There is no doubt that technology has improved since the days of gigantic mainframe computers that could only be afforded by universities and major corporations. Then came the age of personal computers, which were affordable to nearly any average customer. Yet now that we have multi-core processors, enormous quantities of computer memory, and current operating systems capable of scheduling several processes to run at the same time, we can have (what appears to be) computers within computers, or multiple operating systems nested into one operating system.The concept of having operating systems within operating systems is known as virtualization. Cloud computing, on the other hand, is basically when you are accessing an application or operating system that isn't stored on your local computer but is stored on a server or computer that is connected to the internet. The application or operating system that you are accessing may even be using some type of virtualization technology as well.
Purpose of Study
The purpose of my research paper is to discuss all the ways that virtualization and cloud computing is transforming the information technology industry. I will explain the difference between virtualization and cloud computing and also the different types of virtualization and cloud computing applications. Also, I will discuss the benefits and trade-offs of virtualization and cloud computing.
Ever since I first started learning about system administration and computers, in general, I have developed a keen interest in virtualization. On one of my earlier desktop computers, I installed VMWare virtualization software and set up my first virtual machine using Windows XP. At the time, my computer only had a single-core processor, and the performance was terrible. When I got my first dual-core processor laptop, I found a marked improvement in running virtual machines using VMWare. Now I have a desktop computer with a quad-core processor that can run multiple virtual machines at the same time. In this paper, I won't focus on any specific brand of virtualization technology, but I will give an overview of different types of virtualization technologies and cloud computing methods.
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is among the primary changes occurring in the Information Technology field. It is a portrayal of a development centered on intensive, large-scale specialization. Virtualization is important in cloud computing; it serves as software which isolates physical frameworks to make different resources that are dedicated, henceforth making it a fundamental innovation which powers cloud computing. With the utilization of virtualization, the outcomes of cloud computing include convenience, the benefit of effectiveness, as well as incredible difficulties in the field of information security and protection of privacy (Griffith, 2016).
In an article titled "Challenges in real-time virtualization and predictable cloud computing" from the Journal of Systems Architecture (García-Valls, Cucinotta, & Lu, 2014), it gives an overview of cloud computing and virtualization, it talks about the challenges in cloud computing, and it also mentions the problems in network virtualization. I found this resource to be my favorite as it goes into great details on virtualization and cloud computing.
Another article I found to be resourceful is titled "Why Virtualization is the foundation of cloud computing" from Computerworld.com. (Poelker, 2009) This article discusses how virtualization is sort of like the driving force behind cloud computing and it does a great job summarizing what cloud computing is and how it uses virtualization to create an abstraction layer that has the ability to conceal the complexity of either hardware or software that is underlying (Poelker, 2009)
In the article "High-Performance Computing and Virtualization" by Desai, it explains how virtualization is used in HPC (High-Performance Computing), and it weighs the pros and cons of virtualization in HPC. Virtualization is being widely used in several companies, however, still, it does not have any significant contribution in High-Performance Computing. Not just limiting to Cloud Computing, virtualization has some other greater benefits in the High-Performance Computing like Fault Tolerance, Job Migration, Scalable Hypervisors and much more (Desai, 2012).
Farber's article "Keeping Performance in HPC," primarily focuses on HPC though it also talks about how virtualization is used in HPC. There are performance issues in virtualization today despite the improvements in hardware. HPC implies that the act of accumulating computing power in a manner which conveys significantly higher performance compared to the one got when using an ordinary desktop PC or workstation with the objective of solving challenging issues in various fields and this can be achieved through virtualization and cloud computing (Farber, 2007).
Cloud Computing Virtualization
In computing, virtualization is making something virtual; that is not real, for example, computer software and hardware, operating system, storage medias or network gadget. In an environment that is virtualized, IT companies have the role of overseeing various changes that happen more rapidly in virtual condition than in a physical domain. Due to virtualization, distribution has become adaptable and agile. Despite the fact that cloud computing can exist on its own, it might not work well and will be troublesome.
With the virtualization technology, the environment for cloud computing can easily handle intended assets. Can be abstracted and confines necessary requirements for networking within a particular environment for hosting. It enhances cloud computing's security by ensuring that there is integrity in both the virtual and cloud segments. It is possible to scale a virtualized machine on request. It gives sharing of assets, high usage of resources that get pooled, fast provisioning, workload detachment. The current advances in virtualization are bringing together the centers of data in this way lessening the cost for managing. Despite having such advantages, it has a few downsides, for example, overseeing resources that are virtual is fundamental and relocating tasks of the assets are hard to attaining high accessibility ("Virtualization Technology and Virtual Machine Software," 2017).
In the event that one server does not work, VM needs to be restarted with the virtualized server within the resource pool reestablishing the necessary administrations having minimal intrusion of service. The virtual resources turn out to be essential for either overseeing or information checking. To run an application that has high usage and accessibility is challenging. With the hypervisor programming, equipment, it is conceivable to give virtual partitioning capacities that run straightforwardly to the hardware. It's characterized to be manager for the VM that permits numerous operating systems to keep running on a framework at any given time giving assets to every OS with no interaction. The hypervisor has the role of controlling guest systems. An increase in the number of OS makes managing difficult, as a result, security problems are likely to occur. In the event that hackers manage to manipulate hypervisors, they are able to control the systems that are guest by being aware of the operation of the framework that results in information handling loss. A system for protection that is advanced is yet to be developed; it is to be put in place so as to monitor what the guest virtual machine does (Walters and Chaudhary, 2008).
Effects of Virtualization and Cloud Computing on Computer and Operating System Usage
Virtualization and distributed computing can affect the speed, dependability, information access and time limitation. The magnificence of virtualization and distributed computing is that it is possible for businesses of all size to gain from the good performance and accessibility of the system without the cost of running their own equipment. Virtual machines are perfect for small sized to medium companies which need reliable services cheaply, and Data-pipe outperforms other virtual private server suppliers by giving ensured levels of administration and support. Be that as it may, much the same as running dedicated OS, there are various advantages and drawbacks to cloud hosting of the Operating system.
Benefits of Virtualization
Virtual environments get established to emulate physical or real ones, so you ought to never have any thought that you are working with a VM. Virtual systems are made up of virtual NICs, switches that are virtual et cetera. Instead of moving a server physically, one gets an execution and experience that is comparable to a physical server. By distributing load over the virtualized machines, then the virtualized hosts can ensure high accessibility of information. Despite the likelihood that one of them may comes up short, another virtual machine comes into use with negligible downtime or data loss. Virtualized machines permit versatility on request without including physical resources, and they can be extended significantly easy compared to the case of a physical device. Adding extra RAM to a virtual machine is achievable quickly, while it can take close to a day in a physical machine. Virtualization and distributed computing offer lasting solutions for information reinforcement and recuperation. Regardless of the possibility that equipment ought to fail, virtual machines can immediately and precisely relocate information to working equipment with practically no downtime. Cloning in a virtual machine takes only a couple clicks and is fast while cloning a physical machine can be tedious.
Challenges of Hosting Machines Virtually
Obviously, no innovation is without its difficulties. Virtualization has various benefits over hosting machines physically; however, there are a few problems you ought to know about while searching a hosting company. In case you're moving applications from physical servers to a public cloud, there are various security threats given that the cloud servers will be hosted on machines that are virtual in an infrastructure that is shared. Virtual Hypervisors are simpler to prevent against assault compared to OS; however, they are as yet complex systems which offer another attacking target, particularly in public clouds. Information pipe provides an ultra-secure cloud condition which is closely checked to guarantee security.
While it's improbable that the resources that are virtual will at some time fail, it can be harder to reboot virtual machines in case of a cataclysmic failure of hardware. Virtual machines are able to switch on and off simply as a physical device, on the other hand, a cloud VM crash should have to wait for the machine to physically boot, plus the time it takes for the virtual machines to start.
The majority of the cloud environments used today are established on models of over-subscription, so it is conceivable to oversubscribe the virtual machines on physical equipment. Fortunately, oversubscription doesn't imply over-limit. Staying away from oversubscription on your virtual machines obliges regard for assignment of resources to guarantee proper usage of virtual assets whenever they're required.
Comparison of Cloud Computing and Virtualization
There are many distinct types of virtualization; however, every one of them shares a common goal: the outcome is a virtualized recreation of a hardware of software. As a rule, virtualization is achieved by separating one piece of equipment or resource into at least two "portions." Each piece works as its own autonomous condition. For instance, a virtualized OS is made up of Virtual operating systems, on the other hand, virtualization of storage amalgamates various storage equipment into one, cohesive unit. Virtualization aims at making the environment for computing autonomous of the given physical framework. It is not incident to say this is more like the cloud computing, given that the cloud is as a result of virtualization ("Virtualization vs. Cloud Computing: What's the Difference?", 2014).
A perfect way to deal with elucidating the difference between virtualization and cloud computing is to express that the previous is a technology, while the other is a service whose foundation depends on the said advancement. It is workable for Virtualization without the cloud, yet cloud computing can't exist if virtualization is missing, in any environment. The term cloud computing, in this way, is best used to suggest an event in which processing resources that are shared, software, or data are passed on as a service and on demand by means of the Internet. Different factors separate distributed computing from virtualization, among them self-service for customers, broad access to the system, the ability to adaptably scale assets, and accessibility of measured services.
Essentially, virtualization contrasts from cloud computing given that virtualization is a software with the responsibility of controlling equipment, while cloud computing insinuates services which are a result of the controls. Virtualization is an essential segment of appropriated processing and passes on the deserving of cloud computing which is the conveyance of shared processing resources, programming or data as a service and on demand through the Internet. Most of the perplexity occurs in light of the way that virtualization and cloud computing collaborate to give unmistakable sorts of services, like the case with private clouds. The cloud can, and frequently incorporates virtualization things to pass on the service. The difference is that real clouds give self-service capacity, flexibility, programmed administration, versatility, and pay-as-you-go advantage that is not available in virtualization ("Virtualization versus Cloud Computing: What's the Difference?", 2014).
Impacts of Cloud Computing and Virtual Reality the Design of OS
With the cloud computing technology in place, organizations will better utilize IT assets to enhance adaptability and performance. The basic automation of cloud-based innovation makes it possible for companies to receive the right asset for computing at the ideal time at cheaper cost. Likewise, services that are based on the cloud are to be put together to make some workloads more efficiently performed using refined software for automation. Users of the cloud services experience incredible increase in the efficiency given that they have predictable contact with the required technological combination to solve business problems. As the profitability changes cloud computing's outcome capacity of lifting complexity away from the user, the cost and efficiency benefits depend on an exceptionally complex basic system. The best of the imperative strategies with the aim of supporting the essential multifaceted nature of properly managed cloud computing assets is through the OS ("What is Cloud Computing? - Amazon Web Services," 2017).
Operating systems, for example, Linux are intended to support the given prerequisites with the objective that cloud and application service should not rebuild necessary technology custom fitted for each plan. User are entitled to control, consistency, and safety through possessing basic features that are shared within the OS level. What's more, ab OS, for example, Linux supports imperative standards which uphold convenience and interoperability within the cloud. Platforms for the OS are expected to shroud an essential role of the multifaceted nature necessary to supporting running applications in unpredictable and unified environments.
Besides, the OS executes the level of security and nature of service to ensure that applications can get to the assets anticipated that would pass on the required level of execution. In a time when the attention is on cloud computing the OS has turned out to be more vital than any time in history, this is all together for end clients to gain from the cloud platform which supports adjusted workloads that can scale in a safe way, the OS must be intended to improve the cloud platform.
A standout amongst the primary necessities for organizations embracing cloud computing is the requirement to embrace a hybrid methodology to computing. To do as such, most associations will keep on maintaining their first server to support the sophisticated workloads. For example, an organization may pick an environment that is public cloud for the development and testing of workloads, a private cloud for customer standing up to web circumstances that course of action with individual information, and beginning information server for legacy charging and "cash related workloads. It is nothing unforeseen that with time half and half registering will be the standard. Consequently, it is more basic than some other time in the historical backdrop of OS to bolster and bring together the different models deployed for computing, so they look like a single system from a client encounter and a system and administration point of view.
Conclusion
Virtualization and cloud computing have impacted the manner in which computers and operating systems get used in today's society that has advanced technology. It has been used in various ways with an objective of enhancing the productivity and execution of OS. Despite the fact that it has actually been employed in a few situations, challenges likewise emerge with the use of virtualization and distributed computing techniques. To get the physical and virtual controls in the cloud needs to protect information by actualizing enhanced encryption strategies utilizing secure links and making use of data loss counteractive action approaches. Control for access are to be built up, and customer personalities are to be checked. Platforms for data center, resources, and customer devices are to be secured by computer policies that are trusted and secure relocation from private cloud servers to public cloud servers should be ensured.
References
Desai, M. (2012). High Performance Computing and Virtualization. Research Paper, University of Southern California, Department of Computer Science, Los Angeles.
Farber, R. (2007, July 6). Keeping "Performance" in HPC. Retrieved from Scientific Computing: http://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/910251-keeping-performance-hpc
García-Valls, M., Cucinotta, T., & Lu, C. (2014). Challenges in real-time virtualization and predictable cloud computing. Journal of Systems Architecture, 726-740.
Griffith, E. (2016, May 3). What Is Cloud Computing? Retrieved from PCMAG: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372163,00.asp
Poelker, C. (2009, December 4). Why virtualization is the foundation of cloud computing. Retrieved from Computerworld: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2468246/cloud-computing/why-virtualization-is-the-foundation-of-cloud-computing.html
Virtualization Technology & Virtual Machine Software. (2017, March 24). Retrieved from VMWare: http://www.vmware.com/solutions/virtualization.html
Virtualization vs. Cloud Computing: What's the Difference? (2014, January 20). Retrieved from Business News Daily: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5791-virtualization-vs-cloud-computing.html
Walters, J. P., & Chaudhary, V. (2008). A fault-tolerant strategy for virtualized HPC clusters. The Journal of Supercomputing, 209-239.
What is Cloud Computing? - Amazon Web Services. (2017, April 1). Retrieved from Amazon Web Services, Inc.: https://aws.amazon.com/what-is-cloud-computing/
What is Virtualization? - Definition from Techopedia. (2017, April 1). Retrieved from Techopedia.com: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/719/virtualization
