Virtualization and How it Can Help Your Business

Virtualization is a process that allows server hardware and software to be separated by a layer of abstraction. One server, for example, can run several virtual computers or virtual private servers simultaneously. The instances of the virtual machines behave just like real machines, but the process of virtualization offers several advantages.

A business can allocate and reallocate a server or a data center's resources based on its needs at any given time. One server can be split into multiple machines, each running different operating systems, or multiple servers can be devoted to consolidated virtual infrastructures, and so forth.

Virtualization also allows servers to operate redundantly, which means that they can backup data in two or more places at the same time. This is an extremely useful layer of protection in the case of disaster recovery. Other capabilities, such as taking snapshots -- or frozen images -- of virtualized machines, are useful backup tools.

The scalability and flexibility of virtualization allow businesses to spend only what they need on resources. Companies almost always save money with virtualized systems. Virtual servers are less expensive than dedicated servers, but they still offer the ability to upgrade and downgrade the resources, or change and reload operating systems and software with little downtime.