what is virtualization? Virtualization fundamentals | types and benefits | VM | CCNA 200-301

Summary

In this CCNA session, the concept of virtualization is introduced, explaining its role in optimizing hardware resources. Virtualization allows for the creation of virtual versions of physical servers, operating systems, and network resources, making them more efficient and flexible. By using hypervisors, multiple virtual machines (VMs) can run on a single physical machine, improving resource utilization, reducing costs, and speeding up provisioning. The session highlights key benefits such as energy efficiency, cost reduction, increased uptime, and faster disaster recovery, showcasing how virtualization can enhance the overall IT environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Virtualization refers to creating virtual versions of physical resources like operating systems, servers, and storage devices using software.
• 😀 With virtualization, physical hardware can be used more efficiently, increasing utilization from 20-40% to up to 90%.
• 😀 A hypervisor is a thin software layer that allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical system by emulating hardware functions.
• 😀 Virtual machines (VMs) are independent emulations of physical computers that run their own operating systems and applications.
• 😀 Types of virtualization include server virtualization, desktop virtualization, operating system virtualization, and network function virtualization (NFV).
• 😀 Virtualization reduces hardware costs by enabling multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server.
• 😀 Virtualization is an environmentally friendly technology, reducing energy consumption and the need for additional power plants.
• 😀 Provisioning virtual machines is faster compared to setting up physical hardware, and the process can be automated.
• 😀 Virtualization improves resource efficiency by enabling higher utilization rates of physical servers, up to 80% utilization.
• 😀 Virtualization enhances system resiliency by allowing quick recovery from disasters through the replication or cloning of virtual machines, reducing downtime.
• 😀 The adoption of virtualization leads to significant cost savings in energy, cooling, and hardware maintenance.

Q & A

What is virtualization in computing?

Virtualization refers to creating a virtual version of something, such as an operating system, server, storage device, or network resource, through software rather than using the physical version.

Why did virtualization become more relevant during the pandemic?

The pandemic led to the shift from physical meetings to virtual meetings, making virtualization more essential as it allows for the creation of virtual environments that simulate physical ones, such as virtual meetings and remote work solutions.

How does virtualization improve hardware utilization?

Virtualization enables multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server, increasing hardware utilization by using a larger portion of the available resources (e.g., CPU, RAM, storage) compared to running a single task on each physical machine.

What is a hypervisor and how does it work?

A hypervisor is a thin software layer that separates the virtual machines from the underlying hardware, mimicking the functionality of physical hardware and allowing multiple VMs to run on a single physical server.

What is the difference between a host and a guest in virtualization?

The **host** is the physical machine that runs the hypervisor and the virtual machines, while the **guest** refers to the virtual machine that runs on the host, emulating an independent computer system.

What are some common types of virtualization?

Some common types of virtualization include **server virtualization**, **desktop virtualization**, **operating system virtualization**, and **network function virtualization (NFV)**.

How does virtualization reduce energy consumption?

Virtualization reduces the number of physical servers required, which in turn decreases the energy needed to power and cool those servers. This reduction helps lower the overall carbon footprint of data centers and contributes to energy conservation.

What are the key benefits of virtualization?

Key benefits of virtualization include cost savings, faster provisioning, increased hardware resource efficiency, reduced downtime, enhanced resiliency, and environmental friendliness due to energy savings.

What is the role of virtual machines (VMs) in virtualization?

Virtual machines (VMs) are virtual representations of physical computers. Each VM runs its own operating system and behaves like an independent computer, even though it is hosted on a portion of the underlying hardware. VMs allow for greater flexibility and resource utilization.

How does virtualization contribute to improved disaster recovery?

In case of a disaster affecting a physical server, virtualization allows for rapid recovery by cloning or replicating the affected virtual machine, which reduces recovery times from hours to minutes, enhancing the resiliency of the system.