Types Of
Virtualization
There are different types of virtualization:
• Server Virtualization = used to consolidate multiple physical
servers onto fewer physical servers (or physical to virtual, P2V). Server
virtualization goes between the physical server and the operating system,
allowing you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on the same physical
server.
• Desktop Virtualization = used to move end user desktops from their
local PC, “to the cloud”. In other words, end user desktops are virtualized and
they are accessed using thin client devices.
• Application Virtualization = used to package applications so that they
can be run anywhere, from a single executable.
• Storage Virtualization = used to run virtual storage appliances
which can be easily moved from one hardware platform to another.
• I/O Virtualization = used to reduce the number of I/O cables
that go to a server and gain flexibility.
• Network Virtualization = used to create virtual networks inside a
server to connect virtual machines together and create virtual security zones.
Why is
virtualization so popular?
The answer is that it helps both the admins who wrestle
with the servers on a daily basis AND the company, in so many ways.
VIRTUALIZATION SAVES THE ADMINS
Building, maintaining, and managing physical servers is a
huge pain. If you have been a server admin, you know that servers can be like
dogs – taking care of a handful can be fun but taking care of 50+ is a real
pain. Over the years, server admins have been pushed harder and harder by the
company to do more with less. Admins are pushed to bring up new servers and
applications faster. They are pushed to manage more and more servers with less
time. “The Admins” need help and virtualization saves the day.
Here’s how:
• Add new
servers in seconds
• Move
virtual machines from one server to another in seconds, facilitating server
swap or hardware maintenance, all with no downtime to end users.
•
Tremendously reduce the amount of time spent maintaining physical servers (as
there are fewer servers to maintain).
•
Automatically balance load across servers – add a new physical server and the
load is automatically balanced across them.
• Provide
high availability for all applications in the event of a server failure.
• Make disaster
recovery easy as servers have “hardware independence” and can run on any
physical server.
Hardware Requirements for a Virtualization
Lab
Whether you choose ESXi or Hyper-V, you’ll need some
server hardware to run it on. Here are the general requirements for both:
• 64-bit CPU with Intel-VT or AMD-V Features
• Minimum 2GB of RAM but 4-8GB would be ideal
• Just about any local disk should work. In fact, ESXi
can even be run directly from a USB key and use shared storage.
Related
Microsoft Certification
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
(MCTS): Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization = This Microsoft certification on
virtualization requires that you pass just one exam on server virtualization,
exam 70-659. No education class is required.
• Microsoft Certified IT Professional
(MCITP): Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator = The more advanced MCITP certification
requires you pass three exams that cover both server and desktop virtualization
technologies from Microsoft. They are:
- Exam 70-669
TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
- Exam 70-693
PRO: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator
- AND, either Exam 70-659
TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
- 70-652 TS:
Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring.
