| Emerging Technologies | | | | memory available. It also helps in improving the |
| "Virtualization" | | | | performance of applications on server as there is |
| | | | sufficient amount of memory available to them. |
| One of the hottest technology these days is | | | | With the help Network Virtualization networks can also |
| Virtualization, which basically means creating virtual | | | | be virtualized. It helps in combining the hardware and |
| environment with the help of software to run different | | | | software resource over network in to a virtual |
| applications like operating systems, software but using | | | | network. The network hardware like Network |
| the common hardware resource. It can also be | | | | Interface Cards (NIC) and software like Virtual |
| defined as combining software and hardware to | | | | Machines are used in forming a Virtual Network. For |
| create a Virtual machine which makes the single | | | | example, Microsoft Virtual Server can be used for |
| system to act as group of systems. | | | | running different OS like Windows and Linux over the |
| A few years ago when virtualization was not invented | | | | network. It allows the administrator to control the |
| yet, we used to have different systems with different | | | | bandwidth and resources to be shared among the |
| OS as they cannot be installed on same systems. | | | | network. |
| However, this problem was solved as people started | | | | The most common software used these days for |
| installing different OS on different hard disk partitions. | | | | Virtualization on Windows is Virtual Box. This |
| So during the boot time there were options asking | | | | application can be easily installed on Microsoft |
| which OS to run. With this the person was able to run | | | | Windows XP, Vista and the latest Windows 7 too. |
| only one OS at a time. | | | | After installing you can install any operating system |
| Then Virtualization was invented which allow user to | | | | over the installed one. You do not have to install the |
| run user more than one OS at a time. This was made | | | | operating on any separate partition. It is installed just like |
| possible through software generally called hypervisors. | | | | an application is installed on your system. There is no |
| They allowed users to install a new OS just like a new | | | | need to restart the computer to run the new OS as it |
| program is installed. For example- A person can run | | | | runs in a new window in your OS. For example, if you |
| Windows Server 2003 over Windows XP in a new | | | | want to run some programs which are not compatible |
| window just like a program is running on XP, all this on | | | | with Windows Vista which is already installed on your |
| a common system. | | | | computer then you can install Virtual Box Software |
| The main requirement of virtualization is a powerful | | | | and install Windows XP on Windows Vista. |
| host computer because it has to share the system | | | | There are many other programs available which help |
| resources with the virtual machines. Therefore the | | | | you run specific programs not compatible with your |
| computer should have enough RAM, Processing | | | | OS. One such program is DosBox. This program |
| capability, etc to support the virtually formed machines. | | | | simulates the MS Dos which help you run old Dos |
| Today Virtualization is of many types like Platform | | | | application over new OS like Windows 7. This program |
| Virtualization, Application Virtualization, Memory | | | | helps in running even the 8 bit color applications which |
| Virtualization, Network Virtualization, etc. The concept | | | | are not supported in new Windows. |
| of virtualization is based on forming an environment | | | | Now many companies have started including |
| which acts as base for running other applications over | | | | virtualization feature in their applications like the latest |
| it. | | | | Microsoft Windows 7. In Windows 7 user can set the |
| In Platform Virtualization, the virtualization is done on | | | | compatibility mode of a program with Windows XP, |
| host computer by installing control programs which | | | | Windows 98, etc so that the program can run without |
| simulated a physical computer system. Now the user | | | | any errors. We can also install Virtual PC in Windows |
| can install guest software over the virtual environment. | | | | 7 and run Windows XP which is available as freeware |
| The control program allows the user to assign the | | | | from Microsoft. |
| memory, processor, restricted access to peripherals. | | | | Virtualization has many advantages in IT some of |
| Application virtualization allows applications to run in | | | | which are listed below: |
| environments that do not suit the native application. We | | | | 1. One of the biggest advantages is cost savings |
| can run incompatible applications on an OS easily. For | | | | because with Virtualization a single system is enough |
| example, we can run Windows applications in Linux | | | | for many operations therefore the cost of hardware is |
| with help of virtualization software. Hence there is no | | | | reduced to much extent. |
| need to install other OS with which the application is | | | | 2. With virtualization the computer resources are used |
| compatible. There are some limitations of this type of | | | | in better way and to the maximum. |
| virtualization i.e. not all the applications can be virtualized, | | | | 3. It has helped reduce the server costs in networking. |
| so that they can run on the target OS. Some of the | | | | 4. It has helped in software development as the |
| software which help in application virtualization includes | | | | developer can test the applications on multiple |
| Microsoft Application Virtualization, Wine,etc. | | | | platforms on the same hardware. |
| Virtualization also plays an important role in managing | | | | 5. The power consumption is also reduced drastically. |
| memory in Network servers. This is done with the help | | | | In the end it can be concluded that Virtualization has a |
| of Memory Virtualization. It helps in arranging the | | | | very bright future in information technology as it helps |
| memory of different servers on network in such a | | | | to make the best use of the available system |
| way that they act as one entity. Thus they help in | | | | resources and get the maximum out them. |
| sharing the memory of servers. This helps in building | | | | Author- Bob Matharoo |
| the combined virtual server with large amount of | | | | @ dreadbob.blogspot. |