Cloud computing has changed the way we access and utilize technology. Not restricted to one, but leveraged by millions of users across different industries. But how do cloud providers manage to cater to the diverse needs of users? The answer lies in a powerful concept called virtualization.
In this blog, we will further explore everything about virtualization in the context of cloud computing.
What is Virtualization?
Virtualization refers to the process of creating a virtual setup or environment of computer resources like servers, storage, processing units and networks.
Simply think of it as shifting all your physical infrastructure over the internet into a virtual space. It’s like creating a copy of your operating system and other software to run an application over the internet.
This virtual environment is created through virtual machines that are software imitations of a physical computer and run on their own operating system and applications. Therefore, a combination of multiple virtual machines results in creating a virtual environment.
What Is Virtualization in Cloud Computing?
Virtualization technology makes cloud computing possible, as cloud providers set up and maintain their data centers in the virtual space. However, to access it, you require a physical device, such as a laptop or PC.
Putting it simply, virtualization focuses on creating computer resources and cloud computing is concerned with delivering these resources. You can access computer resources as per demand or standard pricing through a cloud service provider such as Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services and more.
Netflix is one of the best examples of a company that uses cloud virtualization. It uses VMs for various tasks like encoding videos, running recommendation engines and managing user accounts. This allows them to efficiently utilize their computing resources and isolate any issues within a single VM without affecting others. On the other hand, for cloud computing, it utilizes different Amazon Web Services. It offers on-demand access to computing resources like VMs, storage and databases. Netflix rents these resources from the cloud provider, scaling them up or down as needed.
Benefits Of Virtualization in Cloud Computing
Efficient Resource Utilization
Virtualization helps you utilize your resources fully so that their efficiency is maximized, and they don’t remain idle. For instance, instead of running one server on one computer, you can use virtual machines on the same computer for different jobs.
Cost Efficiency
Virtualization incorporated into your business eliminates any additional costs incurred on hardware. You cut down on your initial investments and ongoing maintenance costs, further saving storage. It helps you boost your IT capabilities smartly without incurring a hefty amount of investment.
Easy Scalability
With physical computers, you would have to incur hardware costs to upgrade your system with RAM or storage. However, with virtualization, all you have to do is add new virtual machines or expand the capabilities of the existing ones without incurring any additional costs. Scalability can be further enhanced to meet demand at peak periods and reduced when it declines.
Faster Disaster Recovery
Unexpected disasters affect business operations negatively, and restoring your physical infrastructure to normal takes a significant amount of time. On the contrary, virtualization eliminates this scenario in a business. Everything is in a virtual space and not physically present, which is safe from the damage caused by a disaster. Therefore, it improves resilience and facilitates business continuity.
Faster Configuration and Deployment
Unlike physical infrastructure that takes time to set up and configure, virtualization is a job of a few hours. You can create virtual machines in minutes using pre-configured templates. Also, its scalability is under control.
Easy System and Data Migration
When transitioning from one physical device to another, it requires much effort to migrate data and system configurations. But, with virtualization, the efforts are minimized. The entire configuration is saved in a single set of files, which means that without reinstalling and configuring from scratch, you can migrate to another system. It speeds up your cloud migration, enabling you to adapt to new hardware advancements, shift workflows to cost-effective servers and recover from hardware failures without compromising the maximum amount of time.
Types Of Virtualizations
Virtualization is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is different for every specific need. Let’s explore them:
- Server Virtualization
It is a type of virtualization that divides a single physical server into multiple virtual servers and each of these servers acts like a separate computer. They run on their own operating system and applications.
It is a cost-effective way to use server resources efficiently. In the absence of server virtualization, the physical server sits idle and only uses a small amount of processing capability, which leaves it underutilized.
Suppose a company runs an e-commerce site, and they need separate servers for the emailing system, database, and web server. With server virtualization, they can consolidate all the servers into a single physical server using multiple virtual machines. This way, they can save on hardware costs and simplify management.
- Storage Virtualization
It refers to a technique that curates all physical storage from several devices into a single virtual storage resource. This storage can be assigned to any of the virtual machines and regulates control from that very single source. This way, you get efficient storage management and streamlined activities such as archiving, backup and recovery.
Think of a business with multiple departments that require different storage needs. Using storage virtualization, you can pool all your physical device storage into a single virtual storage and further allocate storage department-wise.
- Network Virtualization
This is a type of technique where a virtual network is created over a physical network. Plus, multiple individual networks can be created but are managed through a single source. These individual virtual networks work separately and have different data plans of their own.
There are two types of network virtualizations:
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN): It controls network traffic routing.
- Network Function Virtualization (NFV): To enhance network performance, it groups the capabilities of network appliances like load balancers, firewalls, and traffic analyzers.
Take the case of a large hospital with distinct networks for guest Wi-Fi, administrative work and patient data. They can further build various virtual networks on a single physical network infrastructure through network virtualization. This provides better security and easier management of network traffic.
- Desktop Virtualization
It creates virtual desktops that users can access from any device, such as a tablet. It gives a feeling that the user is using a regular computer, which in turn is running on a virtual machine. It eliminates the need for physical desktops, saving money and ensuring security and control.
There are two types of desktop virtualization:
- Virtual Desktop Infrastructure: It runs virtual desktops on a remote server. Your users can access them by using client devices.
- Local Desktop Infrastructure: The hypervisor runs on a local computer and creates multiple computers with different operating systems, allowing you to switch between your local and virtual environments.
Suppose a business team is working remotely; by traditional means, the employees have to collect assets from the office or require their own. However, through desktop virtualization, team members can access their work desktops from any device with a stable internet connection. This way, they can ensure convenience and 24/7 availability.
- Application Virtualization
Allows users to access an application without installing it on their devices through a server. This particular server is the host and stores all the information and characteristics of the application. Therefore, users can leverage browsers or client interfaces to access these applications. Plus, they run on an operating system other than the one on which they were developed.
For instance, you can access Microsoft applications both on the Windows operating system and on a device with the Linux operating system.
- Data Virtualization
The data is collected from various sources in different formats and is also stored in different locations to allow its easy accessibility. However, when an application needs a certain type of data, data virtualization is used to bridge the gap. It forms a connection between the two sources through a software layer that requests data from the application’s end and returns the result in a particular format. It increases data access flexibility for integration and ensures a single, truthful source of data.
Suppose you need to understand buying behavior of customers of your business. For the same, you require sales and customer data from the Point of Sale and CRM systems. Using data virtualization, you can access relevant data from both sources and create a combined report over other applications.
Challenges in Cloud Computing Virtualization
Cloud computing and virtualization, together, are a great combo and offer benefits that we have seen above. However, there are a few challenges that you must be aware of:
- Complex Management: If a business continues to create more and more virtual machines, managing them all together can become complex after a certain period. It might also result in downtime and a drop in the functionality and performance of these machines.
- Risk Of Data Exposure: Virtualization carries a significant risk of data exposure because it allows users to access data stored in the cloud by logging in through different devices, anywhere.
- Skilled Workforce: Migrating from physical servers to the cloud requires relevant knowledge and skills. Otherwise, it might result in data loss or other technical hindrances. Therefore, businesses require skilled staff who can easily work on the cloud platform. Instead of hiring an in-house team, which adds to your costs and takes time to get on board, you can seek assistance from cloud computing consulting services firms. Their team of cloud experts ensures a seamless migration and provides tailored solutions to your business needs.
Conclusion
Virtualization is the basis of cloud computing, which offers scalability and efficiency to users that are needed to scale their modern IT infrastructure. It has eliminated the need for physical hardware, which has transformed how businesses manage and utilize their computing resources.
Despite the performance and data security challenges, virtualization’s benefits outweigh the drawbacks. As technology continues to evolve, virtualization in cloud computing will remain relevant in the contemporary IT landscape.
