Virtualization
A process that allows for more efficient utilization of physical computer hardware and is the foundation of cloud computing
- It uses software to create an abstraction layer (A generalization of a conceptual model or algorithm, away from the specific implementation / A way of hiding the working details of a subsystem) over computer hardware that allows the hardware elements of a single computer (processor, memory, storage, etc.) to be divided into multiple virtual computers (Virtual Machines) * Each VM runs on its own OS and behaves like an independent computer, even though it’s running on just a portion of the actual underlying computer hardware
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- Virtualization enables more efficient utilization of physical computer hardware and allows a greater return on an organization’s hardware investment
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- Virtualization is the technology that drives cloud computing economics * Enables cloud providers to serve users with their existing physical computer hardware * Enables cloud users to purchase only the computing resources they need when they need them, and to scale those resources cost-effectively as their workload grows
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Basic types of virtualization
Type 1 OS VMs

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Type 1a

Type 1b

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Type 2

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