Types Of Virtualization

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.