Hardware v/s Software

Virtualization
 Virtualization
Virtualization is a process that allows for more efficient
utilization of physical computer hardware and is the foundation
of cloud computing. Virtualization uses software to create an
abstraction layer over computer hardware that allows the
hardware elements of a single computer—processors, memory,
storage and more—to be divided into multiple virtual
computers, commonly called virtual machines (VMs). Each VM
runs its own operating system (OS) and behaves like an
independent computer, even though it is running on just a
portion of the actual underlying computer hardware
 Virtualization
Virtualization can be used to represent a collection of
hardware resources by defining a logical partition. It
divides single physical server into multiple logical servers
and works as a layer between the hardware system and
software running in them.

Virtualization usually creates a virtual version of

something, such as an operating system, a server, a storage
device or network resources which is rather the same as
the original one.
 Types of Virtualization
There are three areas of IT field where virtualization is making
its mark viz network virtualization, storage virtualization and
server virtualization. Virtualization also provides the security
and management of the logical environment.
Basically there are 2 types of virtualization in Server
hosting:-
• Hardware
• Software
Other types of Virtualization:-
• Desktop
• Storage
• Network
A machine reference model

Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)

Application Binary Interface (ABI)
Application Programming Interface (API)
 Software Virtualization
Virtualization of applications or computer programs is known as
Software Virtualization. The most widely used software
virtualization programs is SVS i.e. Software Virtualization
Solution. SVS is the new way to use software that allows to
activate, deactivate or reset the applications.
In Software virtualization, applications can be installed on the
virtual layer or virtual hardware that are created. We can run the
applications from the virtual space also inspite of being installed
on the host OS. Once the application is closed, any changes
made by the application on the host OS will not be saved.
 Software Virtualization
Software Virtualization mainly includes:-
• Operating System level virtualization
• Application and Workspace virtualization
• Service virtualization
Benefits of software virtualization are:-
• Client Deployments Become Easier
• Added Security
• Ease of Management
• Software Migrations
• Conflict Mitigation with Existing Software
Benefits of Software Virtualization
Application Compatibility: Virtualized applications can run on
different operating systems without modification, improving
compatibility.
Resource Efficiency: Virtualized applications share system
resources with the host operating system, reducing resource
overhead.
Simplified Management: Virtualized applications can be easily
deployed, updated, and removed without affecting the underlying
system.
Security: Isolation of virtualized applications enhances security
by preventing interference and reducing the attack surface.
Software Virtualization
Technologies
• Docker
• Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)
• Citrix XenApp
• Oracle VirtualBox (for desktop virtualization)
 Hardware virtualization
Hardware virtualization is the process of
creating a virtual version of a computer
system’s hardware, including the CPU,
RAM, and other peripheral devices. This
allows multiple operating systems to run on
a single physical machine, each with its own
virtual hardware resources
 Hardware Virtualization
Basically hardware virtualization includes the virtualization of
computer or operating system.
When Hardware virtualization occurs the virtual machine
manager is embedded in the circuits of a hardware component.
This virtual machine manager is called a hypervisor. The
hypervisor allows to work different operating systems on the
same computer by controlling memory, processor and other
components.
Types of Hardware Virtualization:-
• Full Virtualization
• Partial Virtualization
• Para virtualization
Benefits of hardware virtualization
Hardware virtualization mainly controls the virtual machines
which is much easier than controlling a physical server.
Benefits of hardware virtualization are:-
• More Efficient Resource Utilization
• Lower Overall Costs Due to Server Consolidation
• Higher ROI (Return On Investment)
• Increased Uptime Due to Advanced Hardware Virtualization
Features
• Increased IT Flexibility
• Disaster Recovery: Virtual machines can be replicated and
migrated to backup servers for disaster recovery purposes.
Examples of Hypervisors

• VMware vSphere/ESXi

• Microsoft Hyper-V

• KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)

• Xen
 Role of guest and host
In Hardware Virtualization, the code directly runs on the host
hardware with limited or without the use of any host system
except the hardware support. The disadvantage over software
virtualization is that the guest (the system which is being
virtualized) and host systems (the base system which runs the
virtualized system) need to use the same platform as they are
independent.
In case of software virtualization, the host system needs to
completely evaluate the guest’s platform. The advantage of
software virtualization is that host and guest platforms are
independent. But this approach is very slow and resource
consuming.
 Which is more efficient?
In hardware virtualization, the hardware of the host machine is
used. A virtual machine manager called “Hypervisor” handles
the guest’s and their time of access to the hardware.
Because hardware virtualization includes the access to the
hardware more or less directly, it is much more efficient than
software virtualization and so in very rare cases only any real
Integrated Sensor Platform (ISP) offers software rather than
hardware virtualization to their customers.
In software virtualization, a whole machine is virtualized
including both the hardware and the software.