Module 2

Virtualization
Introduction to Virtual Machine
A virtual machine (VM) is a virtual representation or emulation of a physical
computer that uses software instead of hardware to run programs and deploy
applications.

VMs work by using virtualization, a process of creating software-based or

virtual versions of resources or applications.

By using the resources of a single physical machine, such as memory, CPU,

network interface and storage, VMs enable businesses to run multiple machines
virtually with different operating systems on a single device.
Introduction to Virtual Machine

A virtual machine is a computer file, typically called an image, that behaves like
an actual computer.

It can run in a window as a separate computing environment, often to run a

different operating system—or even to function as the user's entire computer
experience—as is common on many people's work computers.

The virtual machine is partitioned from the rest of the system, meaning that the
software inside a VM can't interfere with the host computer's primary operating
system.
How do Virtual Machines work?
Virtual machines use virtualization technology to create virtual hardware—or a
virtual version of a computer on a physical machine.

The physical machine on which the VMs run is called the host, and the VMs
running on the host are called guests.

Each guest VM runs on an isolated partition on the host, completely separated

from other guests.

It is possible to host multiple VMs on a single host machine, often a server,

running on a software layer known as the hypervisor.
How do Virtual Machines work?
The hypervisor abstracts the host machine’s physical resources, such as
compute, memory, or storage, into a pool that can be provisioned and
dynamically allocated to guest VMs as needed, providing more flexibility and
increasing overall efficiency.
Types of Virtual Machines
There are two types of virtual machines:

1. Process VM:
A process VM, also called an application virtual machine or managed runtime
environment (MRE), creates a virtual environment of an OS while an app or
single process is running and destroys it as soon as you exit.

It creates a platform-independent environment that lets an app or process run the

same way on any platform.
Types of Virtual Machines
There are two types of virtual machines:

2. System VM:
A system VM (sometimes called hardware virtual machines) simulates a
complete operating system, allowing multiple OS environments to live on the
same machine.

System VMs can run their own OS and applications, and a hypervisor monitors
and distributes the physical host machine’s resources between system VMs.
Cloud Virtual Machines
Cloud virtual machines are simply virtual machines that run on virtual servers in
the cloud.

Many cloud service providers let you create and run cloud virtual machines on
their infrastructure, allowing you to use their powerful servers as host machines
and leverage other software-defined services such as memory and network
storage.
How are Virtual Machines used?

 Consolidate servers
 Create development and test environments
 Support DevOps
 Enable workload migration
 Improve disaster recovery and business continuity
 Create a hybrid environment
Benefits of Virtual Machines

1. Resource utilization and improved ROI

2. Agility and speed
3. Portability - VMs can even move between on-premises and cloud
environments
4. Flexibility – create new environment on demand
5. Reliability – One VM virtually isolated from other VM’s
6. Security – VM file can be scanned for Malware
7. Sustainability - reduce energy consumption
Drawbacks of Virtual Machines

1. Performance issues – hardware dependent

2. Increased complexity – complex to configure and manage
3. Single Point of Failure – rely on single physical computer
Basics of Virtualization
Virtualization as Foundation of Cloud
Introduction to Virtualization
Virtualization is technology that can be used to create virtual representations of servers,
storage, networks, and other physical machines.

It allows for more efficient utilization of physical computer hardware and is the foundation of
cloud computing.

It mimics the functions of physical hardware to run multiple virtual machines simultaneously
on a single physical machine.

Virtualization uses software to create an abstraction layer over computer hardware that allows
the hardware elements of a single computer (processors, memory, storage and more) to be
divided into multiple virtual computers, commonly called virtual machines (VMs).

Each VM runs its own operating system (OS) and behaves like an independent computer even
though it is running on just a portion of the actual underlying computer hardware.
Introduction to Virtualization
The goal of virtualization is to support portability, improve efficiency, increase
reliability, and shield the user from the complexity of the system.

Virtualization enables cloud providers to serve users with their existing physical
computer hardware.

It enables cloud users to purchase only the computing resources they need when
they need it, and to scale those resources cost-effectively as their workloads
grow.

Businesses use virtualization to use their hardware resources efficiently and get
greater returns from their investment.
Why Virtualization?
By using virtualization, you can interact with any hardware resource with
greater flexibility.

Physical servers consume electricity, take up storage space, and need

maintenance. You are often limited by physical proximity and network design if
you want to access them.

Virtualization removes all these limitations by abstracting physical hardware

functionality into software. You can manage, maintain, and use your hardware
infrastructure like an application on the web.
Benefits of Virtualization

 Resource efficiency - ability to run multiple VMs in one physical machine

server
 Easier migration of application from one physical machine to another with
minimal downtime
 Lower cost of ownership
 Simulate hardware and run programs in incompatible OS environments
 Faster provisioning
Hypervisor
The hypervisor is a software component that manages multiple virtual
machines in a computer. It ensures that each virtual machine gets the
allocated resources and does not interfere with the operation of other virtual
machines.
What is hypervisor?
A hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine monitor or VMM, is software
that creates and runs virtual machines (VMs).

A hypervisor allows one host computer to support multiple guest VMs by

virtually sharing its resources, such as memory and processing.

There are two main types of hypervisor:

1. Type 1 or Native or “bare metal” hypervisors
2. Type 2 or Hosted or “embedded” hypervisors
Hypervisor types
Type 1 hypervisor

A type 1 hypervisor, or a bare metal hypervisor, interacts directly with the underlying
machine hardware.
A bare metal hypervisor is installed directly on the host machine’s physical hardware, not
through an operating system. In some cases, a type 1 hypervisor is embedded in the machine’s
firmware.

The type 1 hypervisor negotiates directly with server hardware to allocate dedicated resources
to VMs.

It can also flexibly share resources, depending on various VM requests.

Hypervisor types
Type 2 hypervisor

A type 2 hypervisor, or hosted hypervisor, interacts with the underlying host

machine hardware through the host machine’s operating system.
• Install it on the machine, where it runs as an application.

The type 2 hypervisor negotiates with the operating system to obtain underlying
system resources. However, the host operating system prioritizes its own
functions and applications over the virtual workloads.
Examples
Type 1 Hypervisor Type 2 Hypervisor
VMware hypervisors like vSphere, ESXi and Microsoft Virtual PC,
ESX.
Oracle Virtual Box,
Microsoft Hyper-V.
VMware Workstation,
Oracle VM Server.
Oracle Solaris Zones,
Citrix Hypervisor.
VMware Fusion,
Oracle VM Server for x86