What is Virtualization?
Virtualization is the process of creating virtual versions of computing resources like servers, storage, networks, or operating systems on a single physical machine.
We run Virtualization on physical hardware for eg. HPE ProLiant server, Dell, Lenovo Think-system etc.
In virtualization we install operating system like, VMWARE Esxi, Microsoft Hyper-V on a physical hardware.
Virtualization plays a central role in today’s world by powering cloud computing, enabling remote work, reducing IT costs, and driving innovation across industries. It allows organizations to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical machine, making computing more efficient, flexible, and scalable.
Types of Virtualization
- Server virtualization: Multiple servers run on one physical hardware machine. (Eg. VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V)
- Desktop virtualization: Centralized servers deliver virtual desktops to users.
- Network virtualization: Combines multiple network resources into a single virtual network.
- Storage virtualization: Pools physical storage into a single virtual storage system.
How Virtualization Works
Virtual Machines (VMs): Each VM behaves like a separate computer, with its own operating system and applications, even though they share the same physical hardware.
Resource Allocation: The hypervisor dynamically allocates resources (CPU cycles, RAM, disk space) to each VM based on demand.
Rapid Deployment –Virtual environments can be created, modified, or moved quickly without affecting the underlying physical hardware.
🚀 Benefits of Virtualization
Efficiency: Better use of hardware by running multiple workloads on one server.
Isolation: VMs are independent, so issues in one don’t affect others.
Scalability: Easy to spin up new VMs without buying new hardware.
Flexibility: **Supports testing, development, and production environments on the same infrastructure.
Cost Savings: Reduces hardware, power, and cooling expenses.
🌍 **Key Roles of Virtualization Today
Virtualization is the backbone of Cloud Computing: Virtualization is the foundation of public and private clouds. It lets providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud deliver scalable computing resources on demand.
Here are some key term that provides the understanding of virtualization and cloud computing.
Scalability, Agility, High Availability, Global Reach and fault tolerance are foundational concepts in modern IT systems that ensure performance, flexibility, and reliability as demands grow or disruptions occur.
Why do we need a scalable environment?
Firstly, scalability handles the ability of a system to handle increased workload or growth without compromising performance.
In today’s world where managing big data plays a significant role, compute systems needs resource at any given time. With scalability we can scale CPU, RAM, to a single machine at a given time.
Here are two (2) key concept's of scalability
Vertical scalability: Adding more power (CPU, RAM) to a single machine.
Horizontal scalability: Adding more machines to distribute the load.
Importance: scalability enables systems to grow with user demand, data volume, or traffic spikes without needing a full redesign
Agility:
Is the ability of an organization or system to adapt quickly to changes, whether in technology, market conditions, or user needs?
In today's IT world, Agile systems support rapid development, deployment, and iteration.
Agile benefits includes: Faster response to customer feedback, Easier integration of new technologies.
Improved innovation and competitiveness
High Availability:
Is the ability of a system to remain operational and accessible nearly 100% of the time, even during failures or maintenance.
Redundant components Load balancing Failover clusters.
The main goal of high availability is to minimize downtime and ensure continuous service for mission-critical applications.
Fault Tolerance:
Is the ability of a system to continue functioning correctly even when one or more components fail?
Mechanisms: Redundant hardware/software. Error detection and correction.
Graceful degradation.
Global Reach:
Global Reach refers to the ability of a business, technology, or communication platform to operate and connect with audiences across the world, transcending geographic and cultural boundaries.
These are some key Characteristics of Global Reach
Multi-region presence: Offices, data centers, or partners in different continents.
Multilingual support: Websites, apps, and customer service tailored to local languages.
Cultural adaptability: Marketing and product design that reflect regional preferences.
Digital infrastructure: Use of cloud services, CDNs, and global networks to ensure performance and availability worldwide.
🧠 Here are some Examples of Global Reach
Amazon: Operates marketplaces in dozens of countries with localized logistics.
Microsoft Azure: Offers cloud services from data centers in over 60 regions.
Netflix: Streams content globally with region-specific catalogs and subtitles.
Another term to take in to consideration is difference between Elasticity and Scalability.
Here’s a breakdown in terminology.
Scalability is about a system’s ability to grow to meet increased demand, while Elasticity is about its ability to automatically adjust resources up or down based on real-time needs. Both are crucial in cloud computing, but they serve different purposes.
Conclusion: With the inception of cloud virtualization major leader’s like Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, and Google GCP play a major role in supporting 24/7 business continuity with high availability and zero downtown. This helps companies reduce significant cost, reduce workload overhead and minimize high Capital expenditure. Cloud computing is the future of modern infrastructure as a service.
Below are hardware images of physical servers use in cloud to run virtualization using VMWARE ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V Software.
HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen-10-series
HPE MSA 2062 Storage Controller
Dell Power-Edge R550
Top comments (0)