Virtualization lets organizations run multiple isolated workloads from the same hardware platform, saving money, and enabling more efficient scaling.

It is also used by cloud providers to deliver on-demand computing resources for multiple customers using shared hardware. It’s what allows businesses to pay for only the cloud computing resources they need and quickly (or even automatically) scale up and down as needed.

Nicole Rennolds, writing for TechRepublic Premium, presents this guide to virtualization, discussing its evolution, how it works, the various types, and the benefits and drawbacks to consider before making the switch.

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TYPES OF VIRTUALIZATION

Storage virtualization

Storage virtualization is kind of the opposite of desktop or server virtualization in that instead of dividing one physical device into many virtual environments, it brings together many physical devices into one virtual environment. It allows you to access and manage physical storage devices from all over the network from one centralized location, as if it were a single machine. So, if one server runs out of storage but another one has unused disk space, administrators can reallocate that capacity to the server that needs it.

Examples of popular storage virtualization solutions include VMware vSAN, StarWind Virtual SAN, and Nutanix Acropolis.

Storage virtualization is also used by cloud platforms like Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) to offer on-demand capacity scaling. Customers access an isolated, virtualized storage environment using physical resources spread across many different physical machines, allowing them to easily add or remove capacity as needed without any time-consuming hardware changes on the provider’s end.

Enhance your virtualization knowledge with our in-depth nine-page PDF. This is available for download at just $9. Alternatively, enjoy complimentary access with a Premium annual subscription.

TIME SAVED: Crafting this content required 18 hours of dedicated writing, editing, research, and design.