Virtualization & Cloud Basics

What is Virtualization?

Virtualization is a technology that allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical computer.

It creates a virtual version of:

1. Servers
2. Operating systems
3. Storage
4. Networks
5. Applications

Using virtualization, one physical server can run many independent systems.

Virtual Machine (VM)

A Virtual Machine is a software-based computer that behaves like a real computer.

Each VM has:

1. Operating system
2. CPU allocation
3. Memory allocation
4. Storage
5. Network settings

Example:

• One physical server can run:
  • Ubuntu VM
  • Windows VM
  • CentOS VM

Hypervisor

A Hypervisor is software that creates and manages virtual machines.

It allows multiple VMs to share hardware resources.

Types of Hypervisors

1. Type 1 Hypervisor (Bare Metal)

Runs directly on hardware.

Features

1. Better performance
2. High security
3. Used in data centers

Examples

1. VMware ESXi
2. Microsoft Hyper-V
3. Xen

2. Type 2 Hypervisor (Hosted)

Runs on top of an operating system.

Features

1. Easy to use
2. Good for learning and testing

Examples

1. Oracle VM VirtualBox
2. VMware Workstation

Benefits of Virtualization

1. Better hardware utilization
2. Reduced infrastructure cost
3. Faster server deployment
4. Easy backup and recovery
5. Isolation between systems
6. Easy scaling
7. Supports cloud computing

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing means delivering computing services over the internet.

Instead of owning physical servers, users rent resources like:

1. Servers
2. Storage
3. Databases
4. Networking
5. Software
6. Computing power

Characteristics of Cloud Computing

1. On-demand access
2. Pay-as-you-use
3. Scalability
4. High availability
5. Remote access
6. Automation

Types of Cloud Deployment

1. Public Cloud

Cloud services shared over the internet.

Examples

1. Amazon Web Services
2. Microsoft Azure
3. Google Cloud

Advantages

1. Low cost
2. Easy scaling
3. No hardware management

2. Private Cloud

Cloud infrastructure dedicated to one organization.

Advantages

1. Better control
2. More security
3. Custom configurations

3. Hybrid Cloud

Combination of public and private cloud.

Advantages

1. Flexibility
2. Better workload distribution
3. Improved disaster recovery

Cloud Service Models

1. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Provides virtual infrastructure.

Examples

1. Virtual machines
2. Storage
3. Networks

Example Providers

1. Amazon Web Services EC2
2. Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines

2. PaaS (Platform as a Service)

Provides platform for application development.

Features

1. No server management
2. Easy deployment

Examples

1. Google Cloud App Engine
2. Heroku

3. SaaS (Software as a Service)

Provides ready-to-use software over internet.

Examples

1. Google Workspace
2. Microsoft 365
3. Zoom

Difference Between Virtualization and Cloud

Virtualization	Cloud Computing
Creates virtual machines	Delivers services over internet
Technology	Service model
Runs on physical hardware	Uses virtualization internally
Focus on resource sharing	Focus on service delivery