Virtualization
Virtualization
Technology that uses software to create virtual environments inside a physical computer
In Simple Terms
Virtualization is a system that creates multiple smaller computers inside one large computer. For example, you can run a completely different OS alongside Windows on the same PC, or split a single powerful server so multiple organizations can use it independently. It's also the technology behind cloud services — enabling one high-performance server to deliver exactly the right amount of computing power to whoever needs it.
Behind the Name
The name comes from the English word "Virtualization." Just as "virtual" means something that seems to exist without physically being there, this technology uses software to create environments that appear to exist — even though they have no physical form of their own.
Take a Closer Look!
Virtualization is technology that uses software to simulate computer hardware, making it behave just like the real thing.
A single physical machine can run multiple virtual computers inside it, each operating independently.
The reason for doing this comes down to efficiency.
In the past, each task required its own dedicated server, which often meant a lot of computing power sitting idle.
With virtualization, you can create multiple virtual servers inside one high-performance machine and assign each a different job — saving space and cutting electricity costs.
Cloud services are the most familiar example of virtualization in action.
Behind the scenes, massive data centers full of servers are virtualized, lending out just the right amount of computing power to whoever needs it.
The reason your smartphone apps and web services run smoothly and reliably, any time of day, is largely thanks to virtualization.