires significant hardware and software configurations to support multiple concurrent application test environments. By leveraging computer virtualization within the test paradigm, an organization can create multiple virtual machines to mimic the required platform of a specific test environment. This approach will allow for the reuse of the hardware test environment to support multiple parallel test processes.
The use of computer virtualization is not limited to large organizations, as it has many advantages for home computers as well. Creating a virtual machine inside your home computer allows you to reuse a single computer to support multiple operating systems and system configurations within one computer shell. This has many advantages as any problem that arises within a virtual machine can be resolved by installing a new virtual machine rather than formatting the entire computer system.
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