Virtualization in Cloud Computing and

Types
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Virtualization is a technique how to separate a service from the underlying physical
delivery of that service. It is the process of creating a virtual version of something like
computer hardware. It was initially developed during the mainframe era. It involves
using specialized software to create a virtual or software-created version of a
computing resource rather than the actual version of the same resource. With the help
of Virtualization, multiple operating systems and applications can run on the same
machine and its same hardware at the same time, increasing the utilization and
flexibility of hardware.
In other words, one of the main cost-effective, hardware-reducing, and energy-saving
techniques used by cloud providers is Virtualization. Virtualization allows sharing of a
single physical instance of a resource or an application among multiple customers and
organizations at one time. It does this by assigning a logical name to physical storage
and providing a pointer to that physical resource on demand. The term virtualization is
often synonymous with hardware virtualization, which plays a fundamental role in
efficiently delivering Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions for cloud computing.
Moreover, virtualization technologies provide a virtual environment for not only
executing applications but also for storage, memory, and networking.

Virtualization
  Host Machine: The machine on which the virtual machine is going to be
built is known as Host Machine.
 Guest Machine: The virtual machine is referred to as a Guest Machine.

Cloud and Virtualization

 Virtualization is the "creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as a
server, a desktop, a storage device, an operating system or network resources".
 In other words, Virtualization is a technique, which allows to share a single physical instance
of a resource or an application among multiple customers and organizations. It does by assigning
a logical name to a physical storage and providing a pointer to that physical resource when
demanded.
 Mainly Virtualization means, running multiple operating systems on a single machine but
sharing all the hardware resources. And it helps us to provide the pool of IT resources so that we
can share these IT resources in order to get benefits in the business.
Cloud and Virtualization
These results include:
1. Server / Storage: IT resources from servers to storage, network, and applications are
pooled and visualized to help provide an implementation-independent, efficient
infrastructure, with elastic scaling – environment that can scale up and sown by large
factors as demand changes.
2. Automation using self-service portal: Point-and-click access to IT resources.
3. Automated provisioning: Resources are provisioned on demand, helping in
reducing IT resource setup and configuration cycle times.
4. Standardization through service catalog ordering: Uniform offerings are readily
available from a service catalog on a meted basis.
5. Flexible pricing: Utility pricing, variable payments, pay-by-consumption with
metering and subscription models help make pricing of IT services more flexible.

Work of Virtualization in Cloud Computing

Virtualization has a prominent impact on Cloud Computing. In the case of cloud
computing, users store data in the cloud, but with the help of Virtualization, users
have the extra benefit of sharing the infrastructure. Cloud Vendors take care of the
required physical resources, but these cloud providers charge a huge amount for these
services which impacts every user or organization. Virtualization helps Users or
Organisations in maintaining those services which are required by a company through
external (third-party) people, which helps in reducing costs to the company. This is
the way through which Virtualization works in Cloud Computing.

Benefits of Virtualization
 More flexible and efficient allocation of resources.
 Enhance development productivity.
  It lowers the cost of IT infrastructure.
 Remote access and rapid scalability.
 High availability and disaster recovery.
 Pay peruse of the IT infrastructure on demand.
 Enables running multiple operating systems.
Drawback of Virtualization
 High Initial Investment: Clouds have a very high initial investment, but it
is also true that it will help in reducing the cost of companies.
 Learning New Infrastructure: As the companies shifted from Servers to
Cloud, it requires highly skilled staff who have skills to work with the cloud
easily, and for this, you have to hire new staff or provide training to current
staff.
 Risk of Data: Hosting data on third-party resources can lead to putting the
data at risk, it has the chance of getting attacked by any hacker or cracker
very easily.
Characteristics of Virtualization
 Increased Security: The ability to control the execution of a guest program
in a completely transparent manner opens new possibilities for delivering a
secure, controlled execution environment. All the operations of the guest
programs are generally performed against the virtual machine, which then
translates and applies them to the host programs.
 Managed Execution: In particular, sharing, aggregation, emulation, and
isolation are the most relevant features.
 Sharing: Virtualization allows the creation of a separate computing
environment within the same host.
 Aggregation: It is possible to share physical resources among several
guests, but virtualization also allows aggregation, which is the opposite
process.
Types of Virtualization
1. Application Virtualization
2. Network Virtualization
3. Desktop Virtualization
4. Storage Virtualization
5. Server Virtualization
6. Data virtualization

Types of Virtualization
1. Application Virtualization: Application virtualization helps a user to have remote
access to an application from a server. The server stores all personal information and
other characteristics of the application but can still run on a local workstation through
the internet. An example of this would be a user who needs to run two different
versions of the same software. Technologies that use application virtualization are
hosted applications and packaged applications.
2. Network Virtualization: The ability to run multiple virtual networks with each
having a separate control and data plan. It co-exists together on top of one physical
network. It can be managed by individual parties that are potentially confidential to
each other. Network virtualization provides a facility to create and provision virtual
networks, logical switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, Virtual Private Networks
(VPN), and workload security within days or even weeks.

Network Virtualization

3. Desktop Virtualization: Desktop virtualization allows the users’ OS to be

remotely stored on a server in the data center. It allows the user to access their desktop
virtually, from any location by a different machine. Users who want specific operating
systems other than Windows Server will need to have a virtual desktop. The main
benefits of desktop virtualization are user mobility, portability, and easy management
of software installation, updates, and patches.
4. Storage Virtualization: Storage virtualization is an array of servers that are
managed by a virtual storage system. The servers aren’t aware of exactly where their
data is stored and instead function more like worker bees in a hive. It makes managing
storage from multiple sources be managed and utilized as a single repository. storage
virtualization software maintains smooth operations, consistent performance, and a
continuous suite of advanced functions despite changes, breaks down, and differences
in the underlying equipment.
5. Server Virtualization: This is a kind of virtualization in which the masking of
server resources takes place. Here, the central server (physical server) is divided into
multiple different virtual servers by changing the identity number, and processors. So,
each system can operate its operating systems in an isolated manner. Where each sub-
server knows the identity of the central server. It causes an increase in performance
and reduces the operating cost by the deployment of main server resources into a sub-
server resource. It’s beneficial in virtual migration, reducing energy consumption,
reducing infrastructural costs, etc.

Server Virtualization

6. Data Virtualization: This is the kind of virtualization in which the data is collected
from various sources and managed at a single place without knowing more about the
technical information like how data is collected, stored & formatted then arranged that
data logically so that its virtual view can be accessed by its interested people and
stakeholders, and users through the various cloud services remotely. Many big giant
companies are providing their services like Oracle, IBM, At scale, Cdata, etc.
Uses of Virtualization
 Data-integration
 Business-integration
 Service-oriented architecture data-services
 Searching organizational data

How does virtualization work in cloud

computing?
Virtualization plays a very important role in the cloud computing technology,
normally in the cloud computing, users share the data present in the clouds like
application etc, but actually with the help of virtualization users shares the
Infrastructure.

The main usage of Virtualization Technology is to provide the applications with

the standard versions to their cloud users, suppose if the next version of that
application is released, then cloud provider has to provide the latest version to their
cloud users and practically it is possible because it is more expensive.
To overcome this problem we use basically virtualization technology, By using
virtualization, all severs and the software application which are required by other
cloud providers are maintained by the third party people, and the cloud providers
has to pay the money on monthly or annual basis.

Virtualization technology examples:

1. Xen
2. VMware

Conclusion
Mainly Virtualization means, running multiple operating systems on a single machine
but sharing all the hardware resources. And it helps us to provide the pool of IT
resources so that we can share these IT resources in order get benefits in the
business.

1.7 Cloud Services Requirements

 When building out a cloud strategy, there are several in-depth steps that must be
taken to ensure a robust infrastructure.

 Requirement 1: Service and Resource Management

A cloud infrastructure virtualizes all components of a data center. Service
management is a measured package of applications and services that end users can
easily deploy and manage via a public and/or private cloud vendor. And a simplified
tool to outline and gauge services is vital for cloud administrators to market
functionality.

Service management needs to contain resource maintenance, resource guarantees,

billing cycles, and measured regulations. Once deployed, management services
should help create policies for data and workflows to make sure it’s fully efficient and
processes are delivered to systems in the cloud.

 Requirement 2: Data Center Management Tools Integration

Most data centers utilize a variety of IT tools for systems management, security,
provisioning, customer care, billing, and directories, among others. And these work
with cloud management services and open APIs to integrate existing operation,
administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P) systems.

A modern cloud service should support a data center’s existing infrastructure as well
as leveraging modern software, hardware, and virtualization, and other technology.

 Requirement 3: Reporting, Visibility, Reliability, a Security

Data centers need high levels of real-time reporting and visibility capabilities in cloud
environments to guarantee compliance, SLAs, security, billing, and chargebacks.
Without robust reporting and visibility, managing system performance, customer
service, and other processes are nearly impossible. And to be wholly reliable, cloud
infrastructures must operate regardless of one or more failing components. For to
safeguard the cloud, services must ensure data and apps are secure while providing
access to those who are authorized.

 Requirement 4: Interfaces for Users, Admins, and Developers

Automated deployment and self-service interfaces ease complex cloud services for
end users, helping lower operating costs and deliver adoption. Self-service interfaces
offer customers the ability to effectively launch a cloud service by managing their
own data centers virtually, designing and driving templates, maintaining virtual
storage, networking resources, and utilizing libraries. Administrator interfaces present
better visibility to all resources, virtual machines, templates, 9

service offers, and various cloud users. And all of these structures integrate by way of
APIs for developers.

Cloud Infrastructure:
Cloud infrastructure refers to the collection of hardware, software, and
network resources that are provided as services over the internet.
Instead of maintaining physical servers and infrastructure on-premises,
organizations can leverage cloud computing services to store data, run
applications, and deliver various computing resources on-demand.
Cloud infrastructure is typically managed by cloud service providers (e.g.,
Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform) and offers
scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency to businesses.

Cloud infrastructure is typically composed of the

following components:
Virtualization: Cloud infrastructure uses virtualization techniques to create
virtual instances of servers, storage, and networks. Virtualization enables
efficient resource allocation and utilization by allowing multiple virtual
machines (VMs) or containers to run on a single physical server.
Storage: Cloud infrastructure provides scalable and reliable storage
options for storing data. It may include object storage, block storage, and
file storage services.
Compute: Cloud infrastructure offers computing resources in the form of
virtual machines (VMs) or containers. Users can provision and manage
these compute resources as needed, scaling up or down based on
demand.
Networking: Cloud infrastructure provides networking capabilities to
connect and secure resources within the cloud environment. It includes
virtual networks, load balancers, firewalls, and other networking
components.
Management Tools: Cloud infrastructure is accompanied by management
tools that enable users to monitor, provision, and control their cloud
resources. These tools facilitate automation, orchestration, and
administration of the cloud infrastructure.

Dynamic Infrastructure:
Dynamic infrastructure refers to an IT infrastructure that can adapt and
scale based on varying workload demands.
It leverages cloud computing principles and technologies to dynamically
allocate computing resources, optimize performance, and meet changing
requirements.

Cloud dynamic infrastructure is based on an architecture that combines the

following initiatives:
 1. Service managements: Offers business transparency and automation
across the pillars of business for consistent delivery.
 2. Asset management: Maximizes the value of critical business and IT
assets over their lifecycle with industry – tailored asset management
solutions.
 3. Virtualization and consolidation: Reduce operating costs, improve
responsiveness, and fully utilize the resources.
 4. Information infrastructure: Helps businesses achieve information
compliance, availability, retention, utilize the resources.
 5. Energy efficiency: Offers green and sustainable energy solutions for
business.
 6. Security: Provides end-to-end industry customized governance, risk
management, and compliance for businesses.
 7. Elasticity: Maintains continuous business and IT operations while
rapidly adapting and responding to risks and opportunities.

The key features of dynamic infrastructure include:

Scalability: Dynamic infrastructure enables the seamless scaling of
computing resources, allowing businesses to accommodate fluctuating
workloads. It can automatically provision additional resources when
demand increases and deprovision them when demand decreases.
Elasticity: Similar to scalability, elasticity refers to the ability of
infrastructure to automatically adjust resource allocation in real-time. It
ensures that the right amount of resources is available to handle workload
variations, optimizing performance and cost efficiency.
Automation: Dynamic infrastructure relies heavily on automation to
provision, configure, and manage resources. Automated processes and
tools enable rapid resource provisioning, reduce human error, and improve
overall operational efficiency.
Self-Service Provisioning: Dynamic infrastructure often provides self-
service capabilities, allowing users to request and provision resources on-
demand without the need for manual intervention from IT personnel.
Orchestration: Dynamic infrastructure incorporates orchestration tools to
manage and coordinate various resources and services in a unified
manner. Orchestration ensures smooth interactions between different
components of the infrastructure and helps automate complex workflows.
By combining the benefits of cloud infrastructure with the dynamic
allocation of resources, organizations can achieve greater agility,
scalability, and cost optimization in their IT operations.