Linux Virtualization: A Concise Guide in 3 Points

Introduction

Virtualization is a comprehensive term in the world of emerging technologies. It has various benefits where you can run many virtual machines creating efficiency in delivering the services. It enhances security since if any of the virtual machines are hacked, the whole system will stay unaffected. It gets isolated without any further damage.

In this article let us look at:

1. What is Linux Virtualization in cloud computing or What is virtualization in Linux?
2. Top Linux Virtualization Software
3. Advantages of Linux Virtualization

1. What is Linux Virtualization in cloud computing or What is virtualization in Linux?

Linux virtualization refers to a process where more than one virtual machine can be installed in the Linux operating system.It helps in the collaboration of the hardware and software resources of the Linux operating Software. It provides the sharing of resources among the virtual machines installed on the operating system. Despite sharing its capabilities, hardware can still perform its operational functions independently.

Linux virtualization in cloud computing can assist in delivering the virtualized environment at economical cost with greater efficiency. The advantage of adopting it is that it allows Windows, Mac OS X, and other virtual machines to implement operating systems other than Linux.

2. Top Linux Virtualization Software

The availability of Linux virtualization software is bifurcated into two streams:

A. Open Source Linux Virtualization

• OpenVZ is an operating system whose functioning is based on the Linux kernel.

• Xen is a virtual monitor that incorporates 32/64 bit intel /AMD (IA 64) and PowerPC 970 architectures. It allows the execution of the various guest operating systems on the same hardware simultaneously. Xen is equipped with the most popular Linux products such as Debian, CentOS, Fedora, Ubuntu, and others. 

• Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM): It has a Linux kernel virtualization infrastructure that currently supports native virtualization. It uses Intel VT or AMD-V. KVM works with many guest operating systems including Linux, BSD, Windows, and Solaris.

Linux-VServer, VirtualBox, Bochs, User Mode Linux(UML) are the other open-source software.

B. Proprietary Linux Virtualization Software

• VMware ESX Server and VMWare Server: It is an entry-level Linux virtualization server software. It is beneficial for the enterprise as it provides data center virtualization. It enables the enterprise to run guest operating systems such as Solaris, Linux, FreeBSD, Windows, and various others.

• XEN also provides commercial applications with unique developments:

  a. Citric XenServer:  It utilizes an open-source Xen hypervisor that divides the server into logical parts. It is a technology that provides low overhead along with primary performance.

  b. Oracle VM:  It also employs open-source Xen hypervisor technology, that carries both Windows and Linux guests. It includes an integrated Web browser-based on Management console.

  c. Sun xVM:  It works with the bare-metal hypervisor following the Solaris environment on x86-64 systems. xVM is formed on basis of the Sun’s Logical Domains and Solaris.

• Parallel Virtuozzo Containers: It provides virtualization on the operating system designed for large-scale servers that work in a homogenous environment and data centers. It is easily compatible with IA-64, x86, and x86-64 platforms.

Linux virtualization has its usage based on its applications and configurations. 

3. Advantages of Linux Virtualization

1) Cost-Effectiveness

The enterprises are often worried about minimizing the cost and maximizing the profits while providing customer satisfaction. Linux virtualization is a cost-effective remedy to target higher earnings coupled with customer satisfaction. The cost of licensing gets reduced in Linux virtualization since the number of hardware installations is brought down.

2) Increase in availability

Linux virtualization offers maximum uptime and availability. It provides easy migration, storage, and backup. It has a significant advantage where one virtual server fails to serve then there will be another server to serve the purpose.

3) Optimal utilization of resources

It takes less time for the setup and maintenance of servers in virtualization. Setting up and maintenance of physical servers require technical personnel along with infrastructure investment. Virtual servers can accommodate themselves in less space.

Physical servers require the continuous and extensive volume of electric supply together with the cooling device which is dangerous to the environment due to its harmful emissions. These all costs are avoided in the virtual machines.

4) Easy Migration

Linux virtualization needs a virtualized infrastructure that is easily transferable from one place to another. Therefore, relocating is effortless in the virtualized environment.

Conclusion

Enterprise following Linux virtualization take less time and effort to impart customers with quality service. It also reduces the time taken to set up and maintain the servers by personnel. Before the emerging of virtualization, it was impossible to dream about digital business. But now it has become convenient for the new entrepreneurs to begin with their digital startups with less administrative burden.

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