Definition: Virtualization enables the creation of virtual instances of operating systems, applications, or hardware on a single physical machine using a hypervisor.

How Virtualization Technology Works:

1. Hypervisor: Also known as a Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), the hypervisor is a software layer that manages and allocates physical resources to virtual machines (VMs). It abstracts physical hardware resources (like CPU, memory, storage, and network) and presents them to VMs as virtual resources.
2. Virtual Machines (VMs): These are complete emulations of physical computers that run on top of the hypervisor. Each VM operates independently with its own virtualized hardware, operating system, and applications.
3. Resource Allocation: The hypervisor dynamically allocates physical resources among VMs based on demand. It ensures efficient utilization of resources by allowing multiple VMs to share physical hardware without interference.
4. Isolation: VMs are isolated from each other, which enhances security. Failures or crashes in one VM do not affect others, providing a robust environment for testing, development, and production.

   Benefits:

   1. Cost Efficiency: Reduces hardware costs by consolidating multiple servers into VMs on fewer physical machines.
   2. Resource Optimization: Enhances resource utilization by dynamically allocating and sharing physical resources among VMs based on demand.
   3. Flexibility and Scalability: Allows easy provisioning, migration, and scaling of VMs to meet changing workload demands.
   4. Security and Isolation: Improves security by isolating VMs, preventing breaches from spreading across systems.
      • Applications: Used in server virtualization, desktop virtualization (VDI), application virtualization, and network virtualization to meet various IT infrastructure needs.