Cloud Computing and Types of Virtualization

Roll No: 19BCS103

Assignment Title: Cloud Computing – Worksheet1

Cloud computing...the buzzword that's in the air right now

What is it actually??

Let me explain what is cloud computing and also virtualization and its types coz' cloud computing and virtualization go together like bread and butter.

Cloud computing in essence means using renting someone else's servers for hosting your application or storing your data or using theirs for any purpose you could imagine.

Cloud computing has become very popular for its pay-for-what-you-use economic model.

Let me take you back a few years back when organizations need to set up services such as app hosting, storage, other web applications for them. They had to buy hardware which weren't that cheap. They had to hire administrators who can manage the hardware, developers to develop software for their specific requirements which was a lot of overhead for organizations.

Fast forward and you have this treasure chest called cloud computing where you have a bundle of everything -- the services you need, the platform you want to develop your software and even just the hardware which is all for yours at a fraction of cost compared to how you did it previously.

 Now let’s talk a little bit about the types of virtualizations

Application Virtualization

This can be defined as the type of Virtualization that enables the end-user of an application to have remote access.

This is achieved through a server. This server has all personal information and other applicable characteristics required to use the application.

The server is accessible through the internet, and it runs on a local workstation. With Application virtualization, an end-user can run two different versions of the same software or the same application.

Application virtualization is offered through packaged software or a hosted application.

 

Network Virtualization

This kind of virtualization can execute many virtual networks, and each has a separate control and data plan. It co-occurs on the top of a physical network, and it can be run by parties who are not aware of one another.

Network virtualization creates virtual networks, and it also maintains a provision of virtual networks.

Through network virtualization, logical switches, firewalls, routers, load balancers, and workload security management systems can be created.

 

Desktop Virtualization

This can be defined as the type of Virtualization that enables the operating system of end-users to be remotely stored on a server or data center. It enables the users to access their desktops remotely and do so by sitting in any geographical location. They can also use different machines to virtually access their desktops.

With desktop virtualization, an end-user can work on more than one operating systems basis the business need of that individual.

If the individual wants to work on an operating system other than the Window Operating System, he can use desktop virtualization. This provides the individual an opportunity to work on two different operating systems.

Therefore, desktop virtualization delivers a host of benefits. It delivers portability, user mobility, easy software management with patches and updates.

 

Storage Virtualization

This type of Virtualization provides virtual storage systems that facilitate storage management.

It facilitates the management of storage effectively and through multiple sources accessed from a single repository. Storage virtualizations ensure consistent performance and smooth performance.

It also offers continuous updates and patches on advanced functions. It also helps cope with the changes that come up in the underlying storage equipment.

 

Server Virtualization

This kind of Virtualization ensures masking of servers. The main or the intended server is divided into many virtual servers. Such servers keep changing their identity numbers and processors to facilitate the masking process. This ensures that each server can run its own operating systems in complete isolation.

Data Virtualization

This can be defined as the type of Virtualization wherein data are sourced and collected from several sources and managed from a single location. There is no technical knowledge from where such data is sourced and collected, stored, or formatted for such data.

The data is arranged logically, and the interested parties and stakeholders then access the virtual view of such data. These are reports are also accessed by end-users on a remote basis.

The application of data virtualization ranges from data integration to business integration. They are also used for service-oriented architecture data services, and they help find organizational data.