Virtualization

Virtualization is a technology that gives a single computer platform the ability to run multiple operating systems at the same time. Through a software layer that mimicks hardware components the virtualized operating system runs as if it were on its own platform.

Why? Many ask why this would be done. What is the benefit?

The easiest answer is under utilization of hardware. 80 percent of server platforms sit idle 90% of the time, that is wasted resources that could be used. Through virtualization that wasted 90% of a system can be utilitzed 90% of the time making for better use of your investment.

That was the main benefit of virtualization, today however it has gone beyond just better utilization.

When an operating system is installed onto a hardware platform it is tied to that system. Moving it to another system can be a very painful experience as critical operating system files do not liked to be moved to disimilar hardware and normally results in a sytem crash. Normally you reinstall the operating system and the application and then restore data. With a virtualized system moving to a different hardware platform is simple as the underlying hardware is masked by the virtualization engine, so the operating system see’s what it had before, no crash, just a nice migration to bigger hardware.  This scenario is the same for disaster recovery.