Virtualization

In this topic, we'll first talk about virtual machines, and then we will go into the details of the virtualization technique.

What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine is an emulation of another computer within a real computer. Virtual machines run in processes called images and offer to a user everything a physical computer has to offer.

In other words, virtual machines have all the capabilities of a normal computer. The operating system inside your computer in virtual machines runs another operating system. The operating system of the physical computer (host) runs an isolated operating system and provides hardware features to it. The operating system running on the virtual machine is called guest.

How does virtual machine work?

Virtual machines run a virtual instance of a computer in the hardware decoupled layer. This process is called virtualization. Virtualization of the physical resources of the machine is performed by a software called hypervisor that creates, hosts, and runs virtual machines.

Thanks to the virtualization technique, virtual machines create a separate environment for users. They run in a program window within the computer's main operating system. The environment doesn't differ from the usual computer, so users can perform any operations they want in it.

Also, access to real computer resources is restricted by the hypervisor. So they have to run on the host OS.

Virtualization

Let's think about virtualization in a simpler way: you have a computer, and you want to divide the resources it has into multiple computers. We can divide the resources and create new computers within the computer. Virtualization is just that. So, let's take a look at how it works.

If we expand this sentence a little more, virtualization works like this: instead of physical machines, it creates a virtual environment inside these machines. In this way, organizations can divide a single physical computer (which can be a server) into many virtual machines, and each virtual machine can run different operating systems or applications.

Virtualization technology also provides scaling by creating multiple resources through a single server. In this way, it allows easy distribution and management of workloads. In addition, it provides cost advantages in terms of electricity consumption and infrastructure maintenance.

Types of virtualization

Let us briefly explain the five main types of virtualization according to their purposes.

Desktop Virtualization. It is a type of virtualization that allows computers to be virtualized and moved to a server; then users get access and use these computers or resources over the network.

Application Virtualization. It is a type of virtualization that allows applications to be run on a server before being installed on computers and used as if they were installed on the computer.

Server Virtualization. Thanks to server virtualization, physical servers are collected in a pool and are offered to the service of the users.

Network Virtualization. It is a type of virtualization that enables network-related components to be virtualized and work just as if they were connected to a physical network. It allows creating and operating more virtual networks with less physical resources.

Storage Virtualization. It collects physical data in a single storage, allowing data to be controlled through software. In other words, it is keeping the data in a virtualized file.

Advantages of virtualization technology

Below you can see the list of benefits that will serve as an overview of virtualization and its key components:

• In the event of a problem, virtual servers are quickly restored to working condition.

• It allows to quickly create new servers or scale up when needed.

• Reduces the number of physical equipment, significantly reducing the cost of hardware.

• The ability to serve with less physical equipment provides a great benefit from energy savings.

• It prevents the use of unnecessary resources.

• It allows managing and monitoring multiple servers and other components from a single point, thus preventing unnecessary labor loss.

Conclusion

Here's what we've covered in this section:

• Virtual machines

• Working logic of virtual machines

• Virtualization technology

• Virtualization types

Building a solid foundation on these issues will give you a great advantage in the technologies that will be discussed in later topics.