TechTorials #5 | What is Virtualization?

         In computing virtualization is a process for creating a software-based, or virtual, representation of something, such as virtual applications, operating systems, servers, storage and networks within one system.

         Ok, let me explain with more simple words, Virtualization makes one physical computer act and perform like many computers, every computer has four key components, Processor, RAM, Hard disk, and network. Let’s take a computer with plenty of processor, Memory, storage and network component and install a software called Hypervisor, now this PC will called The Host. Using Hypervisor, we can create multiple virtual computer within the Host computer, these virtual computers are called Guest or Virtual Machine(VM). Hypervisor manages the resources of the host so that the virtual machine(VM)/guest use them as per their requirement and act exactly like a physical machine but they actually not rather they are just large configuration files. 

         Now why we use virtualization? Because It is the single most effective way to reduce IT expenses while boosting efficiency, let’s say, rather purchasing four individual server, it always saves money if you purchase a big computer and create that four server within it.

Now we try to understand the concept using some practical examples.

          Imagine you have 3 physical servers with individual dedicated purposes, let’s say AD Server, mail server, web server. Each server is being used at about 30% capacity—just a fraction of their running potential. You have another proprietary app which is needed for the internal purpose. So you hosted it on another server, and it uses 30% of the resource. 

          It is always easy and reliable to run separate tasks on the separate server, so one server with one Operating system with one dedicated task. Now with virtualization, you split the AD server into 2 unique ones, which can handle separate tasks and create that proprietary server within it. Now both together use 30% 30% resources and rest can be used by any of them at any time. 

It is the same hardware but you use more of it with more efficiently and save the cost of one server and its related cost like electricity bill etc.