Introduction to Virtualization

1
 At the end of this lesson, learners will
be able to:
❏ Define Virtualization and its uses.
❏ Differentiate between a
Supervisor, Hypervisor, and
Objectives Types of Hypervisors.
❏ Identify various Hypervisors.
❏ Explain the benefits of
Virtualization.

2
Introduction
Virtualization is a technology actively used by most businesses regardless of size. Virtualization
can occur anywhere locally on a network, in the cloud, and even on a desktop computer.
Virtualization is a powerful tool for most IT professionals and businesses, whether it hosts apps
in the cloud or tests applications on desktop computers.
We will explore how this technology works, its primary use cases, its benefits, and will begin
exploring its various features.

3
Virtualization
Virtualization is a technology used to create a virtual version of a computer platform. It
allows the single hardware system of a computer/server to run multiple operating systems
(OSs), applications, and shareable resources simultaneously.
This includes:
❏ Operating Systems (OSs).
❏ Network resources.
❏ Storage devices, etc.

4
Virtualization (continued)
❏ Host - A computer running specialized software.
❏ Virtual machine - The guest environment is often referred to as a VM.

5
Supervisor
A normal OS uses a program called a supervisor:
❏ Handles very low-level interaction among
hardware and software (e.g., task scheduling,
allotment of time, and resources, etc.).
❏ Full virtualization requires an extra layer of
programming called the hypervisor.

6
A Hypervisor:
❏ A Hypervisor is software or hardware that creates virtual machines called guest
machines or VMs. It manages the complex interactions between the host and
guest machines. A computer running a hypervisor is called a host machine.
❏ Complex interactions include:
❏ Operating systems (OSs).
❏ Network resources.
❏ Storage devices, etc.
❏ Sharing of physical resources

7
Hypervisor Types
There are two types of Hypervisors:
Type 1: Native Hypervisor (also called Bare Metal).
❏ This type of hypervisor runs on the host
machine's hardware to control the hardware and
guest machines. The hypervisor centrally
manages each virtual machine and provides
resources from the host's physical hardware or
❏
networked resources that are passed through.

8
Type 1 Hypervisors
Microsoft Hyper-V
VMware vSphere
An industry leader in Microsoft's primary
the virtualization offering comes
space. A popular included with their
option in the industry. server operating
It can be expensive, system. It is also
but it is feature-rich, convenient if you plan
and offers standard on virtualizing their
support systems for server software and
clients. Linux KVM have to license it
An open-source anyway.
alternative to the
main options. Due its
to being an open
source, it is free and
highly customizable.
However, official
support can be
difficult to procure.

9
Hypervisor Types (continued)
❏ Type 2: Hosted Hypervisors

❏ This type of hypervisor runs on a host

10
Type 2 Hypervisors

Windows
Mac
Vmware
VMware Fusion
Workstation
Oracle
Oracle Virtualbox
Virtualbox
Hyper-V
Parallels
Linux
VM Workstation
Oracle Virtualbox
Linux KVM

11
Summary
In this section, we introduced Virtualization, a technology actively used by most businesses
regardless of size. Virtualization can occur anywhere locally on a network, in the cloud, and
even on a desktop computer.
Virtualization is a technology used to create a virtual version of a computer platform:
❏ Host - A computer running specialized software.
❏ Virtual machine - The guest environment is often referred to as a VM.
A Hypervisor is software or hardware that creates and manages virtual machines called
guest machines or VMs. There are two types of Hypervisor:
❏ Type 1 - runs on the host machine's hardware to control the hardware and guest
machines.
❏ Type 2 - This type of hypervisor runs on a host computer's operating system the
way any application does.

12
Benefits of Virtualization

13
Benefits of Virtualization
Virtualization is important because it can save money by using fewer hardware
and energy resources. It also allows for using various applications due to being
able to run multiple kinds of operating systems (OSs). It also reduces downtime
and increases productivity.

14
Benefits of Virtualization (continued)
❏ Virtualization:
❏ Saves Power by:
❏ Placing multiple virtual servers or clients on a single physical system.
❏ Substantially reduces electrical power use. One server running
multiple VMs is significantly more efficient than numerous systems
running individual applications.

15
Benefits of Virtualization (continued)
❏ Allows hardware consolidation by:
❏ Avoiding the purchase of multiple expensive pieces of hardware.
❏ Replacing complex desktop PC abilities within clients.
❏ Simple and durable.
❏ You only need enough power to access the server.
❏ Running several servers or clients with a single physical server
machine.

16
Benefits of Virtualization (continued)
❏ Allows System management and security by:
❏ Easily manage system reboots and OS patching.
❏ Copying VMs between systems is more efficient than physically
moving servers.
❏ Shutting down a VM and restoring a clean copy rather than restoring
a physical system (e.g., due to hacking, virus, or VM failure).
❏ Providing VMs with the same security treatment as a physical
system. While also insulating systems in a controlled environment.

17
Benefits of Virtualization (continued)
❏ Allows System management and security by
❏ Saving Snapshots — Save the state of your virtual environment and go
back to it in case of an error or failure. This snapshot is used to backup
and restore the virtual machine to a particular point in the change log:
❏ It saves the virtual machine's current state and allows a quick return
to this state later.
❏ Not a long-term backup strategy, however.

18
Benefits of Virtualization (continued)

❏ Allows System management and security by:

19
Benefits of Virtualization (continued)
❏ Allows for better research and testing by:
❏ Eliminating the need to keep several machines on hand with various
OSs. Instead, you can set up virtual labs or resources for:
❏ Software testing (e.g., updates, patches, and production software.)
❏ Support systems, systems, and software that are reaching the end of
life.
❏ Remote workers, consultants, or contractors.

20
Benefits of Virtualization (continued)
❏ Prepares companies for cloud computing. Keep this in mind as we
cover cloud computing later.

21
Knowledge Check
❏ What is virtualization?
❏ What are the three primary components of a virtual system?
❏ What is the difference between a Type 1 and 2 hypervisor? Give examples of both.
❏ Name four benefits of virtualization.

22
Summary
In this lesson, we discussed the benefits of Virtualization. Virtualization can
save money by using fewer hardware and energy resources, and allows for the
use of various applications. Other benefits include:
❏ Driving down costs.
❏ Increasing IT efficiencies.
❏ Reducing downtime.
❏ Improving application availability.

23