VIRTUALIZATION

1. What is virtualization?

In computing, virtualization (or virtualisation) is the creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as a hardware platform, operating system (OS), storage device, or network resources.

2. How virtualization works?

Virtualization needs a special software that runs as a virtualization layer (called a hypervisor) between the hardware and the operating system.

3. Why virtualize?

There are many reasons for adopting virtualization. A popular one is better resource utilization. It is not uncommon to see servers running at 10 percent or less of their capacity, at different points in the day. By letting several virtual servers share a single set of hardware, a much higher average utilization rate is achieved, and hardware and support costs are lowered. Virtualization also makes it easier to provision and reallocate servers. Instead of having to manually set up a server, the virtualization software can set up a server using a pre-existing template and shift server images from one physical server to another to balance workloads or improve efficiency. It can also automatically set up a new virtual server on a different machine when there is a hardware malfunction. Each application is isolated from the others, which provides greater security.

4. What are the different types of virtualisation?

1. Hardware virtualisation

2. Desktop virtualisation

3. Software virtualisation

4. Storage virtualisation

5. Network virtualisation

5. What are big challenges to virtualization technology?

Backup and restoration of Virtual Machines (VMs), software licensing are big challenges to virtualization technology.

6. Who are the pioneers in the field of virtualization?

 VMware (EMC) is by far the largest vendor of virtualization technology for x86 platforms.

IBM is also into foray with their IBM Virtualization Engine Platform.

Microsoft is also playing a major role in virtualization technology with Windows Server.