Virtualization
Virtualization is a software-based version of technology that’s typically tied to hardware. Operating systems, storage devices, network components and entire computers can be virtualized.
This virtual version is often hosted on a data center server or provided through a computer. The host devices can then fulfill multiple duties or grant access to multiple users. An individual computer can partition its storage drive to support multiple virtualized machines that may be based on different operating systems or computer hardware platforms.
Virtualization has its roots in early computers when mainframes provided users access to IT resources through terminals. Today, virtualization is used to administer multiple applications and operating systems through a single server or support end users through Desktop as a Service (DaaS).
Benefits of virtualization include:
- Fast, simplified scale
- Enhanced endpoint security
- Lower total cost of ownership
