What is Computer Virtualization?
An environment that separates the computer system from the physical hardware, allowing a host to run multiple independent “guest” instances.
This technology enables efficient resource management and isolation of applications.
What is a Virtual Machine (VM)?
A software-based computer instance created within a virtualized environment that shares the host’s hardware resources.
VMs can run different operating systems and applications independently.
What is a Hypervisor?
A program or firmware used to manage computer hardware resources and distribute them among various Virtual Machines (VMs).
Hypervisors can be classified into Type 1 (bare metal) and Type 2 (hosted).
Contrast Host OS vs. Guest OS.
Host OS: The primary operating system installed on the physical hardware.
Guest OS: The operating system running inside a Virtual Machine.
The Host OS manages the hardware, while the Guest OS operates in a virtualized environment.
What are three disadvantages of Traditional Server Deployment?
- Wasted resources (idle CPU/RAM)
- Single point of failure
- Server sprawl (too many physical boxes)
These issues can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.
What is a Type 1 (Native) Hypervisor?
A hypervisor that runs directly on the hardware (bare metal).
Commonly used in data centers and cloud computing (e.g., VMware ESXi).
What is a Type 2 (Hosted) Hypervisor?
A hypervisor that runs on top of a Host OS.
Common for client-side virtualization (e.g., Oracle VirtualBox, VMware Workstation).
What are the four primary advantages of Server Virtualization?
- Better resource use
- Less energy/space
- Faster provisioning
- Improved disaster recovery
These advantages contribute to cost savings and operational efficiency.
What is the minimum RAM requirement for Windows Hyper-V on Windows 10?
4 GB of system RAM.
This is necessary to run virtual machines effectively.
What BIOS feature must be enabled for Intel CPUs to support VM Monitor Mode Extension?
VT-x (Virtualization Technology).
This feature allows the hypervisor to manage the virtual machines efficiently.
What is Cloud Computing?
A technology that separates applications and services from the underlying hardware, usually managed by a provider like AWS.
It enables on-demand access to computing resources.
Define SaaS (Software as a Service).
The provider gives access to applications (Email, Office 365, Google Docs) over the internet on a subscription basis.
Users do not need to install or maintain the software.
Define PaaS (Platform as a Service).
The provider provides a platform (tools, OS, and libraries) for developers to create, test, and run applications without managing the infrastructure.
This allows developers to focus on coding rather than hardware management.
Define IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).
The provider manages the network and hardware, giving organizations access to virtualized servers, storage, and networking.
This model allows businesses to scale resources as needed.
What is the cloud characteristic Rapid Elasticity?
The ability to quickly scale resources (CPU, RAM, Storage) up or down based on demand.
This characteristic allows for efficient resource management in fluctuating workloads.
What is the cloud characteristic Resource Pooling?
The provider’s hardware is shared to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model.
This maximizes resource utilization and reduces costs.
Contrast Public Cloud vs. Private Cloud.
Public: Services made available to the general public over the internet.
Private: Virtualized resources intended for a single organization (increased security).
Public clouds are typically less expensive, while private clouds offer more control.
What is a Hybrid Cloud?
A combination of two or more clouds (e.g., Private and Public) that remain unique entities but are bound together for data portability.
This model allows organizations to leverage the benefits of both cloud types.
What is a Community Cloud?
A cloud infrastructure shared by several organizations with similar concerns (e.g., healthcare, government, or legal requirements).
This model promotes collaboration and resource sharing among organizations.
Symptom: A user tries to start a VM, but receives an error that “Virtualization is disabled.”
The technician must enter the BIOS/UEFI and enable Virtualization Technology (VT-x or AMD-V).
This step is crucial for running virtual machines.
Troubleshooting: Why might a host computer become extremely slow when running a VM?
The VM is likely overallocated, consuming too much of the host’s physical RAM or CPU cores.
Proper resource allocation is essential for optimal performance.
What is ITaaS (IT as a Service)?
An extension of IaaS where a cloud provider manages the entire IT infrastructure and delivers it as a service.
This model simplifies IT management for organizations.
