Currently, the traditional physical computer hardware was designed to run a single operating system or a single computer application, and it leads to servers that are seriously underutilized. If we need to run multiple operating systems at the same time, we need to have multiple servers because each operating system needs a dedicated physical server. It is an extremely expensive endeavor, and businesses need to spend more on operating and maintenance. Virtualization solution can eliminate this one-application-per-server model.
Virtualization is a technique which abstracts the functionality of hardware and makes it controllable via software, improving flexibility in the process. It is an essential technique for delivering cloud-based services and optimizing on-premises infrastructure. Virtualization solutions enable the company to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single server to boost work efficiency, agility, and security.
An Introduction of Virtualization Solution and How Does it Work?
In simple terms, virtualization solution is the process of creating a software-based virtual version of things whether that be computing, storage, networking, servers, or applications that behave just like their physical functionality. In other words, a virtualization solution is the method of creating multiple virtual environments within a single physical system, and these virtual environments are all using the hardware of the single physical environments.
This virtualization solution is achieved by using a thin layer of software called a hypervisor. Hypervisor is a software that creates the actual virtualization effect. It allows us to divide a physical system into many different and separated virtual environments, known as a virtual machine. The hypervisor allocates RAM, storage, and CPU power to each virtual machine as needed for more efficient hardware utilization.
Different Types of Virtualization
There are multiple types of virtualization depending on what type of IT resources needs to be virtualized. These virtualization types typically work together to help deliver IT capability remotely or from cloud-based instances. These include:
1- Desktop Virtualization
2- Application Virtualization
3- Server Virtualization
1- Desktop Virtualization
Desktop Virtualization simulates a user workstation on top of existing hardware such that the workstation can be accessed from a remotely connected device. With desktop virtualization, a user can access the workstation via a private (corporate network) or public (internet) connection, and interact with it as if it were running on their local device.
To virtualize a desktop, you first need to have physical infrastructure to run it on. This can either be hosted on-premises – such as an office location – or provided by a cloud provider, such as AWS or Azure. Once the underlying hardware is in place, we need a host operating system which runs virtualization software. On top of the virtualization software, we can then allocate a portion of the hardware to run multiple guest operating systems, each being a virtualized desktop accessible by end users via a network. Once a desktop has been virtualized, users can install and run applications normally.
Rather than purchasing physical desktop computer hardware to run your applications, desktop virtualization enables you to run the applications in the cloud and interact with them through a web browser. Using any kind of end-user device – such as a tablet, laptop, or desktop – that has an internet connection, you can access a highly performant virtual desktop hosted in V2 Cloud, and interact with the virtual desktop as if it were your own device.
2- Application Virtualization
Application virtualization refers to installing and running an application on top of an intermediary layer that sits between the operating system and the application. The application believes it is interacting directly with the operating system, while it is interacting with an emulated version of the operating system. This has distinct advantages in terms of flexibility and management by decoupling the dependencies between the operating system and applications running on top of it. For example, a macOS application can run on top of a Windows machine if the application is virtualized.
3- Server Virtualization
Hardware Virtualization is the practice of running multiple instances of operating systems on the same hardware. The underlying physical infrastructure can be partitioned into two or more instances using a hypervisor, each partition running its own operating system and applications. The result of server virtualization are virtual machines, which behave as individual workstations running separate workloads, even though they are using the same underlying hardware.
Compared to desktop virtualization, server virtualization is generally less flexible. While on a virtualized desktop, end users interact directly with the desktop as if it were their own device, virtualized servers typically run a pre-defined set of applications and often only communicate the output to users.
The Benefits of Virtualization Solution
Cost-saving
Virtualization solution is actually cheaper because it does not require any physical hardware resources, equipment, extra personnel, and maintenance. The IT organizations are no longer needed to dedicate large areas of space and huge investments in physical resources.
High flexibility and scalability
Users can basically access their computer applications and data on any computing device, in any location worldwide, as long as they have internet access. In addition, Virtualization solutions are highly scalable. It lets users easily upgrade or downgrade additional resources as needed such as RAM, CPUs, storage space, etc.
Enhanced Security and Disaster Recovery
One significant benefit of a virtualization solution is its data security. Reliable virtualization solution providers avail layers of cloud safeguards to protect one’s data and eliminate threats, such as the highest quality encryptions, routers, switches, and continuous monitoring to ensure one’s cloud remains safe. In addition, the virtualization solution stores user’s data in a secure cloud. Thus, users still can access their data even though the end device is lost. All V2 Cloud virtualization solutions include backup and recovery, and it takes a full backup of the user’s virtual machine automatically each day.
Five Virtualization Solution Providers
V2 Cloud
V2Cloud delivers fully integrated cloud pc virtualization solutions to help enterprises improve IT resource efficiency, cost optimization and security. Through a suite of pre-packaged desktop virtualization solutions, V2 Cloud provides the simplest cloud-based virtualization services to small and medium sized businesses.
While most solutions require in-depth expertise about the virtualization solution deployed, V2Cloud’s managed service only requires customers to define their requirements and then the virtualized environment will be provisioned and managed. V2Cloud’s customer onboarding team will help install your business apps and migrate your data, giving each user a personalized experience.
VMware
VMware is one of the largest players in the virtualization space, being the first company to commercially virtualize the x86 architecture. While VMware has a comprehensive portfolio of products, their most notable products are for virtualization and hypervisor solutions. These products are comprehensive and complex, being suitable for large enterprises with extensive requirements. The downside is that the products have long training curves and often need design, deployment and operation support from VMware.
Some of VMware’s most notable products include vSphere and Horizon. vSphere is a suite of server virtualization products that includes its ESXi hypervisor and vCenter management software. Horizon is VMware’s main virtual desktop infrastructure product, which provides desktop virtualization for on-premises devices and in the cloud.
Citrix
Citrix offers a range of virtualization and remote access products, including Citrix Hypervisor and DaaS. Citrix Hypervisor is an open-source virtualization platform that enables businesses to manage complex IT environments which consist of various types of workloads, mixed operating systems, and complex storage or networking requirements. Hypervisor can be used for consolidating multiple VMs onto a physical server, reducing the number of separate disk images to be managed and improving maintenance.
Citrix also offers application and desktop virtualization via their Desktop-as-a-Service offering. The service runs using Microsoft Azure infrastructure and enables customers to access remote desktops and applications.
Microsoft
Microsoft delivers virtualization solutions via their Hyper-V and Azure Desktop products. Hyper-V specifically provides hardware virtualization. That means each virtual machine runs on virtual hardware. Hyper-V lets you create virtual hard drives, virtual switches, and a number of other virtual devices all of which can be added to virtual machines. Hyper-V can be used to run software that requires older versions of Windows or non-Windows operating systems. Test software on multiple operating systems using multiple virtual machines and import and export virtual machines into any other Hyper-V system, including Azure.
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Oracle’s virtualization solution is VM VirtualBox, an open source, cross-platform, virtualization software that enables developers to deliver code faster by running multiple operating systems on a single device. IT teams and solution providers use VirtualBox to reduce operational costs and shorten the time needed to securely deploy applications on-premises and to the cloud
So Which one is the Best Virtualization Solution Provider?
Alright, we have introduced five virtualization solution providers such as Citrix, Amazon, VMware, and V2 Cloud. However, selecting an appropriate virtualization solution provider will never be easy for business. Your virtual environment might be ineffective or non-functional if you are not using the right tool. V2 Cloud beats its competitors because we offer a fully-integrated DaaS solution. We have our own servers and a feature-rich virtualization software. V2 Cloud ensures high availability, reliable performance, and secure access for your business. Start your 7 days free trial.
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