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virtualization Last modified: Tuesday, December 19, 2006
In computing, virtualization means to create a virtual version of a device or resource, such as a server, storage device, network or even an operating system where the framework divides the resource into one or more execution environments. Even something as simple as partitioning a hard drive is considered virtualization because you take one drive and partition it to create two separate hard drives. Devices, applications and human users are able to interact with the virtual resource as if it were a real single logical resource. The term virtualization has become somewhat of a buzzword, and as a result the term is now associated with a number of computing technologies including the following: storage virtualization: the amalgamation of multiple network storage devices into what appears to be a single storage unit. server virtualization: the partitioning a physical server into smaller virtual servers. operating system-level virtualization: a type of server virtualization technology which works at the operating system (kernel) layer. network virtualization: using network resources through a logical segmentation of a single physical network. application virtualization See also virtual. Contrast with physical. Compare virtualization with emulation.
An Introduction to Virtualization The purpose of this document can be informally stated as follows: if you were to use virtualization in a an endeavor (research or otherwise), here are some things to look at. Open Networks Today Networking news moves at a fast pace, and Open Networks Today lets you keep up with it. Open Networks Today offers its readers the ability to control how news is presented through customizing content filters, discussions, and news feed links. Swainson: Virtualization Everywhere in 5 Years The computing resources that make the bedrock of IT will be virtualized over the next five years to alleviate the tangled Web of complexity in data centers.	Related Categories Applications Computer Science Data Storage Networks Operating Systems Virtualization Related Terms application virtualization emulation grid computing logical network topology network virtualization networking operating environment operating system operating system virtualization operating system-level virtualization physical physical topology server virtualization storage virtualization virtual virtual desktop virtual drive virtual memory