Virtualization is a technology that has been around for years, but it’s application is now filtering down to the everyday computer user. It is the creation of a virtual, rather than actual, version of something, such as an desktop computer, a server, a storage device or network resources.
By creating a virtual environment we can separate our software from the hardware it resides on. This allows great flexibility in the management, deployment, & recovery of computers.
Some common applications of virtualization are:
- Virtual machines can be used to consolidate the workloads of several under-utilized servers to fewer machines.
- Virtual machines can be used to run multiple operating systems simultaneously, allowing the use of applications running in entirely different environments.
- Virtualization can make tasks such as system migration, backup, & recovery easier and more manageable. Using Virtualization, it is possible to create a standard image that can roll out to PC’s across an organization. Policies & permissions can be set & locked down, greatly enhancing security & minimising maintenance from IT technical staff.