Virtualization and Cloud Computing are the two key buzzwords that have revolutionized the IT industry and its operations across the product development lifecycle.
As one forms the basis for the other, these terms are often confused regarding definition and functionality.
The concept of Virtualization forms a base for Cloud Computing by helping the latter deliver shared computing resources, data, or software over the network, either as a service or on demand.
The cloud uses virtualization to deliver computing services and can act independently. It offers automated management, scalability, self-service, and pay-as-you-go capabilities.
In a nutshell, Virtualization is a technology that simulates or emulates hardware. At the same time, cloud computing refers to the services that result from this manipulation.
Talk To Our Cloud Computing Consultant
Useful link: What is Cloud Computing?
In this fast-growing world, the trend is toward maximum output with minimum expenditure, and the start-up culture has given this concept a needed boost.
In addition, the technology revolution has created consumer demands, which require firms to release more products to compete in the market.
The real challenge was effectively managing the resources needed for development, and hardware plays a vital role. Many firms report that the primary challenge with hardware management is the high capital expenditure. To address this, they looked at separating physical infrastructures or hardware using software resources for easy process execution. They called this the concept of Virtualization!
Thus, Virtualization is the concept of separating physical infrastructures to create various dedicated resources for multiple operations. It allows the simultaneous implementation of multiple operating systems (OS) and applications on the same server. Virtualization uses a Hypervisor on top of the hardware layer to minimize the dependency of workstations, storage, and other systems on the physical hardware. This results in cost savings for many firms, helping them achieve efficiency, utilization, and flexibility in managing computer hardware resources.
Refer to Veritis Virtualization Consulting Services for more details on types of Virtualization.
Cloud, A Resultant of Virtualization
While Virtualization involves manipulating hardware resources, the service that arises from this manipulation is called Cloud Computing. Cloud computing refers to delivering shared hardware resources, data, or software as a service or on-demand over a network.
Refer to Veritis Cloud Computing Consulting Services for more details on Cloud Computing and its types.
Useful link: Things CTO Needs to Consider Selecting a Cloud Network Security Solution
Virtualization vs Cloud: Understanding the Differences
Virtualization Vs Cloud Computing technologies are interdependent but not interchangeable.
While Virtualization forms one key basis for Cloud operations, a full-fledged Cloud can work independently of Virtualization to offer self-reliability, scalability, automated management, and pay-as-you-go service.
These two technologies also deliver specific services, such as Private Clouds in enterprise networks. Unlike Cloud, Virtualization allows multiple virtual servers for each single physical server.
Despite large data centers with multiple servers powering cloud solutions, the cloud cannot provide a similar service. To address this, cloud providers partition data across servers and present it to clients virtually.
Thus, Virtualization minimizes the need for multiple servers, enabling easy server maintenance and ensuring better usage of the existing server’s capacity, unlike a non-virtualized server called ‘Server Virtualization.’
By creating several virtual environments, called Virtual Machines (VMs), from a single physical server, Virtualization enables firms to run their operating systems on individual VMs, minimizing server maintenance costs.
Similarly, Storage Virtualization enables full utilization of the available hardware resources, 20-80 percent more than non-virtualization hardware. It does so by joining various storage devices’ computing resources into a single, shared virtual storage repository accessible to multiple users over the network.
This way, Virtualization works better for small firms, minimizing their expenditures and helping them address challenges regarding servers and storage devices.
Cloud Computing might sound a little costlier for smaller firms, as it involves adopting services over the Internet rather than having them on their network. However, cloud providers offer a handful of services that align with small businesses’ requirements.
Cloud computing offers a ready-to-go service for small firms, which can enjoy advantages such as access to sophisticated software, easier installation of applications and hardware, and the flexibility to try the software before purchase.
Overall, Virtualization and Cloud operate on a one-to-many model. In a nutshell, Virtualization can make a single system work as different systems, cloud computing brings all at a place as a ready-made service over the network, enabling easier access as a one-stop solution.
It all depends on how we implement it, whether you wish to have your environment or depend on something ready-made!
Got Questions? Schedule A Call
Also Read:
- What is Edge Machine Learning?
- What is Cloud Security Posture Management?
- What are the Types of Cloud Computing Services?
- What is a Cloud Consultant?
- How Digital Transformation Maturity Models Help Organizations Scale Their Digital Efforts
- From Data to Decisions: The Best Business Intelligence Tools of 2024
- Optimizing Resource Allocation in Kubernetes Clusters for Platform Engineering Efficiency