Virtualization

virtualization

Virtualization refers to creation of virtual rather than actual version of technology including hardware, software or other computing resources.

Virtualization is the creation of a virtual -- rather than actual -- version of something, such as an operating system (OS), a server, a storage device or network resources.

Virtualization uses software that simulates hardware functionality to create a virtual system. This practice allows IT organizations to operate multiple operating systems, more than one virtual system and various applications on a single server. The benefits of virtualization include greater efficiencies and economies of scale.
OS virtualization is the use of software to allow a piece of hardware to run multiple operating system images at the same time. The technology got its start on mainframes decades ago, allowing administrators to avoid wasting expensive processing power.

Types of virtualization

There are six areas of IT where virtualization is making headway:

1. Network virtualization is a method of combining the available resources in a network by splitting up the available bandwidth into channels, each of which is independent from the others and can be assigned -- or reassigned -- to a particular server or device in real time. The idea is that virtualization disguises the true complexity of the network by separating it into manageable parts, much like your partitioned hard drive makes it easier to manage your files.
2. Storage virtualization is the pooling of physical storage from multiple network storage devices into what appears to be a single storage device that is managed from a central console. Storage virtualization is commonly used in storage area networks.
3. Server virtualization is the masking of server resources -- including the number and identity of individual physical servers, processors and operating systems -- from server users. The intention is to spare the user from having to understand and manage complicated details of server resources while increasing resource sharing and utilization and maintaining the capacity to expand later.

The layer of software that enables this abstraction is often referred to as the hypervisor. The most common hypervisor -- Type 1 -- is designed to sit directly on bare metal and provide the ability to virtualize the hardware platform for use by the virtual machines. KVM virtualization is a Linux kernel-based virtualization hypervisor that provides Type 1 virtualization benefits like other hypervisors. KVM is licensed under open source. A Type 2 hypervisor requires a host operating system and is more often used for testing and labs.
4. Data virtualization is abstracting the traditional technical details of data and data management, such as location, performance or format, in favor of broader access and more resiliency tied to business needs. 5. Desktop virtualization is virtualizing a workstation load rather than a server. This allows the user to access the desktop remotely, typically using a thin client at the desk. Since the workstation is essentially running in a data center server, access to it can be both more secure and portable. The operating system license does still need to be accounted for as well as the infrastructure. 6. Application virtualization is abstracting the application layer away from the operating system. This way, the application can run in an encapsulated form without being depended upon on by the operating system underneath. This can allow a Windows application to run on Linux and vice versa, in addition to adding a level of isolation.

Advantages of virtualization

The advantages of utilizing a virtualized environment include the following:

1. Lower costs. Virtualization reduces the amount of hardware servers necessary within a company and data center. This lowers the overall cost of buying and maintaining large amounts of hardware.
2. Easier disaster recovery. Disaster recovery is very simple in a virtualized environment. Regular snapshots provide up-to-date data, allowing virtual machines to be feasibly backed up and recovered. Even in an emergency, a virtual machine can be migrated to a new location within minutes.
3. Easier testing. Testing is less complicated in a virtual environment. Even if a large mistake is made, the test does not need to stop and go back to the beginning. It can simply return to the previous snapshot and proceed with the test.
4. Quicker backups. Backups can be taken of both the virtual server and the virtual machine. Automatic snapshots are taken throughout the day to guarantee that all data is up-to-date. Furthermore, the virtual machines can be easily migrated between each other and efficiently redeployed.
5. Improved productivity. Fewer physical resources result in less time spent managing and maintaining the servers. Tasks that can take days or weeks in a physical environment can be done in minutes. This allows staff members to spend the majority of their time on more productive tasks, such as raising revenue and fostering business initiatives.

Benefits of virtualization

Virtualization provides companies with the benefit of maximizing their output. Additional benefit for both businesses and data centers include the following:

1. Single-minded servers. Virtualization provides a cost-effective way to separate email, database and web servers, creating a more comprehensive and dependable system.
2. Expedited deployment and redeployment. When a physical server crashes, the backup server may not always be ready or up to date. There also may not be an image or clone of the server available. If this is the case, then the redeployment process can be time-consuming and tedious. However, if the data center is virtualized, then the process is quick and fairly simple. Virtual backup tools can expedite the process to minutes.
3. Reduced heat and improved energy savings. Companies that use a lot of hardware servers risk overheating their physical resources. The best way to prevent this from happening is to decrease the number of servers used for data management, and the best way to do this is through virtualization.
4. Better for the environment. Companies and data centers that utilize copious amounts of hardware leave a large carbon footprint; they must take responsibility for the pollution they are generating. Virtualization can help reduce these effects by significantly decreasing the necessary amounts of cooling and power, thus helping clean the air and the atmosphere. As a result, companies and data centers that virtualize will improve their reputation while also enhancing the quality of their relationship with customers and the planet.
5. Easier migration to the cloud. Virtualization brings companies closer to experiencing a completely cloud-based environment. Virtual machines may even be deployed from the data center in order to build a cloud-based infrastructure. The ability to embrace a cloud-based mindset with virtualization makes migrating to the cloud even easier.
6. Lack of vendor dependency. Virtual machines are agnostic in hardware configuration. As a result, virtualizing hardware and software means that a company does not need to depend on a vendor for these physical resources.

The Disadvantages of Virtualization

1. It can have a high cost of implementation. The cost for the average individual or business when virtualization is being considered will be quite low. For the providers of a virtualization environment, however, the implementation costs can be quite high. Hardware and software are required at some point and that means devices must either be developed, manufactured, or purchased for implementation.
2. It still has limitations. Not every application or server is going to work within an environment of virtualization. That means an individual or corporation may require a hybrid system to function properly. This still saves time and money in the long run, but since not every vendor supports virtualization and some may stop supporting it after initially starting it, there is always a level of uncertainty when fully implementing this type of system.
3. It creates a security risk. Information is our modern currency. If you have it, you can make money. If you don't have it, you'll be ignored. Because data is crucial to the success of a business, it is targeted frequently. The average cost of a data security breach in 2017, according to a report published by the Ponemon Institute, was $3.62 million. For perspective: the chances of being struck by lightning are about 1 in a million. The chances of experiencing a data breach while using virtualization? 1 in 4.
4. It creates an availability issue. The primary concern that many have with virtualization is what will happen to their work should their assets not be available. If an organization cannot connect to their data for an extended period of time, they will struggle to compete in their industry. And, since availability is controlled by third-party providers, the ability to stay connected in not in one’s control with virtualization.
5. It creates a scalability issue. Although you can grow a business or opportunity quickly because of virtualization, you may not be able to become as large as you'd like. You may also be required to be larger than you want to be when first starting out. Because many entities share the same resources, growth creates lag within a virtualization network. One large presence can take resources away from several smaller businesses and there would be nothing anyone could do about it.
6. It requires several links in a chain that must work together cohesively. If you have local equipment, then you are in full control of what you can do. With virtualization, you lose that control because several links must work together to perform the same task. Let's using the example of saving a document file. With a local storage device, like a flash drive or HDD, you can save the file immediately and even create a backup. Using virtualization, your ISP connection would need to be valid. Your LAN or Wi-Fi would need to be working. Your online storage option would need to be available. If any of those are not working, then you're not saving that file.
7. It takes time. Although you save time during the implementation phases of virtualization, it costs users time over the long-run when compared to local systems. That is because there are extra steps that must be followed to generate the desired result.