CLOUD COMPUTING UNIT-3

Virtualization in Cloud Computing

Question 1: What is virtualization? Explain virtualization in detail.

Answer:
Virtualization is the "creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as a server, a desktop,
a storage device, an operating system or network resources".

In other words, Virtualization is a technique which allows sharing a single physical instance of a resource or an
application among multiple customers and organizations. It works by assigning a logical name to a physical
storage and providing access to that resource when required.

Creation of a virtual machine over existing operating system and hardware is known as Hardware
Virtualization. A Virtual machine (VM) provides an environment that is logically separated from the underlying
hardware. The system where VM runs is called the Host Machine, and the VM is called the Guest Machine.

Virtualization is a broad technology that creates the illusion of hardware, software, storage, or network using
abstraction or emulation. It allows multiple systems to share resources efficiently while maintaining isolation.

Virtualization emulates an execution environment separate from the host. It started in the 1960s with IBM
mainframes and is now a key part of cloud computing, especially in Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) for
providing on-demand resources.

[DIAGRAM PLACEHOLDER: Virtualized Cloud Model - showing multiple VMs with Applications and OS
on Virtual Infrastructure]

Evolution:
• Early use: Time-sharing on mainframes.
• 1990s: Use of Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for portability.
• 2000s: Technologies like Intel VT and AMD-V improved performance and adoption.
• Drivers for growth: High computing capacity, Underutilized resources, Space issues, Green computing, High
admin cost

Components in a Virtualized System:

• Guest: The emulated system (OS or application).
• Host: The physical hardware or system.
• Virtualization Layer: The Hypervisor that manages virtual machines.
Question 2: Explain characteristics of virtualization environment.

Answer:
Virtualization is a software-based technology that creates an abstract execution environment independent of
physical hardware. It provides many important characteristics such as security, managed execution, sharing,
aggregation, emulation, isolation, performance control, and portability.

Increased Security:
Virtualization improves security by adding a layer between guest and host. All operations are controlled by the
virtualization layer, which can monitor and restrict harmful activities. This helps in protecting host resources and
running untrusted software safely.

Managed Execution:
Managed execution means the virtualization layer controls and supervises how guest systems use resources.
This allows better management and advanced features that are not possible in normal systems.

Sharing:
Sharing allows multiple virtual machines to run on the same physical host. Resources are divided and given to
each guest, and each guest feels it has its own dedicated system. This improves resource utilization.

Aggregation:
Aggregation combines multiple physical systems into one logical system. The virtualization layer presents all
resources as a single unit, which helps in scalability and easy management.

Emulation:
Emulation allows the system to simulate different hardware or environments. This helps in running different or
old (legacy) applications even if the actual hardware is not available.

Isolation:
Isolation ensures that each virtual machine works independently. One VM cannot affect another. This improves
security, stability, and reliability.

Performance Control and Quality of Service:

Virtualization allows control over how much CPU, memory, and other resources each guest gets. This helps in
maintaining performance and Quality of Service (QoS).

Portability:
Portability means virtual machines can be moved easily from one system to another. Since they are not
dependent on hardware, they can run on different platforms without changes.
Question 3: Explain taxonomy of virtualization technique?

Answer:
Virtualization is a broad technological concept that includes different techniques used to create abstract
representations of computing resources. The taxonomy of virtualization techniques is mainly based on what is
virtualized and at which level of abstraction virtualization is applied.

Virtualization is mainly used to emulate execution environments, storage and networks. Execution virtualization
is the oldest and most popular with two major categories: Process level and System level.

1) Execution Virtualization:
Execution virtualization includes techniques that emulate an execution environment different from the physical
system. It allows programs, operating systems, or applications to run in a controlled environment. It can be
implemented at different levels depending on where abstraction is introduced.

2) Process-Level and System-Level Virtualization:

• Process-level virtualization: Works on top of an existing operating system. It focuses on individual
applications or processes and the OS controls the hardware.
• System-level virtualization: Works directly on hardware with minimal OS support. It creates a complete
virtual machine that can run its own operating system.

3) Layer-Based Virtualization Model:

• ISA level virtualization → Hardware-level virtualization
• ABI level virtualization → OS-level or process-level virtualization
• API level virtualization → Programming language-level virtualization

4) Other types of virtualizations:

• Hardware Virtualization: Creates a virtual hardware environment where a guest OS runs on virtual machine
using a hypervisor (VMM).
- Type I: Runs directly on hardware (native)
- Type II: Runs on operating system (hosted)

• Software Virtualization: Creates multiple virtual environments on a host machine.

• Memory Virtualization: Combines physical memory from different systems into a single virtual memory pool.

• Storage Virtualization: Combines multiple storage devices into one logical storage system.

• Data Virtualization: Provides an abstract view of data independent of database structure.

• Network Virtualization: Creates multiple virtual networks on a single physical network.

• Desktop Virtualization: Stores user desktop on a server, accessible from anywhere.

• Application server virtualization: Combines application services to improve availability and scalability.

[DIAGRAM PLACEHOLDER: Hardware Virtualization Reference Model - showing VMM, Guest, Host
layers and components]
Question 4: Explain virtualization and cloud computing.

Answer:
Virtualization is a foundational technology in cloud computing because it allows abstraction, control, and flexible
management of computing resources. By separating software from physical hardware, it provides
customization, security, isolation, and manageability, which are important for cloud systems.

In cloud computing, virtualization is mainly used for computing environments and storage resources, while
network virtualization supports connectivity. The main focus is on execution virtualization, which allows
providers to manage resources for multiple users.

1. Role of Execution Virtualization in Cloud Computing:

Execution virtualization creates isolated and configurable execution environments.
• Hardware virtualization divides physical hardware into multiple virtual machines, forming the base of
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).
• Programming language–level virtualization allows applications to run independently of hardware, supporting
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).
Virtualization provides sandboxed environments, ensuring security, reliability, and multi-tenancy.

2. Virtualization as an Enabler of Resource Consolidation:

Virtualization allows multiple virtual machines to share the same physical resources without interference. This
leads to resource consolidation, where fewer physical servers are used, improving hardware utilization and
reducing costs.

3. Virtual Machine Migration:

Virtual machine migration is the process of moving a virtual machine from one host to another. It can be done
with minimal interruption, and even while running. Migration helps in load balancing, fault tolerance, and
efficient resource management.

4. Storage and Desktop Virtualization in Cloud Computing:

• Storage virtualization combines physical storage into logical storage resources, which can be used on
demand.
• Desktop virtualization allows users to access their desktop from any device, as it is stored on a remote
server.

Virtualization is a key technology in cloud computing that provides abstraction, isolation, and scalability. It
enables efficient resource usage, migration, and on-demand services, forming the base of modern cloud
systems.
Question 5: Write pros and cons of virtualization, advantage and disadvantage.

Answer:
Virtualization enables efficient, secure, and flexible use of computing resources by allowing multiple virtual
machines to run on fewer physical systems.

PROS CONS

Sandbox Less Efficient

Hardware independent Unstable Performance

OS independent Tools lack ability

Fast Recovery Rapid Deployment

Live Backup Latency of Virtual Disk

Migrate data Backup and Data Sets

Reduced Hardware Security Issues

Run Multiple OS Simultaneously Hardware compatibility issues

Cost savings Managing and Securing is difficult

Use of Multicore processors

System Security

Test and Development

Advantages:
• Improved security through isolation and monitoring
• Better resource utilization and server consolidation
• Reduced energy consumption and operational costs
• Support for green computing
• Easy management and maintenance
• Hardware and OS independence
• Ability to run multiple OS simultaneously
• Fast recovery and live backup capabilities
• Supports testing and development environments

Disadvantages:
• Performance overhead from abstraction layer
• Virtual CPU management and instruction emulation latency
• Memory and I/O overhead
• Potential inefficiency in hardware feature utilization
• Limited system access for some applications
• Security risks and vulnerabilities in virtualization layer
• Malware may exploit virtual environments
• Requires proper management and hardware support
Question 6: Explain following technology with examples: VMware full
virtualization, virtualization solutions, end user virtualization.

Answer: Technology Examples

1. VMware: Full Virtualization

In full virtualization, the primary hardware is replicated and provided to the guest operating system. The guest
OS runs unaware of virtualization and does not require any modification.

VMware technology is based on the concept of Full Virtualization. It works in:

• Desktop environment using Type-II hypervisor
• Server environment using Type-I hypervisor

VMware uses:
• Direct execution for non-sensitive instructions
• Binary translation for sensitive instructions

This allows virtualization of systems like x86 architecture.

Example: Running Windows OS on VMware Workstation inside a Linux system.

2. Virtualization Solution
Virtualization solutions are not only for large companies but also useful for small businesses. They help in
simplifying IT operations and provide anytime, anywhere, any-device access to resources.

These solutions include:

• Desktop virtualization
• Workspace virtualization
• Network virtualization
• IT automation services

They reduce cost, time, and management effort, and improve flexibility.

Example: A small company using cloud-based virtual desktops for employees working remotely.

3. End-user (Desktop) Virtualization

End-user computing (EUC) refers to systems that help users access and manage applications easily. A key
technology is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), where desktops are hosted on a central server.

It is a form of desktop virtualization where users can access their desktop from any device.

Important features:
• Centralized management
• Scalability and flexibility
• Easy to use without technical expertise

This helps organizations introduce new technologies easily and manage users efficiently.

Example: Employees accessing their office desktop from home using remote login.