Virtualization

 

What is virtualization?

 

Virtualization is that the creation of a virtual instead of actual version of one thing, like associate degree. Software package, a server, a device or network resources. Virtualization uses software package that simulates hardware practicality to make a virtual system. These apply permits IT organizations to work multiple in operation systems, quite one virtual system and numerous applications on one server. The advantages of virtualization embrace bigger efficiencies and economies of scale. OS virtualization is that the use of software package to permit a chunk of hardware to run multiple software package pictures at identical time. The technology got it’s begin on mainframes decades a gone, permitting directors to avoid wasting expensive process power.

Why we need virtualization?

While many look at virtualization as the cloud, in reality the cloud is just a part of virtualization. The most important function of virtualization is the capability of running multiple operating systems and applications on a single computer or server. This means increased productivity achieved by fewer servers. Virtualization can usually improve overall application performance due to technology that can balance resources , and provide only what the user needs.

Virtualization can be done in many different ways. 

Application Virtualization

 

This is a process where applications get virtualized and are delivered from a server to the end user’s device, such as laptops, smart phones, and tablets. So instead of logging into their computers at work, users will be able to gain access to the application from virtually anywhere, provided an Internet connection is available. This type of virtualization is particularly popular for businesses that require the use of their applications on the go.

Desktop Virtualization

 

Similar to Application Virtualization mentioned above, desktop virtualization separates the desktop environment from the physical device and configured as a “virtual desktop infrastructure” (VDI). The major advantages of desktop virtualization is that users are able to access all their personal files and applications from any location and on any PC, meaning they can work from anywhere without the need to bring their work computer. It also lowers the cost of licensing for installing software on desktops and maintenance and patch management is very simple, since all of the virtual desktops are hosted at the same location.

 

Hardware Virtualization

 

This is perhaps the most common type of virtualization today. Hardware virtualization is made possible by a virtual machine manager (VM) called the “hypervisor”. The hypervisor creates virtual versions of computers and operating systems and consolidates them into one large physical server, so that all the hardware resources can be utilized more efficiently. It also enables users to run different operating systems on the same machine at the same time.

 

Network Virtualization

 

Network virtualization is a method that combines all physical networking equipment into a single resource. It is the process of dividing bandwidth into multiple, independent channels, each of which can be assigned to servers and devices in real time. Businesses that would benefit from network virtualization are ones that have a large number of users and need to keep their systems up and running at all times. With the distributed channels, your network speed will increase dramatically, allowing you to deliver services and applications faster than ever before.

Storage Virtualization

 

This type of virtualization is very easy and cost-effective to implement, since it involves compiling your physical hard drives into a single cluster. Storage virtualization is handy when it comes to planning for disaster recovery, since the data stored on your virtual storage can be replicated and transferred to another location. By consolidating your storage into a centralized system, you can eliminate the hassles and costs of managing multiple storage devices.

 

What is Desktop Virtualization?

 

Desktop virtualization is a method of simulating a user workstation so it can be accessed from a remotely connected device. By abstracting the user desktop in this way, organizations can allow users to work from virtually anywhere with a network connecting, using any desktop laptop, tablet, or smart phone to access enterprise resources without regard to the device or operating system employed by the remote user.

Remote desktop virtualization is also a key component of digital workspaces. Virtual desktop workloads run on desktop virtualization servers which typically execute on virtual machines (VMs) either at on-premises data centers or in the public cloud.

 

Since the user devices is basically a display, keyboard, and mouse, a lost or stolen device presents a reduced risk to the organization. All user data and programs exist in the desktop virtualization server, not on client devices.

 

 

How does Desktop Virtualization work?

 

Remote desktop virtualization is typically based on a client/server model, where the organization’s chosen operating system and applications run on a server located either in the cloud or in a data center. In this model all interactions with users occur on a local device of the user’s choosing, reminiscent of the so-called ‘dumb’ terminals popular on mainframes and early UNIX systems.

 

What is remote application?

 

Remote and streaming applications execute an application that's not installed on the device in front of the user. A remote application runs on a computer somewhere else, in the data center. A streaming application is run from a network share that actually executes on the user's device.

Remoting is good if the user is accessing a variety of different devices. Today they're using their iPad, the next day they're using their home PC, for instance. Streaming is good for having more responsiveness in the application because it's running on the device itself. But it's limited to running only on the OS that the app would run on natively. So, if it's a Windows application, the device has to be a Windows PC.

How to access published application?

IT has two options for how it delivers published applications to users. One approach is to publish an individual app. And IT professional can do so using the command line on the machine on which the application lives. The other option is to publish more than one application selecting a folder of applications to deliver.

The exact process IT pros must go through to install published applications to Windows PCs varies slightly depending on the virtualization software they use, but there are some common denominators in terms of the steps they must take.

The basic process starts with turning on published apps on users' devices, which involves something as simple as clicking a check box or moving a slider to the on position in the application virtualization software. Next, IT selects a display name and description of the app. IT must then run a command to run the application from its local location and decide whether or not to make the app appear in the Start menu.

To publish apps as menus, IT follows the same basic steps, except the menus automatically appear in the Start menu. IT pros can use the shortcuts folder to change a menu's name in the Start menu.

Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop, VMware Horizon and Microsoft RDSH all offer the ability to deliver published applications.

Different virtualization software

VMware vSphere

 

As defined by VMware, vSphere is an enterprise-scale virtualization platform. In fact, vSphere is the brand name for VMware’s suite of virtualization products and features. This solution allows you to build a reliable and resilient infrastructure to suit basically any business needs while staying on budget.

The functionality of vSphere greatly helps existing data centers shift to cloud computing, and offers a means of increasing hardware utilization from 5–15% to as much as 80% or higher without compromising on performance. One of the benefits of vSphere is its potential to reduce unplanned downtime and fully eliminate downtime required for storage and server maintenance.

Here is a brief overview of vSphere functionality:

·        Virtual data center management: Create and manage multiple VMs with ease.

·        Migration: Perform live migration of your workloads and maintenance of your datacenters without downtime.

·        Support for remote locations: Manage your remote offices with little to no local IT administrators.

·        Flexibility: Build an environment to satisfy your needs using vSphere and the VMware stack, and open-source frameworks, such as OpenStack or VMware’s Integrated OpenStack add-on.

 

 

ESXi

 

ESXi is a hypervisor, or a type of virtualization software that allows you to create and manage multiple virtual machines using a single physical host. ESXi is installed directly on a physical machine, meaning that it is a bare-metal hypervisor. Unlike ESX, its predecessor, ESXi operates independently from any general-purpose OS, which greatly enhances security and simplifies management. Additionally, the architecture of ESXi allows you to speed up the process of deployment and configuration.

One of ESXi’s key benefits, touched on above, is the security level it provides. ESX and ESXi are equivalent in terms of functionality and performance. The difference lies in the architecture. In ESXi, the Linux-based service console has been replaced with new remote command line interfaces. This offers a way to reduce the on-disk footprint to less than 32 MB (as opposed to 2 GB in ESX 3). In turn, a smaller footprint allows you to reduce the overall attack surface.

A virtual representation of the processing and memory resources of a physical machine running ESXi is known as a host. Two or more ESXi-can be grouped into a cluster. You can dynamically add or remove the machines running ESXi from a cluster, and partition the processing and memory resources from hosts and clusters into a hierarchy of resource pools.

 

 

VMware vCenter

 

VMware vCenter Server allows for centralized management of your virtual infrastructure. You can control your hosts and VMs from a single console, which enhances visibility and helps with error prevention.

vCenter Server allows you to optimize routine operations and daily tasks, even if you are managing a large-scale infrastructure. With this functionality, you receive an in-depth insight into the configuration of the key components of your environment. The HTML 5-based vSphere Client provides you with an access to the key functions of vSphere from any browser.

Overall, you can run hundreds of workloads, thus reducing the effort required for managing physical environment of the same scale by more than two times. Additionally, the vCenter Server is now running VMware's own Photon OS, meaning that there is no need to bother with any third-party patches or upgrades. Some of the key features of vCenter Server include:

·        Single sign-in: Allow users to access the vCenter Server instances without further authentication after they log in once.

·        Inventory search: Access your VMs, hosts, datastores, and networks in one click.

·        Extensibility and scalability: Run up to 2,000 hosts and 35,000 VMs with a single instance of vCenter Server.

·        Alerts and notifications: Reduce the problem-solving times with triggers that automatically start the workflows required to prevent or remedy the emerging issues.

·        Host profiles: Capture the configuration of your host, including the networking, storage, and security settings, to deploy them to other hosts.