Software Virtualization in Cloud Computing: Why do you need it?

Welcome to the 2nd type of virtualization in cloud computing, Software Virtualization. Software virtualizations are basically used to emulate a complete computer system and it further allows the operating system to run. Some of the examples are VMware software, Virtual Box etc. Like, hardware virtualization, here we will discuss advantages, working and types of software virtualization.

What is Software virtualization?

Software virtualization in cloud computing allows you to run two or more operating systems on a single PC. Also known as a hypervisor, virtualization software allows a computer server to host and handle multiple operating systems. It abstracts the software installation procedure to create virtual software.

Virtualization technology allows you to create IT services that are useful to your company by using resources that are traditionally used for hardware. It creates a virtual version of an operating system or server rather than the actual version.

Virtualization creates a virtual computing system, known as a virtual machine (VM), which allows companies to run multiple virtual computers, applications, or operating systems on a single server.

How does Software Virtualization in cloud computing work?

Before you know about the working of software virtualization in cloud computing, you should know that it begins with the urge to use various applications in only one system by creating a virtual environment. And creating a virtual environment to use more than one operating system is a complex process to administrate.

And for sure, you have noticed many applications sometimes cannot be installed in different operating systems because of the compatibility of the devices. So to overcome this issue, the concept of software virtualization came into action.

Because of software virtualization techniques, the developers are developing software that forms its own virtual environment with its own OS compatibility and runs on it. And due to this, the software now can be installed on different devices because there’s no need to install different operating systems as it forms its own.

Types of Software Virtualization

Operating System Virtualization

In operating system virtualization, the hardware is used which consists of software on which different operating systems work. Here, the operating system does not interfere with each other so each one of them works efficiently.

Application Virtualization

Application virtualization is a technology, that encapsulates the computer program within the operating system. It can say that application virtualizations refer to running an application on a thin client.

This thin client runs an environment, which is different from what refer to as encapsulating from the operating system which is the location of it.

Service Virtualization

In service virtualization, the DevOps team can use virtual servers rather than physical ones. It emulates the behavior of essential components which will be present in the final production environment.

With the help of service virtualization, the complex application can go through testing much earlier in the development process. It can say that service visualization is a technique to simulate the behavior of some components in a mixture of component-based applications.

Some benefits

• Time-saving: Software virtualization helps to complete the task efficiently, which ultimately saves time.
• High Security: It provides a firewall that prevents the software from any kind of viruses and attacks. So the data remains safe and secure.
• Effective Utilization: As known, software virtualization results in making use of more than one operating system in a computer. With the help of this, the available resources are utilized in the best possible way by creating a virtual environment.
• Quick Changes: The current user of the software is capable of making quick changes in the software according to the requirements. As the user demands, the software can be altered and modified in the best manner.
• Easy Deployment and Management: It is easy to copy a file to a work area or link it to a network in software virtualization. Also, managing updates here is simple. Users can update applications from the main server and can deploy the updated application to all client systems.

Conclusion 

Software virtualization is mainly about sharing all hardware resources and running multiple operating systems in a single machine or computer. With software virtualization, a pool of IT resources can be provided and shared to benefit various businesses.