What is Virtualization?
Virtualization can be defined as a process that enables the
creation of a virtual version of a desktop, operating system, network
resources, or server. Virtualization plays a key and dominant role in cloud
computing.
This ensures that the physical delivery of the resource or
an application is separated from the actual resource itself. It helps reduce
the space or cost involved with the resource. This technique enables the
end-user to run multiple desktop operating systems and applications
simultaneously on the same hardware and software.Virtualization is a
fundamental concept in cloud computing that plays a critical role in enabling
the efficient use of computing resources. By creating virtual versions of
hardware, software, storage, and network components, virtualization provides a
layer of abstraction that allows for greater flexibility and scalability. In
this article, we will explore the types of virtualization, the architecture
involved, and the advantages it offers in cloud computing.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Virtualization is the process of creating virtual or
software-based versions of physical hardware and resources. In cloud computing,
virtualization is a key component that allows cloud service providers to
deliver computing resources to users efficiently and flexibly. By decoupling
the software from the underlying hardware, virtualization enables multiple
virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server, maximizing resource
utilization.
2. Types of Virtualization
- Server Virtualization
Server virtualization is one of the most common types of
virtualization. It involves creating multiple virtual servers or VMs on a
single physical server. Each VM operates independently and can run different
operating systems and applications. This type of virtualization helps optimize
server usage, reduces hardware costs, and simplifies management and
maintenance.
- Network Virtualization
Network virtualization abstracts the network resources, such
as switches and routers, from the underlying hardware. It enables the creation
of virtual networks, which are logically isolated from each other and can
coexist on the same physical network infrastructure. Network virtualization
improves network flexibility, scalability, and security, making it easier to
manage complex network environments.
- Storage Virtualization
Storage virtualization abstracts physical storage devices
and presents them as a single pool of storage. This allows for centralized
management and efficient allocation of storage resources. Users can access
storage resources without worrying about the physical location of the data,
making storage management more flexible and scalable.
- Desktop Virtualization
Desktop virtualization, also known as Virtual Desktop
Infrastructure (VDI), involves running multiple virtual desktops on a single
physical machine. Each virtual desktop operates as an independent entity,
providing users with a personalized computing experience. Desktop virtualization
enhances security, simplifies desktop management, and enables remote access to
desktop environments.
3. Architecture of Virtualization
Virtualization in cloud computing typically involves a
hypervisor or Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), which is responsible for managing
and running virtual machines. The hypervisor creates and manages multiple VMs
on a physical server, ensuring that each VM operates independently and efficiently.
There are two types of hypervisors:
- Type 1 Hypervisor (Bare-Metal Hypervisor)
A Type 1 hypervisor runs directly on the physical hardware,
without the need for an underlying operating system. It provides direct access
to hardware resources and is commonly used in enterprise data centers and cloud
environments.
- Type 2 Hypervisor (Hosted Hypervisor)
A Type 2 hypervisor runs on top of an existing operating
system and relies on the underlying OS to access hardware resources. It is
commonly used on personal computers or laptops for running virtual machines for
testing and development purposes.
4. Advantages of Virtualization in Cloud Computing
- Improved Resource Utilization: Virtualization allows
for better utilization of computing resources, as multiple VMs can run on a
single physical server, reducing hardware costs and energy consumption.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Virtualization provides
the flexibility to allocate resources on-demand and scale up or down based on
changing workloads, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
- Cost-Efficiency: By consolidating multiple VMs on a
single server, organizations can save on hardware, maintenance, and operational
costs, making cloud computing a cost-effective solution.
- Enhanced Security: Isolating VMs from each other adds a
layer of security, preventing the spread of malware or attacks between virtual
machines.
- Simplified Management: Virtualization simplifies IT
management by centralizing resources, enabling easier provisioning, monitoring,
and maintenance of virtual machines.
- Disaster Recovery and Backup: Virtualization
facilitates easy backup and recovery of VMs, allowing organizations to quickly
restore services in case of hardware failure or disasters.
5. Conclusion
Virtualization is a fundamental aspect of cloud computing
that drives efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. By abstracting
hardware and creating virtual instances of resources, virtualization enables
the seamless delivery of computing services to users. The various types of
virtualization, including server, network, storage, and desktop virtualization,
offer organizations greater flexibility and control over their computing
environments. Embracing virtualization in cloud computing empowers businesses
with the tools needed to adapt and thrive in the dynamic digital landscape.
The process also ensures virtual emulation of products or
services in the same machine, and it does not slow down or impact the system’s
efficiency.
The invention of Virtualization was initiated during the era
of mainframe usage, and as time evolved with progression in new-age
technologies, Virtualization was achieved with the mean of specialized
software.
Virtualization as a Concept of Cloud Computing
In cloud computing, Virtualization facilitates the creation
of virtual machines and ensures the smooth functioning of multiple operating
systems. It also helps create a virtual ecosystem for server operating systems
and multiple storage devices, and it runs multiple operating systems.
Cloud Computing is identified as an application or service
that involves a virtual ecosystem. Such an ecosystem could be of public or
private nature. With Virtualization, the need to have a physical infrastructure
is reduced. The terms Cloud Computing and Virtualization are now being used
interchangeably, and they are being unified quickly.
Virtualization and Cloud Computing work hand in hand to
ensure that you will get advanced and sophisticated levels of computing. It
ensures that applications can be shared across multiple network threads of
different enterprise and active users.
Cloud Computing delivers scalability, efficiency, and
economic value. It offers streamlined workload management systems.
In simpler words, Cloud Computing in collaboration with
Virtualization ensures that the modern-day enterprise gets a more
cost-efficient way to run multiple operating systems using one dedicated
resource.
Characteristics of Virtualization
Virtualization offers several features or characteristics as
listed below: –
Distribution of resources: Virtualization and Cloud
Computing technology ensure end-users develop a unique computing environment.
It is achieved through the creation of one host machine. Through this host
machine, the end-user can restrict the number of active users. By doing so, it
facilitates ease of control. They can also be used to bring down power
consumption.
Accessibility of server resources: Virtualization delivers
several unique features that ensure no need for physical servers. Such features
ensure a boost to uptime, and there is less fault tolerance and availability of
resources.
Resource Isolation: Virtualization provides isolated virtual
machines. Each virtual machine can have many guest users, and guest users could
be either operating systems, devices or applications.
The virtual machine provides such guest users with an
isolated virtual environment. This ensures that the sensitive information
remains protected, and, at the same time, guest users remain inter-connected
with one another.
Security and authenticity: The virtualization systems ensure
continuous uptime of systems, and it does automatic load balancing and ensures
there is less disruption of services.
Aggregation: Aggregation in Virtualization is achieved
through cluster management software. This software ensures that the homogenous
sets of computers or networks are connected and act as one unified resource.
Types of Virtualizations
There are many variants or types available under
virtualization technology as listed below:
Application Virtualization
This can be defined as the type of Virtualization that
enables the end-user of an application to have remote access.
This is achieved through a server. This server has all
personal information and other applicable characteristics required to use the
application.
The server is accessible through the internet, and it runs
on a local workstation. With Application virtualization, an end-user can run
two different versions of the same software or the same application.
Application virtualization is offered through packaged
software or a hosted application.
Network Virtualization
This kind of virtualization can execute many virtual
networks, and each has a separate control and data plan. It co-occurs on top of
a physical network, and it can be run by parties who are not aware of one
another.
Network virtualization creates virtual networks, and it also
maintains a provision of virtual networks.
Through network virtualization, logical switches, firewalls,
routers, load balancers, and workload security management systems can be
created.
Desktop Virtualization
This can be defined as the type of Virtualization that
enables the operating system of end-users to be remotely stored on a server or
data center. It enables the users to access their desktops remotely and do so
by sitting in any geographical location. They can also use different machines
to virtually access their desktops.
With desktop virtualization, an end-user can work on more
than one operating system basis the business need of that individual.
If the individual wants to work on an operating system other
than the Window Operating System, he can use desktop virtualization. This provides
the individual an opportunity to work on two different operating systems.
Therefore, desktop virtualization delivers a host of
benefits. It delivers portability, user mobility, and easy software management
with patches and updates.
Storage Virtualization
This type of Virtualization provides virtual storage systems
that facilitate storage management.
It facilitates the management of storage effectively and
through multiple sources accessed from a single repository. Storage
virtualizations ensure consistent performance and smooth performance.
It also offers continuous updates and patches on advanced
functions. It also helps cope with the changes that come up in the underlying
storage equipment.
Server Virtualization
This kind of Virtualization ensures the masking of servers.
The main or the intended server is divided into many virtual servers. Such
servers keep changing their identity numbers and processors to facilitate the
masking process. This ensures that each server can run its own operating systems
in complete isolation.
Data Virtualization
This can be defined as the type of Virtualization wherein
data are sourced and collected from several sources and managed from a single
location. There is no technical knowledge of where such data is sourced and
collected, stored, or formatted for such data.
The data is arranged logically, and the interested parties
and stakeholders then access the virtual view of such data. These reports are
also accessed by end-users on a remote basis.
The application of data virtualization ranges from data
integration to business integration. They are also used for service-oriented
architecture data services, and they help find organizational data.
Architecture of Virtualization
The architecture in Virtualization is defined as a model
that describes Virtualization conceptually. Virtualization application in Cloud
Computing is critical. In Cloud Computing, the end-users share the data on
applications termed as the clouds. However, end users can share the entire IT
infrastructure with Virtualization itself.
Advantages of Virtualization
Here are some Pros/Benefits of Virtualization:
Virtualization offers several benefits, such as it helps in
cost reduction and boosting productivity towards the development process.
It does away with the need to have a highly complex IT
infrastructure.
It facilitates remote access to resources and ensures that
it promotes faster scalability.
It is highly flexible, and it allows the users to execute
multiple desktop operating systems on one standard machine.
It removes the risks involved in terms of system failures,
and it also boosts flexible data transfer between different virtual servers.
The working process in Virtualization is highly streamlined
and agile, which ensures that the users work and operate most economically.
Disadvantages of Virtualization
The disadvantages of Virtualization are very much limited in
nature. Here are the cons/disadvantages of Virtualization:
The transition of the existing hardware setup to a
virtualized setup requires an extensive time investment, and hence this can be
regarded as a time-intensive process.
There is a lack of availability of skilled resources that
helps in terms of transition of existing or actual setup to virtual setup.
Since there is a limitation in terms of having less skilled
resources, the implementation of Virtualization calls for high-cost
implementations.
If the transition process is not handled meticulously, it
also poses a security risk to sensitive data.
Role of Virtualization in Cloud Computing
In Virtualization, a sensible or proper name is aligned with
the physical server. The pointers are then directed towards that physical
server, which is done on demand. Virtualization facilitates the execution of
applications that are homogenous.
It also provides a virtual and isolated networking, storage,
and memory area environment. The Virtualization is achieved through a host
machine and guest machine. A host machine can be defined as the machine on
which a virtual machine is developed, and the virtual machine so developed is
termed as a guest machine.
Hardware virtualization plays a critical role in delivering
infrastructure as a service solution most efficiently and effectively under a
Cloud Computing process.
This type of Virtualization ensures portability. The guest
machine is packaged as a virtual instance of an image, and such virtual images
can be removed easily as and when the need arises.
Important Terminologies of Virtualization
There are a few essential technologies in Virtualization,
which are defined as follows: –
Virtual machine: A virtual machine can be defined as the
computer of a virtual type that operates beneath a hypervisor.
Hypervisor: This can be defined as the operating system that
runs on actual hardware. A virtual counterpart of the operating system is a
subpart that executes or emulates the virtual process. They are defined as
Domain 0 or Dom0.
Container: These can be defined as virtual machines of
lightweight nature that are a subset of the same operating system instance or
the hypervisor. They are a collection of processes that executes along with
corresponding namespace or identifiers of process.
Virtual network: This is defined as the network being
separated logically and is present inside the servers. Such networks can be
expanded across multiple servers.
Virtualization software: This type of software helps deploy
Virtualization on the computer device.
Summary
Virtualization helps create virtual versions of desktops,
servers, operating systems, and applications.
Virtualization comprises the host machine and virtual
machine.
Each virtualization system comprises of hypervisor,
container, and virtual network.
Virtualization offers scalability efficiency and helps in
effective resource management.
Must Know Technical Course!