Virtualisation

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

process of creating a virtual version of something, such as a server or computer system, using software instead of hardware.

Question 2

Why are virtual environments easier to maintain?

Answer 2

don’t require software installation and updates on individual computers, saving both time and money

Question 3

What do all virtualization types share in common?

Answer 3

the end result - virtualized stimulation of a device or resource

Question 4

How is virtualization accomplished?

Answer 4

• by dividing a single piece of hardware into two or more ‘segments’
• each segment operates as its own independent environment

Question 5

What’s server virtualization?

Answer 5

• involves hiding the server resources (including number + identity of individual physical servers, processors + OS) from server users.
• intention is to increase resource sharing

Question 6

server virtualization - why is the OS and hardware closely linked?

Answer 6

so that only some applications can run simultaneously to prevent problems

Question 7

server virtualization - what’s needed to operate?

Answer 7

additional applications and additional physical servers need to be installed

Question 8

what does server virtualization enable?

Answer 8

a single physical server to run several applications, each appearing to have its own server

Question 9

server virtualization - what does the layer of the software enable?

Answer 9

this abstraction is often referred to as the hypervisor.

Question 10

what is a hypervisor?

Answer 10

• a hardware virtualisation technique that allows multiple guest operating systems (OS) to run on a single system at the same time.
• aka a Virtual Machine Manager (WMM)

Question 11

what is client/desktop?

Answer 11

• a virtualization technology used to separate a computer desktop environment from the physical computer

Question 12

what is the ‘virtualized’ desktop stored on?

Answer 12

a centralized or remote server and not the physical machine being virtualized

Question 13

what does desktop virtualization do?

Answer 13

• ‘virtualizes desktop computer’

- you interact with a virtual desktop in the same way you would use a physical desktop

Question 14

benefit of desktop virtualization

Answer 14

it lets you remotely log in to access your desktop from any location

Question 15

what is storage virtualization?

Answer 15

• pulling together physical storage from multiple network storage devices into what appears to be a single storage device that’s managed from a central console
• commonly used in Storage Area Networks (SAN)

Question 16

what 2 forms can storage virtualization come in?

Answer 16

• block-level - allows a SAN to use numerous storage arrays across the network as if they were a single array
• file-level - allows Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Question 17

What is cloud computing used to refer?

Answer 17

a situation in which ‘shared computing resources, software, or data are delivered as a service and on-demand through the internet’

Question 18

How does virtualization differ from cloud computing?

Answer 18

• virtualization is software that manipulates hardware, while cloud computing refers to a service that results from that manipulation.
• based on virtualization, but actually isn’t virtualization

Question 19

what is a hybrid cloud?

Answer 19

• a cloud computing environment which uses a mix of locally owned services, private cloud + public cloud services
• by allowing workload to move between private and public clouds as computing needs and costs change, hybrid cloud gives businesses greater flexibility and more data deployment options

Question 20

evaluate the use of virtualization technology

Answer 20

\+ reduced long-term costs
\+ increased use of devices 
\+ simplified disaster recovery
- adds complexity
- increased impact if system fails
- significant up front/placement cost
- end users unaware of technology
- extra IT skills needed