Virtualization makes it possible for a single computer to act as several operating systems at once. It is possible to run several operating systems (OSes) on the same computer at the same time using a technology called virtual machines (VMs). Memory, a central processor unit (CPU), and a network interface are all independent components of any virtual machine (VM). The host operating system and the guest operating system are able to share their hardware and software resources thanks to virtualization.
example of a host operating system, guest operating system, and virtual machine
An additional operating system, known as a guest OS, may be installed in a virtual machine that is supported by the host operating system of a server. There is no assurance that the host operating system will be compatible with the operating system of the guest computer.
The installation of the guest operating system (OS) is required to be completed before a virtual machine (VM) may be started. Tests may be run on this virtual machine (VM) without disturbing either the real system or the data that it contains, which gives developers more freedom. Operating system (OS) of the virtual machine (VM) is Windows Server 2022, and it is powered by VMware ESXi. Boot Camp is similar to Parallels Desktop in that it allows Windows to be run as a guest operating system on a Mac. However, Boot Camp is designed specifically for Windows.
It’s possible that the host operating system of a virtual machine won’t be compatible with the guest OS. However, when the guest OS is placed on a disc partition, it cannot have a different operating system than the host OS. As a result, Windows has to be installed not just on the host computer but also on every partitioned disc that a guest operating system uses.
How many varieties of virtualization are there, exactly?
These days, every part of a traditional data centre or IT infrastructure may be virtualized using one of the numerous specialised types of virtualization available.
When hardware is virtualized, many virtual machines (VMs) are created as clones of real computers and operating systems, and then all of these VMs are combined onto a single physical server. A hypervisor uses the physical server’s storage and processing power to manage VMs. Server virtualization, or hardware virtualization, is a technique that allows for more efficient use of hardware resources and the simultaneous operation of many operating systems on a single physical machine. Server virtualization is another name for hardware virtualization.
One or more guest operating systems may be run on a physical host machine thanks to software virtualization. This is accomplished by building a computer system with all the necessary hardware. It’s called “virtualization” of software when this happens. So, even if the host computer is running Microsoft Windows, Android may still be able to make use of the same hardware. Furthermore, software might be virtualized and sent straight from a server to the user’s device. Tablet computers and smartphones are two prevalent examples. As a result, employees may use their own devices to access centralised applications even while working remotely.
Multiple storage devices may be “virtualized” into a single logical one. Storage virtualization describes this method. Savings may be realised via load balancing, faster speeds, and enhanced performance. The ability to quickly and inexpensively clone data from virtual storage and transfer it to another location is a major boon to disaster recovery planning, and here is where storage virtualization really shines.
In order to create many independent networks on top of a single physical network, network virtualization is used. This involves combining numerous pieces of hardware into a single, virtual network resource that exists only in software. And because of network virtualization, the available bandwidth is now being distributed over several independent channels. Various servers and devices may receive these channels at various times. Everything from system reliability to network speed to security to the ability to track individual users’ data use has been boosted. Virtualizing networks might be the best option for businesses with a big number of customers that want constant connectivity.
A common kind of virtualization, desktop virtualization stores a desktop image on a remote server rather than on the original device. With this setup, users may access their PCs from anywhere and on any device. Virtual desktops provide several benefits, including better data security, lower software licencing and update costs, and a simpler administrative interface. Virtual desktops also have the benefit of being easy to access.
