Virtualization (virtual implementation) – a technology for creating virtual hardware and software resources, allowing a single device to emulate the functionality of multiple independent systems.
The key component of virtualization – the hypervisor – is software that creates and manages virtual environments, distributing physical resources among virtual machines. Unlike the traditional “one system – one server” model, virtualization allows running multiple independent systems on a single device, each using its own resources, operating system, and applications.
Types of Virtualization
Modern virtualization technologies allow emulating the operation of hardware and software solutions at various levels of IT infrastructure:
- Virtual servers – the most common type, allowing one physical server to be divided into several virtual machines, each capable of running under different operating systems.
- Virtual implementation of data storage – combining physical storage devices into a single logical pool, providing virtual management and increasing the efficiency of disk space usage.
- Virtual implementation of networks – creating logical global structures, surface physical networks, allowing the creation of independent network segments with their own rules and policies.
- Virtual implementation of applications – isolating applications from external systems, enabling applications to work in a virtual environment independently of the hardware platform.
- Virtual implementation of desktops (VDI) – centralized management of virtual user workspaces, where operating systems and applications run remotely, and the user works at a distance.
Advantages of Virtualization
- Resource optimization for consolidating multiple virtual systems. The average load of traditional servers is 5-15%, while virtualization allows increasing this indicator to 60-80%.
- Cost reduction is manifested in decreasing the amount of physical hardware, reducing expenses for electricity, cooling, and maintenance. Requirements for server placement areas are reduced.
- Increased flexibility and scalability ensures quick creation, cloning, and use of virtual machines.
- Enhanced security. Isolation of various services and applications from each other ensures high data security.
Virtualization remains one of the key technologies transforming approaches to building and managing IT infrastructure, production efficiency, flexibility, and economy of modern computing systems.