Cloud computing allows multiple users to interact with the resources that might be available on a single server. Virtualisation creates an environment in which each customer’s unique need is accomplished. In short, virtualisation in a computing environment can help you manage your system efficiently, which maximizes utilisation and minimizes downtime.
Let’s have a look at its types and the benefits of each.
Application Virtualisation
As the name suggests, it helps the user to gain remote access to an application from a server. The server will store your personal information as well as the basic characteristics of an application. Furthermore, it can run on a local workstation through the internet. For instance, a user who wants to run two different versions of the same software would use application virtualisation.
Benefits:
There are many benefits to this type, such as:
- Portability
- cross-platform operation
- ability to run multiple instances of the application
Network Virtualisation
You may have come across the term computer network, which refers to the connection of different networks to communicate with each other. Similarly, network virtualisation refers to the combination of network resources for a single software-based network. Thus, it creates a virtual network where you have the administrative rights to control the hardware and software resources.
Benefits:
It provides a facility to create and provision virtual networks (within days or even in weeks) such as:
- logical switches
- routers, firewalls
- load balancer
- Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- workload security
Desktop Virtualisation
It allows the user to create a virtual desktop within a centralised data center (host). Hence, if you want to have an operating system other than Windows Server, you will need a virtual desktop. Then, the user can access the desktop virtually from any machine. Thus, it creates a portable workstation.
Benefits:
The main benefit of using it is:
- user mobility
- portability
- easy management of software installation
- updates
- patches
Storage Virtualisation
As the name suggests, it is linked with the virtual storage system. An array of servers do not know where the data is stored, but the virtual storage system manages them. Hence, you can manage different storage from multiple sources, which are utilized as a single repository. In short, it is the compiling of multiple physical storage devices into a single storage cluster, which is managed from a central device.
Benefits:
It maintains:
- smooth operations
- consistent performance
Conclusion
Virtualisation has many applications. You can use various types of virtualisation to make your hardware’s performance increased. Also consider utilising a penetration testing service for help with such needs.
