Three Most Significant Types of Virtualization in Cloud Computing

By Cloud Computing Outlook | Saturday, September 19, 2020

Virtualization refers to creating a virtual environment on an existing server to run one’s desired program without interfering with any other services provided by the server or host platform to other users.

FREMONT, CA: Virtualization has become a fundamental aspect of the IT industry with the advent of cloud computing. It has the potential to transform a company’s infrastructure and boost its efficiency by offloading hardware requirements and utility costs. Virtualization in cloud computing enables users to run multiple operating systems and applications on the same server to ensure efficient resource utilization and reduce costs.

Here, let us look at the different types of virtualization in cloud computing:

Software Virtualization

Software Virtualization includes the creation of an operation of multiple virtual environments on the host machine. It builds a computer system complete with hardware that allows the guest operating system to run. For instance, it allows users to run Android OS on a host machine natively utilizing a Microsoft Windows OS, using the same hardware as the host machine does.

Hardware Virtualization

Hardware virtualization, also called hardware-assisted virtualization or server virtualization, is based on the idea that an individual independent segment of hardware or a physical server, possibly made up of multiple smaller hardware segments or servers, essentially integrating multiple physical servers into virtual servers that run on a single primary physical server. Every small server can host a virtual machine. However, the entire bunch of servers is treated as a single device by any process requesting the hardware. The hypervisor completes the hardware resource allotment. The main benefits include enhanced processing power resulting from the maximized utilization of hardware and application uptime.

Network Virtualization

In network virtualization, users can create multiple sub-networks on the same physical network, which may or may not be authorized to communicate with one another. This allows restriction of file movement across networks and improves security and ensures better monitoring and identification of data usage.