Virtualization, in computing, refers to the act of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including but not limited to a virtual computer hardware platform, operating system (OS), storage device, or computer network resources. By running multiple operating systems and multiple applications on the same physical server, virtualization lets you reduce costs while increasing the efficiency and utilization of your existing hardware. Virtualization offers the following advantages:
- Consolidate machines
- Isolate performance, security, and configuration
- Flexibility
- Rapid provisioning of new services
- Simplified failure/disaster recovery (when used with data replication)
- Reduced management, networking, power, maintenance, and purchase costs
Virtualization Is Not Cloud Computing!
Cloud computing is essentially the delivery of shared computing resources (software and/or data) on demand through the Internet. Cloud computing is one thing you can do with virtualization. Whether or not you are in the cloud or not, you can start by virtualizing your servers and then move to cloud computing for even more agility and increased self-service. In virtualization, you are controlling the internal management of hardware and in cloud computing, services are already taken care by the provider of your wide area network.rovider of your wide area network.
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