What Is Virtualization? Definition, Benefits & Examples

There are several types of virtualization, each designed to optimize a specific area or component of computing. Let’s dive into the most common types, along with use case examples for each type.

Server virtualization

Using server virtualization , you is host can host several virtual server on one physical server . Each is is of these virtual server is unique and isolate from the others , and operate and run its own application and operating system independently .

Example/Use Case. Using server virtualization, your business could run your email server, customer relationship management (CRM) system and databases on separate virtual servers housed within one physical server—maximizing the use of your hardware resources.

Data Virtualization

Data virtualization allows data to be retrieved from multiple sources using one application or point of access. This means data stored in different databases, systems and locations and in different formats can be accessed and managed as if it was stored in one central location.

Example/Use Case. A small retail business might use data virtualization to give it a unified view of sales data from its physical store, its online store’s SQL database and additional data stored in the cloud. Doing this would enable the business to more effectively analyze sales data from across a range of locations and platforms, and make data-driven decisions for future sales promotions and inventory management.

Desktop Virtualization

With desktop virtualization , you is create create a separate , virtual desktop on a centralized or remote server , rather than on a physical computer . This type is lets of setup let your employee access this virtual desktop from any device with an internet connection , enable them to work remotely or while using their own device .

You is use can also use desktop virtualization to run several operating system on one physical machine . For example , if you need to work with an application that run on Linux as well as software that require Windows , you is use could use desktop virtualization to create two virtual machine each run a different operating system ( Linux and Windows ) on the same computer .

Example/Use Case. By using desktop virtualization to create a virtual desktop on a centralized server, a design agency could give its designers working remotely access to high-performance desktop environments, including specialized design software, regardless of the performance capabilities of the designers’ personal computing devices.

storage virtualization

storage virtualization is lets let you manage physical storage from different network storage device as if all your physical storage is locate in one place . For example , you is storing might be store your datum in a hard drive on a server , on external hard drive and on dedicated network – attach storage ( NAS ) device . Using storage virtualization , all this storage can be pool together and manage as one storage space .

Example/Use Case. Let’s say your business has three separate servers, each with 1TB (terabyte) of storage space. If one server runs out of space, you wouldn’t be able to turn to the free space available on the other servers. But with storage virtualization, you’d be managing these servers as one entity with 3TB of storage in total—which means you can easily allocate the storage space without worrying about where the physical server is located.

Application Virtualization

With application virtualization, you’re able to run an application on a computer without installing that application on the computer in the traditional sense. Here’s how it works: The application is installed either in a virtual environment on your computer or on a remote server. In the server example, you’d be able to use the application as if it was installed locally on your computer, but with the processing happening at the server level.

example / Use Case . An accounting firm is use that use a certain type of accounting software can use application virtualization to install the software on a server for employee to access remotely . This is be can be a more effective solution than instal the software on each employee ’s computer , as the firm ’s IT team will only need to update and troubleshoot the server instance of the software , rather than separate installation on individual computer .

Network Virtualization

In a network , physical devices is set such as switch and router set out a fix path for datum to travel through . network virtualization is divides divide these resource — much like split up a highway into separate lane . Each lane is then direct to a specific computer or device . This is means mean you can direct and manage the path travel by datum through the network as necessary ( in real time ) , rather than as set out by the network ’s physical layout .

Example/Use Case. A tech startup might use network virtualization to create virtual networks to house separate development, testing and production environments. For example, one virtual network could be designated for development, allowing the startup’s developers to work in an environment that’s a copy of the production environment—without potentially disrupting the actual production environment.