Virtualization Jargon Buster

The term 'virtualization' comes with enough jargon-baggage to make even the most fanatical tech-head wince, so take this opportunity to shed some light shed on the technology that will buoy budget while freeing up space; both real and cyber.

What is virtualization?

While the term relates to a number of different technologies, virtualization is essentially the “ability to run multiple operating systems and applications on the same physical hardware.”

Many businesses have large server systems on-site, each of which uses enormous amounts of energy while pumping out heat, which needs to be extracted; add housing and security and the costs go up.

Furthermore, often the processing power of servers is spread across a number of applications, which has led to one server being dedicated to one application. This, in turn, causes operational issues because it is very hard to maintain and increase machine numbers.

The problem has given rise to an innovative solution: software that behaves like hardware, aka virtualization.

What does virtualization do?

While most are familiar with the terms software and hardware, virtualization exists between the two. A virtualization product such as Hypervisor basically uses software to emulate hardware.

Running new software on one hardware stack to create virtual machines saves space, money (as new hardware does not need to be purchased), and energy, because operating powers increase while hardware that requires cooling, remains constant.

In practice, many businesses are switching to virtual servers, a process that uses “software to divide each physical machine into several virtual machines (VMs).” These, often multiple, virtual machines are called Guests, while the single physical machine into which they are built is called a Host.

The Guests share the same hard disk, CPU, video card and memory, which brings with it a range of advantages.

There are two primary hypervisor software solutions, Hyper-V and VMware, although there are other players in the space including Citrix XenServer.

Benefits of virtualization

Streamlining

Running a number of applications does not take up high levels of processing power, so if these applications can each be run off a single virtual machine, many applications can be run off one server.

This configuration takes a short cut to the previous goal of attributing one server to one application, because virtual machines are factored in. The broader picture sees the number of physical servers kept to a minimum, which in turn keeps energy costs down, improving efficiency.

Green data

By bringing down energy usage, virtualization contributes to reducing the considerably large carbon footprint of the IT world. Fewer servers means less IT rubbish to dispose of when the time comes, alongside a lowered need for energy to cool storage units.

Trial-friendly

Often developers are reluctant to test new applications on new machines, for fear of the applications affecting the machine’s smooth running. Instead of having to conduct test-runs on new server units, developers can turn to virtualization as a safer option.

Adaptability

Virtualization also allows you to have one application operating on “identical virtual servers on two different physical servers”. Applications can therefore stay in operation should a problem with the initial server appear. Furthermore, should harmful files contaminate a virtual machine, they can be easily shut down to prevent viruses spreading through other applications.

Teleportation

Also known as migration, teleportation describes the process of a virtual machine’s operation being switched between physical hosts with minimal or no disruption to the service provided.

The ability to free servers from hosting hardware makes it easier to apply upgrades or conduct maintenance checks in one section of the physical environment while keeping applications open in another. 

Another advantage is that under this process, clients or employees that are geographically far away can be sent virtual machines.

Virtualization jargon buster

Every tech-phenomenon accessorizes with terminology, and virtualization is no different. Below is a short glossary of key terms you will need to get to grips with the finer points of this advance in server software.

Virtualization

The creation of a virtual way of achieving something. In this context it refers to creating software-based virtual machines (VMs) able to support multiple operating systems from one physical server.

Host machine

The one physical server that supports one or several virtual machines.

Hypervisor

Also called a virtual machine manager, this software allows virtual machines to dialogue with the host hardware.

Virtual Machine

As the name suggests, this ‘machine’ exists only as a software emulation of a real machine. It does not physically exist. On the other hand, it shares the real hosting machine’s resources.  

VM Cluster

This is a group of VM hosts that operate as one large host. If a host is removed, each of the VMs that were being run off that host continue to operate on other hosts.

VMware snapshot

A duplicate of the VM’s disk file (VMDK). They give a change log for the virtual disk and can be used to assist a backup to a virtual machine should failure occur.

Conclusion

Data centers are known for keeping administrators busy with the number of problems they throw up, but VMs offer a powerful solution. Far from fully integrating virtualized technology, just a few elements of virtualization will bring benefits that will illustrate why these advancements are a game-changer for IT.