Microsoft Virtualization Packages

Last year I wrote about virtualization technology covering a broad range of types of virtualization.  This month, I will discuss server virtualization and give you a better understanding of how it works.  Let’s start by defining the term.

Server virtualization is a technology that involves partitioning a physical server into a number of small virtual servers with the help of virtualization software.  Each virtual server runs multiple operating systems at the same time. This newsletter will focus on the virtualization software and the vendors who develop the software.  We will start with Microsoft software products.

A key component of virtualization software needs to be defined before we begin, so start with a Hypervisor.  A Hypervisor is a virtualization technique that allows multiple guest operating systems to run on a single host system simultaneously.  The term was first coined in 1956 by IBM.  The hypervisor program is installed on the server hardware that controls the guest operating systems running on the host machine.  It’s main job is to cater to the needs of the guest operating system and effectively manage it so that the instances of multiple operating systems do not interrupt one another.

Hypervisors are divided into two types:

Type 1 – Type 1 is known as native or bare-metal hypervisors.  These run directly on the host computer’s hardware to control the hardware resources and manage the guest operating systems.

Type 2– Type 2 is called a hosted hypervisor. It is a virtual machine manager that is installed as a software application on an existing Type 2 hypervisor operating system.

Types of Microsoft Virtualization Technology:

Hyper-V – Hyper-V was introduced by Microsoft in Windows Server 2008.  It enables multiple instances of Windows, Linux, and other operating systems to run simultaneously.  It uses a method called paravirtualization which requires the operating system to be modified to run as a virtual machine.

APP-V (Application Virtualization) – App-V refers to running an application on a network workstation running applications residing on the network server.  The application fools the computer as if the application is running on the local machine but it is really located on the server.

MED-V (Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization) MED-V allows you to deploy virtual PC images onto Windows desktops and manage them while maintaining a seamless end-user experience.  The key benefit in deploying MED-V is being able to maintain support for running legacy applications when upgrading desktop operating systems.  MED-V also lets you test your migration plans using virtual machines instead of physical computers, and reduces user training costs.

VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) – VDI is a shadow copy of a desktop computer that has installed applications and documents, which are stored and executed from a host server.  VDI provides users the ability to access their desktop remotely, often even from handheld devices.  VDI acts like a cloud based system.

I hope that you found this information helpful.  Please feel free to forward it to others.  If you would like to learn more about this topic or would like to request a topic, please contact me. If you missed any past newsletters or would like a printed copy, please visit my website at.  www.mdsystemsolutions.com.

Until next time…Happy Computing!!!