What Is Virtualization? Meaning, Types, and Software

• Virtualization is defined as the process of building a virtual system to replicate hardware capabilities.
• It employs a software solution to split the hardware components of a single computer, such as its processors, memory, storage, and others, into virtual machines (VMs). 
• This article explains virtualization and its types.

Table of Contents

• What Is Virtualization?
• Types of Virtualization
• Top 5 Virtualization Software

What Is Virtualization?

Virtualization is the process of building a virtual system to replicate hardware capabilities. It employs a software solution to split the hardware components of a single computer, such as its processors, memory, storage, and others, into virtual machines (VMs). These virtual machines have distinct operating systems, libraries, and other programs provided by the underlying host operating system.

Virtualization has been around since the 1980s. It was primarily used for testing systems or allowing multiple systems to share files or data without the need for computer network sharing. In the mid-1990s, virtualization became popular in enterprise computing with the introduction of virtual workstations (VWS). VWS allowed users to run their own versions of Microsoft Windows on their personal computers for use in office environments without purchasing a new computer or doing any additional configuration.

In 2006, Microsoft released its first commercially available product, Hyper-V, which allowed users to run several instances of Windows Server at once on any number of x86-based computers running Windows Server 2003 (or later) Enterprise Edition or Standard Edition. This allowed users to consolidate servers with identical hardware configurations into fewer physical servers and potentially save money by reducing the maintenance costs associated with running multiple physical servers with identical hardware configurations.

The advantage of virtualization is that users can partition a computer into multiple operating systems and applications, allowing them to use the computer for various purposes. Virtualization also allows users to create clones of a hard drive. This is particularly useful when a large amount of data needs to be backed up and stored in multiple locations.

Apart from reducing operating costs, the technology offers many benefits, including better workload mobility, enhanced resource performance and availability, automated processes, easier management, and lower ownership and operating costs for IT.

Benefits of virtualization

Virtualization has many benefits that can help IT managers and organizations in the following aspects: 

Benefits of Virtualization

1. Minimizes downtime and facilitates disaster recovery 

With virtualization, recreating or duplicating a server or virtual machine has become easier and more practical in case of a disaster or emergency. As the recovery process is pretty straightforward through the availability of regular backups, business continuity and stability remain unaffected. A virtual machine can be moved to a different location quickly, especially in an emergency.

2. Increases productivity and efficiency 

Fewer servers mean effective management of hardware and IT infrastructure. Managers can avoid the tedious task of applying updates to each server and leverage their accessibility of the virtual environment on the server to integrate changes across all the VMs. Moreover, the time saved can be used to focus energies on other operations, increasing the team’s productivity.

3. Allows better testing 

A virtual environment offers a safe haven for developers to test their applications without disturbing the rest of the operations. They can duplicate a virtual system and run all the necessary tests. Since snapshots or backups of any work done on a virtual machine are automatic, any error during the testing phase can be handled by reverting to the previous version. Developers find this extremely beneficial while working on new software patches.

4. Reduces carbon footprint 

The higher the number of physical hardware devices, the higher the power consumption. By reducing the number of servers, IT companies can drastically reduce emissions and do their bit to save the environment. Besides, the funds saved from cutting down on power consumption can be utilized strategically to support other business operations.

See More: What Is DevOps? Definition, Goals, Methodology, and Best Practices

Types of Virtualization

Virtualization technology does not stop at servers. The idea of virtualization has evolved to include programs, networks, data, and desktops, while it was initially intended for server virtualization.

Types of Virtualization

Here are some of the popular types of virtualization:

1. Data virtualization

Almost all businesses these days run on data. They have a horde of data from various applications in various file formats, stored on on-site hardware and software systems or in the cloud. Data virtualization allows companies to approach data dynamically and compile it from various sources. It allows the ready adaptation and modification of data from new sources.

Data virtualization tools integrate the systems that store data and the applications that access it. When a request or query from an application is raised, the layer accesses and provides answers available at different systems. Data virtualization ensures that data access is universal, thereby boosting organization-wide resilience.

2. Data center virtualization

Data center virtualization simplifies the provisioning and hosting of several virtualized data centers on the same physical infrastructure. Since the same data center can be used by different applications and organizations at once, its virtualization aids in optimizing resource and infrastructure utilization while lowering the capital and operating expenses of data centers.

Moreover, with virtual data centers, a business can easily reproduce a full data center environment without having to invest in infrastructure hardware of any kind.

3. Storage virtualization

Storage virtualization proves to be extremely beneficial in case of host failure. Since physical storage from several network storages is merged into one and controlled via a single primary storage, it ensures that the data is safe and uncompromised. It also equips these storages with enhanced capabilities such as replication and disaster recovery, thereby allowing certain IT operations related to storage (partition and protection) to be more flexible.

4. Server virtualization

As discussed earlier, server virtualization allows maximum usage of existing physical servers by creating several virtual environments that can work independently and simultaneously. It aims to boost resource sharing, consumption, and capacity for future growth, without having the user tied up in intricate server resources.

Through server virtualization, organizations can improve IT efficiency, decrease operating expenses, allocate workload effectively, and enhance application performance.

5. Network virtualization 

Like all other virtualizations, the goal behind network virtualization is to break down the complexity of a network into manageable components. A network’s bandwidth is divided into several channels and then assigned to the server and devices in real time. In the telecommunications sector, it is customary to virtualize networks to reduce the number of physical components, such as switches, routers, servers, cables, and hubs, which is crucial to construct independent networks.

6. Desktop virtualization 

Instead of virtualizing a server, desktop virtualization isolates the primary desktop environment from other desktop-using devices. It simplifies the simultaneous addition of security protocols and system updates across multiple virtual desktops.

Virtualizing a desktop can be done in two ways. Through virtual desktop infrastructure or VDI, users can access a wide range of OS without installing them on any device. This is achieved by having the central server run and stream multiple desktops on the virtual machines. The second method is to execute a hypervisor on a local computer, allowing users to run one or more additional operating systems on the same machine.

7. Application virtualization 

IT organizations employ several applications, and it is not entirely feasible to install all these applications on all desktops for users. Virtualized software provides the same user experience as an installed app on a physical machine. Since the application is on a centralized server, virtualizing helps users access it even if it is incompatible with their device’s operating system. It is through application virtualization that Windows applications can run on Linux OS.

See More: What Is DevOps Lifecycle? Definition, Key Components, and Management Best Practices

Top 5 Virtualization Software

Listed below are the top five virtualization software for businesses:

1. Parallels Desktop

Founded in 1999, Parallels is based in Bellevue, Washington. This software virtualization vendor specializing in solutions for macOS was acquired by Corel in 2018. It has offices in 14 countries.

Designed for Intel-based Mac, Parallels Desktop is effortless and offers seamless interaction between the host and guest machines. It receives regular upgrades to keep up with the most recent versions of Windows and macOS. It is also the only virtualization that successfully runs the ARM version of Windows, facilitating the quickest Windows and Linux simulation.

Pros:

• Reboot is not required for running different OS
• Comes with a wide range of one-touch tools for improving productivity
• Supports ARM-based Windows on an M1 Mac
• Better in testing as compared to industry rivals
• Excellent graphics performance for gaming
• Compatible with DirectX 11
• Offers easier recovery

Cons:

• Stability can be an issue
• Integration between Windows guests and Mac hosts is challenging

Pricing:

Parallel Desktop offers three editions of its software: Standard, Pro, and Business. The Standard edition works best for home users and costs,

• $99.99 with a one-time permanent license fee
• $79.99 per year for a subscription

Students can avail of a discount and pay only $39.99 per year. The Pro and Business editions cost $99.99 per year.

2. VMWare Fusion/Workstation Player

The cloud computing vendor VMWare is based in Palo Alto, California, and is well-known for being the first business to virtualize the x86 architecture effectively. VMWare offers some of the best virtualization software for storage, network, cloud, applications, and servers.

VMWare is one of the leading vendors of virtualization software. Workstation Player is a no-cost local virtualization option for Windows and Linux, whereas Fusion provides the finest virtualization for Macs. Both products allow easy simulation between virtual environments and operating systems from the same desktop.

Pros:

• Runs multiple OS on Linux or Windows PC
• Offers vSphere connectivity for cloud compatibility
• Personalizes several networks and privacy settings for VMs
• Allows software testing with Helpful Snapshot
• Free to use non-commercial version

Cons:

• Works only with Windows/Linux
• Cannot run multiple VMs at once in the free version

Pricing:

The cost of VMware Workstation 17 Player and VMware Fusion 13 Player is the same. You can buy the licensed version for $149 and upgrade it for $79.

3. Oracle VM Virtual Box

VirtualBox was first offered by a German company called Innotek under a proprietary software license. In 2007, it was released under GPL as a free and open-source solution. In early 2008, Sun Microsystems acquired Innotek. VirtualBox later became part of Oracle when the latter acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010. Since 2019, Oracle VirtualBox has supported only hardware-assisted virtualization and is still a free solution.

VirtualBox is popular amongst organizations that use several operating systems. It works smoothly on any PC with Windows, Linux, Solaris, macOS, and Intel-based Mac. This open-source software offers free access to all its platform features and tools. Being a type-2 hypervisor software, VirtualBox requires an existing operating system to function properly.

Pros:

• Free to use
• Compatible with most OS
• Free pre-developed VMs
• It comes with an open virtualization format that allows importing/exporting virtual machines
• It has a virtual USB controller to aid the seamless exchange of files

Cons:

• Outdated user-interface
• No dedicated technical support

Pricing:

Oracle VirtualBox is available for free. However, users need to pay for some of the additional features.

4. V2 Cloud

V2 Cloud was founded in 2012, with its headquarters in Quebec, Canada. In the US, its office is located in Delaware. It offers a secure cloud infrastructure that supports remote work environments.

V2 Cloud is a comprehensive Desktop-as-a-Service solution that allows users to work from anywhere. Organizations can leverage its security features, such as multi-factor authentication and HTTPS encryption, to ensure employees can easily access applications on the cloud. It works perfectly on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Raspberry Pi 4, and Web browsers (OS agnostic).

Pros:

• Multiple users on Windows 10
• High-performing cloud desktops
• Excellent technical support
• Office365 & AzureAD Integration
• 50 GB disk space (expandable)
• Offers easy collaboration between users
• Regular backup with snapshots
• Allows videoconferencing

Pricing:

The vendor offers a 7-day free trial. Pricing plans differ based on the number of users. For example, if an organization has only 1 to 4 users, the cost to use the software would be $105 per month.

5. QEMU

QEMU, or Quick emulator, is a generic open-source solution. It is written in C++ language and is a member of Software Freedom Conservancy.

Another free virtualization software on this list is QEMU. It is a simple, stable, and high-performing software that allows users to forego administrator privileges. As free software, QEMU or Quick Emulator has no fancy interface or additional tools. However, compared to paid options, it is well-liked because of its simplicity, easy deployment, and stability.

Pros:

• Open-source and free
• Easy hardware virtualization
• Compatible with all host OS and systems
• Allows users to sidestep administrator licenses

Cons:

• Not easy to navigate
• No support

Pricing:

This solution is free of cost.

See More: What Is Blue Green Deployment? Meaning, Benefits, and Challenges

Takeaway

As the world enters a new era of modernization, organizations are being forced to rethink their IT infrastructure plans and adopt options that are cost-efficient and offer increased productivity while making the most of their existing resources. Without virtualization technology, resources such as storage and server capacity cannot be utilized optimally. Virtualization has been around for decades, and finally, the significance of this technology is being recognized across the world. 

What type of virtualization has your organization adopted, and which products do they use? Let us know on FacebookOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!

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