Virtualization 101
Instead of all the extraneous verbiage you might find elsewhere, we are going to cut to the chase since we know you have better things to do with your time than wade through a lot of unnecessary words.
Virtualization is:
- a single machine acting as if it were many machines
- the virtual computer runs its own operating systems and applications – it functions like a real computer but without the hardware components
Application Virtualization is:
- software technology that improves the compatibility, portability and manageability of applications
- the virtualized application isn’t installed in the traditional sense – it is acting as if it is directly interfacing with the original operating system, but it isn’t
Advantages of virtualization:
- It saves you money
- It saves you time
- It saves you aggravation
- It simplifies your life
- It’s green technology
HOW?
You need fewer physical servers to perform time-consuming tasks such as upgrades, monitoring and configuration
Fewer servers means less energy consumed
Virtualization enables high accessibility and availability without time delays and disruption
There is a faster server-client connection speed through a virtual switch
Virtualization provides safer and faster backups and restore with the ability to take live snapshots while the operating system is running, the ability to schedule snapshots of the operating system, and less time to recover the entire operating system
System compliance is improved because virtualization makes it possible to form a system not restricted by network limitations
No need to constantly purchase hardware and upgrades
Virtualization simplifies IT management from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection
Application virtualization can protect the operating system from poorly written codes or run applications that aren’t written correctly
Application virtualization allows applications to run incompatible applications side by side
Application virtualization helps keep costs down by maintaining a standard configuration in the underlying operating system across multiple computers in an organization
Manufacturers:
Citrix Systems: “Citrix Systems was born from the idea of unlocking applications from datacenters and employees from the office – creating new ways for people and IT to work. Today, this is the promise of virtual computing, and Citrix is at the epicenter.”
Products include XenApp and XenServer.
Website: www.citrix.com
VMWare: “As virtualization is now a critical component to an overall IT strategy, it is important to choose the right vendor. VMware is the leading business virtualization infrastructure provider, offering the most trusted and reliable platform for building private clouds and federating to public clouds.”
Products include VMware vCenter Server and VMware vSphere.
Website: www.vmware.com

