Virtualization

Virtualization
Name: Abhishek Seth

Enroll #: A1000708030
Batch: MCA IVA 2008-11
What is Virtualization?
Virtualization allows multiple operating system instances to run
concurrently on a single computer; it is a means of separating hardware
from a single operating system. Each “guest” OS is managed by
a Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), also known as a hypervisor. Because
the virtualization system sits between the guest and the hardware, it can
control the guests’ use of CPU, memory, and storage, even allowing a
guest OS to migrate from one machine to another.
By using specially designed software, an administrator can convert one
physical server into multiple virtual machines. Each virtual server acts like
a unique physical device, capable of running its own operating system
(OS).
Why use server Virtualization?
• Consolidation
• Redundancy
• Segregation
• Legacy Hardware
• Migration
CONSOLIDATION
It's common practice to dedicate each server to a single application. If several

applications only use a small amount of processing power, the network
administrator can combine several machines into one server running multiple
virtual environments. For companies that have hundreds or thousands of servers,
the need for physical space can decrease significantly.
This saves on:
• Cost : 10000$ per maintenance cost per machine

• Space: Less servers, less space needed
• Energy: Savings by upto 80%
• Environment: Reduced CO2 emissions due to decrease in number of servers
REDUNDANCY
Server virtualization provides a way for companies to

practice redundancy without purchasing additional hardware. Redundancy
refers to running the same application on multiple servers. It's a safety
measure -- if a server fails for any reason, another server running the same
application can take its place.
This minimizes any interruption in service. It wouldn't make sense to build two
virtual servers performing the same application on the same physical server.
If the physical server were to crash, both virtual servers would also fail. In
most cases, network administrators will create redundant virtual servers on
different physical machines.
SEGREGATION
Virtual servers offer programmers isolated, independent systems in

which they can test new applications or operating systems. Rather
than buying a dedicated physical machine, the network
administrator can create a virtual server on an existing machine.
Because each virtual server is independent in relation to all the
other servers, programmers can run software without worrying
about affecting other applications.
LEGACY HARDWARE
Server hardware will eventually become obsolete, and switching from

one system to another can be difficult. In order to continue offering
the services provided by these outdated systems -- sometimes
called legacy systems -- a network administrator could create a
virtual version of the hardware on modern servers. From an
application perspective, nothing has changed. The programs
perform as if they were still running on the old hardware. This can
give the company time to transition to new processes without
worrying about hardware failures, particularly if the company that
produced the legacy hardware no longer exists and can't fix broken
equipment.
MIGRATION
An emerging trend in server virtualization is called migration. Migration

refers to moving a server environment from one place to another.
With the right hardware and software, it's possible to move a virtual
server from one physical machine in a network to another.
Originally, this was possible only if both physical machines ran on
the same hardware, operating system and processor. It's possible
now to migrate virtual servers from one physical machine to another
even if both machines have different processors, but only if the
processors come from the same manufacturer.
Types of Virtualization
• Full Virtualization
• Para-Virtualization
• OS-level Virtualization
Full Virtualization
Full virtualization uses a special kind of software called a hypervisor.
The hypervisor interacts directly with the physical server's CPU and disk
space. It serves as a platform for the virtual servers' operating systems
. The hypervisor keeps each virtual server completely independent and
unaware of the other virtual servers running on the physical machine.
Each guest server runs on its own OS -- you can even have one guest
running on Linux and another on Windows.
Para-Virtualization
The para-virtualization approach is a little different than the full
virtualization technique, the guest servers in a para-virtualization system
are aware of one another. A para-virtualization hypervisor doesn't need
as much processing power to manage the guest operating systems,
because each OS is already aware of the demands the other operating
systems are placing on the physical server. The entire system works
together as a cohesive unit.
OS-level Virtualization
An OS-level virtualization approach doesn't use a hypervisor at all.
Instead, the virtualization capability is part of the host OS, which
performs all the functions of a fully virtualized hypervisor. The biggest
limitation of this approach is that all the guest servers must run the
same OS. Each virtual server remains independent from all the others,
but you can't mix and match operating systems among them. Because
all the guest operating systems must be the same, this is called
a homogeneous environment.
Limitations of Virtualization
•For servers dedicated to applications with high demands on processing
power, virtualization isn't a good choice.
•It's also unwise to overload a server's CPU by creating too many virtual
servers on one physical machine. The more virtual machines a physical
server must support, the less processing power each server can receive.
•Another limitation is migration. Right now, it's only possible to migrate a

virtual server from one physical machine to another if both physical
machines use the same manufacturer's processor
THE END

Virtualization

Uploaded by

Virtualization

Uploaded by

Virtualization

Name: Abhishek Seth

It's common practice to dedicate each server to a single application. If several

This saves on:

• Cost : 10000$ per maintenance cost per machine

Server virtualization provides a way for companies to

Virtual servers offer programmers isolated, independent systems in

Server hardware will eventually become obsolete, and switching from

An emerging trend in server virtualization is called migration. Migration

•Another limitation is migration. Right now, it's only possible to migrate a

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