Virtualization

Due to the ever-increasing and rapid development of technology, we see the production and supply of hardware with very high power, but is the purchase and use of this hardware rational and affordable? With the emergence of this challenge, a topic called virtualization (Virtualization) and cloud computing (Cloud Computing) has been raised.

Virtualization takes place at several levels:

1- Server level virtualization

At this level of virtualization, multiple operating systems can be run simultaneously on a server with the help of an interface software. One of the advantages of this method is saving the cost of purchasing hardware in order to separate services and operating systems, as well as saving the cost of electricity. It should be noted that, in this method, the operating systems are no longer dependent on the hardware.

VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V can be mentioned among the software that provide this possibility.

2- Virtualization at the software level

At this level of virtualization, with the help of an interface software, software can be installed on the server and without the need to install them on the user's computer, it is possible to use them. Among the advantages of this method, we can mention the reduction of software maintenance cost, centralized management, organizational integration and information security.

The software that provide this possibility include Citrix XenApp, Microsoft Remote App and 2x.

3- User level virtualization

In this level of virtualization, instead of providing a local computer for each user, a virtual desktop is provided to the users. In this method, users connect to a virtual machine through an interface software and use it like a personal computer. One of the advantages of this method is that there is no need for an independent computer for each user and replacing Thin Client or Zero Client with it. Thin or zero clients have very low power consumption and usually consume less than 20 watts of power, which is very small compared to the consumption of more than 300 watts of conventional computers. Other advantages of this method include centralized management, integration, and information security.

VMware View, Microsoft Terminal Server, and Citrix XenDesktop are among the software that provide this possibility.