VIRTUALIZATION – CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT.

VIRTUALIZATION
ENVIRONMENT AND TOOLS

Borislav Stoyanov

Trakia University – Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Abstract. In this paper I review virtualization and provide a comprehensive overview of it, as it’s key technology
that enhances resource utilization, isolation, flexibility, and scalability in modern IT infrastructures. We explore the
concept and development of virtualization, highlighting its evolution from mainframe environments to contemporary
cloud-based solutions and it’s progress over the years. The discussion includes various types of virtualization, such as
hardware, operating system, storage, and network virtualization, emphasizing their significance in optimizing resource
usage and improving system performance. Additionally, we examine a range of popular virtualization platforms and tools,
including Docker, Kubernetes, VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, Xen, Amazon EC2, Google Compute Engine, OpenStack,
QEMU, VirtualBox, Parallels Desktop, Hyper-V Manager, VMRC, vSphere, vCenter Server, NSX, Azure Stack, Azure
Government, AWS services like S3, RDS, Lambda, ECS, and Linux distributions such as RHEL, CentOS, and Debian.
Each platform’s capabilities, typical use cases, and benefits are discussed, providing a clear understanding of how these
tools contribute to efficient and scalable IT operations.

1. Introduction
Virtualization is a process that allows for more efficient use of physical computer hardware
and is the foundation of cloud computing.

Virtualization uses software to create an abstraction layer over computer hardware, enabling
the division of a single computer's hardware components—such as processors, memory and storage—
into multiple virtual machines (VMs). Each VM runs its own operating system (OS) and behaves
like an independent computer, even though it is running on just a portion of the actual underlying
computer hardware

It follows that virtualization enables more efficient use of physical computer hardware and
allows a greater return on an organization’s hardware investment.

Today, virtualization is a standard practice in enterprise IT architecture. It is also the technology

that drives cloud computing economics. It enables cloud providers to serve users with their existing
physical computer hardware. It enables cloud users to purchase only the computing resources they
need when they need it, and to scale those resources cost-effectively as their workloads grow.

2. The History of Virtualization

While invented in the 1960s, virtualization technology didn't become popular until the early
2000s. Back then, the tech (like hypervisors) aimed to give multiple users access to computers for
batch processing tasks (like running payroll).

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 However, other solutions for sharing a single machine gained more traction, like time-sharing
within operating systems. This eventually led to the development of UNIX and later Linux.
Virtualization remained on the sidelines for many years.

Fast forward to the 1990s. Companies relied on single-vendor IT systems, making it difficult
to run older applications on hardware from different vendors. As businesses switched to cheaper,
generic servers and software from various vendors, they ended up with underutilized physical servers
– each server could only handle a specific task from a specific vendor.

This is when virtualization came to the rescue. It allowed companies to partition their servers
and run older applications on different operating systems. Servers became more efficient, reducing
costs associated with buying, setting up, maintaining, and cooling them.

Virtualization's flexibility helped businesses avoid being locked into using a single vendor's
products. It also became the foundation for cloud computing. Today, virtualization is so widely used
that companies often need specialized software just to manage it all.

2.1 Timeline of virtualization

 1967 – CP-40 goes into production use in January 1967. Shortly after a re-
implemented version of it, which we know as CP-67 goes into production use (April).

 1987 – Merge/386 made available to OEMs, which supports multiple simultaneous

virtual 8086 machines. In October it begins shipping, offered with Microport Unix
System V Release 3.
 1994- Kevin Lawton leaves MIT Lincoln Lab and starts the Bochs project.
 1997 - First version of Virtual PC for Macintosh platform releases in June by
Connectix.

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 1999 - On February 8th VMware introduced the first x86 virtualization product for
the Intel IA-32 architecture, known as VMware Virtual Platform, based on earlier
research by its founders at Stanford University. VMware Virtual Platform was based
on software emulation with Guest/Host OS design that required all Guest
environments be stored as files under the host OS filesystem.
 2003 - First release of first open-source x86 hypervisor, Xen.
February 18th – Microsoft acquires virtualization technologies from Connectix
Corporation.
 2006 – July 12th VMware releases VMware Server, a free machine-level
virtualization product for the server market.

Microsoft Virtual PC 2006 is released as a free program, also in July.

July 17th Microsoft bought Softricity.
September 26th moka5 delivers LivePC technology.
HP releases Integrity Virtual Machines Version 2.0, which supports Windows
Server 2003, CD and DVD burners, tape drives and VLAN.

December 11th Virtual Iron releases Virtual Iron 3.1, a free bare-metal
virtualization product for enterprise server virtualization market.

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 2007 January 15th - InnoTek releases VirtualBox Open Source Edition (OSE), the
first professional PC virtualization solution released as open source under the GNU
General Public License (GPL).
 2008 June 28th – HyperV launched by Microsoft
 2013 - Docker, Inc. releases Docker, a series of platform as a service (PaaS) products
that use OS-level virtualization.

 2014 – Sep 8th the first public build of Kubernetes is released, initially designed by
Google.

VMware releases vSphere 6, introducing features like vMotion enhancements and

Virtual Volumes (vVols)

 2015 - Docker releases Docker Engine 1.6 with support for multi-host networking,
enhancing container orchestration capabilities
Introduction of VMware Integrated OpenStack (VIO) for deploying and managing
OpenStack clouds on VMware infrastructure.

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  2016 - Microsoft releases Windows Server 2016 with built-in support for Docker
containers and Hyper-V enhancements.
 2021 - VMware introduces VMware Anywhere Workspace, integrating endpoint
management, security, and collaboration tools.

 2022 - VMware introduces VMware vSphere 7 Update 3, focusing on security

enhancements and Kubernetes integration.
Expansion of edge computing deployments leads to increased use of virtualization for
managing distributed computing resources.

3. Basic Terms and concepts

In this section, I’ve written about the basic terms and concepts that define virtualization.
We'll start with a basic explanation of virtualization itself, including its benefits and its different
types. Next, we'll discuss some popular tools and platforms, along with commonly utilized Linux
distributions tailored for virtualized settings.

 Virtualization: Virtualization is a technique that allows one physical machine to be

divided into multiple logical or virtual machines. Each virtual machine operates

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 independently of others and can run its own operating system and applications. There
are several types of virtualization, including full virtualization, paravirtualization,
containerization, application virtualization, network virtualization, desktop
virtualization, storage virtualization, server virtualization and data
virtualization.
 Full Virtualization: Full virtualization, also known as hardware virtualization, is
the traditional type of virtualization that creates a virtual machine that is completely
independent of the physical hardware infrastructure. Virtualization software
abstracts the hardware from the operating system and applications, allowing them to
operate as if they have direct access to the physical resources.
 Paravirtualization: Paravirtualization is a type of virtualization that
works by creating a special layer between the operating system and the physical
hardware. This layer, known as the paravirtualization layer, allows the operating
system to interact directly with it instead of the physical hardware. Paravirtualization
can offer improved performance over full virtualization because it eliminates the
extra layer of abstraction.

 Containerization: A virtualization method that encapsulates applications and their

dependencies in a container that can run anywhere there is a compatible runtime
environment. Containers share the host operating system, making them lighter and
more efficient than full virtual machines.

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 Application Virtualization : Application virtualization helps a user to have remote
access to an application from a server. The server stores all personal information and
other characteristics of the application but can still run on a local workstation through
the internet.
 Network Virtualization : The ability to run multiple virtual networks with each
having a separate control and data plan. It co-exists together on top of one physical
network. It can be managed by individual parties that are potentially confidential to
each other. Network virtualization provides a facility to create and provision virtual
networks, logical switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, Virtual Private Networks
(VPN), and workload security within days or even weeks.
 Desktop Virtualization : Desktop virtualization allows the users’ OS to be remotely
stored on a server in the data center. It allows the user to access their desktop virtually,
from any location by a different machine. Users who want specific operating systems
other than Windows Server will need to have a virtual desktop. The main benefits of
desktop virtualization are user mobility, portability, and easy management of software
installation, updates, and patches.

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 Storage Virtualization : Storage virtualization is an array of servers that are managed
by a virtual storage system. The servers aren’t aware of exactly where their data is
stored and instead function more like worker bees in a hive. It makes managing storage
from multiple sources be managed and utilized as a single repository. storage
virtualization software maintains smooth operations, consistent performance, and a
continuous suite of advanced functions despite changes, breaks down, and differences
in the underlying equipment.
 Server Virtualization : This is a kind of virtualization in which the masking of server
resources takes place. Here, the central server (physical server) is divided into multiple
different virtual servers by changing the identity number, and processors. So, each
system can operate its operating systems in an isolated manner. Where each sub-server
knows the identity of the central server. It causes an increase in performance and
reduces the operating cost by the deployment of main server resources into a sub-
server resource.
 Data Virtualization : This is the kind of virtualization in which the data is collected
from various sources and managed at a single place without knowing more about the
technical information like how data is collected, stored & formatted then arranged that
data logically so that its virtual view can be accessed by its interested people and
stakeholders, and users through the various cloud services remotely.

 Hypervisor: A hypervisor is a software layer that creates a virtual machine that

functions as a separate computer system on a host computer. A hypervisor allows
multiple operating systems and applications to run simultaneously on a single physical
machine, effectively increasing resource utilization and enabling better management.

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 Guest operating system: The guest operating system is the operating system that
runs in the virtual machine.
 Host operating system: The host operating system is the operating system on
which the hypervisor and virtual machines run.
 Virtual Machine Isolation: Virtual machine isolation ensures that each virtual
machine operates independently of the others, preventing conflicts and improving
security.
 Resource management: Resource management involves the allocation of system
resources such as CPU, memory, and storage among virtual machines. This helps
optimize resource usage and ensure that each virtual machine has enough resources
to run efficiently.
 Migration: Migration involves moving a running virtual machine from one host to
another. This can help improve resource efficiency by ensuring that virtual machines
are running on the best possible hardware configurations.
 Backup: Backup involves the creation of a virtual machine recovery point that can
be used to restore the system in case of damage or data loss. This is an important part
of the disaster and recovery strategy for any virtual environment.
 Patches: Patches are updates that fix bugs or vulnerabilities in the operating
system or software. It is important to apply patches regularly to maintain the security
and stability of your virtual environment.
 Cloud virtualization: Cloud virtualization involves using virtualization in a cloud
environment where virtual machines are created, managed, and delivered as services
to users. This allows organizations to take advantage of the flexibility, scalability, and
economies of scale of cloud computing while leveraging virtualization to further
improve efficiency and control.
 Data Center: A data center is a facility that contains a large number of servers and
other network equipment used to store, process and distribute data. Data centers play
a crucial role in modern information technology, as they provide the necessary
infrastructure to host and manage virtual machines and other services.
 Telecommunications: Telecommunications refers to the transmission of information
over communication channels, such as telephone lines, fiber optic cables, and
wireless networks. In the context of virtualization, telecommunications can be used
to connect virtual machines to a network or to provide access to the Internet and
other external resources.

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  Infrastructure as Code (IaC): IaC is an infrastructure management approach where
infrastructure configurations are defined as code that can be managed using versioning
and source control. This enables more efficient and consistent deployment and
management of virtual machines and other infrastructure components.

3.1 Platforms and tools

Virtualization platforms are essential in modern computing environments for optimizing

resource utilization by allowing multiple virtual machines to run on the same physical hardware,
enhancing isolation between applications and operating systems, ensuring flexibility and
scalability through rapid provisioning and deployment, providing a safe environment for testing
and development activities, consolidating infrastructure to achieve cost savings, enabling high
availability and fault tolerance features, and maintaining compatibility with legacy systems. These
platforms facilitate efficient use of hardware resources, improve security and stability, reduce
operational costs, and support business continuity efforts, making them indispensable tools for
organizations managing complex IT infrastructures.

These are some of the popular virtualization platforms that organizations commonly rely on
for managing their IT infrastructures:

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 Docker: Docker is an open-source containerization platform that automates the
deployment, scaling, and management of applications. It is often used for creating and
managing containerized applications.
 Kubernetes: Kubernetes is an open-source orchestration platform that is frequently
utilized for creating and managing clusters of containerized applications similarly to
Docker.
 VMware: VMware is a company that provides virtualization solutions, including
VMware ESXi, a hypervisor widely used in data centers. VMware offers various
products and services related to virtualization, including VMware vCenter Server
and VMware NSX.
 Microsoft Hyper-V: Microsoft Hyper-V is a hypervisor included in Windows
Server, enabling the creation and management of virtual machines. It is commonly
used in Windows environments for virtualization.
 Xen: Xen is an open-source hypervisor widely used in data centers and other large
organizations. It is often employed in open-source environments for virtualization.

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 Amazon EC2: Amazon EC2 is an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offering that
allows users to create and manage virtual machines in the cloud. It is frequently
utilized by organizations seeking to leverage the flexibility and scalability of cloud
computing while using virtualization to further enhance efficiency and control.

 Google Compute Engine: Google Compute Engine (GCE) is an IaaS service that
enables users to create and manage virtual machines in the cloud , much like Amazon
EC2.

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 OpenStack: OpenStack is an open source platform that uses pooled virtual
resources to build and manage private and public clouds. The tools that comprise
the OpenStack platform, called "projects," handle the core cloud-computing
services of compute, networking, storage, identity, and image services.

 QEMU: QEMU (Quick Emulator) is a free and open-source emulator. It emulates

a computer's processor through dynamic binary translation and provides a set of
different hardware and device models for the machine, enabling it to run a variety of
guest operating systems.

 VirtualBox: VirtualBox is open-source virtualization software that allows the

creation and management of virtual machines on personal computers. It is commonly
used by individual users and small businesses for virtualization.
 Parallels Desktop: Parallels Desktop for Mac is software providing hardware
virtualization for Macintosh computers with Intel processors, and since version 16.5
also for Apple silicon-based Macintosh computers.
 Hyper-V Manager: The Hyper-V Manager console in Windows Server can be
used to create VMs on a Hyper-V host. It can also be used to launch console sessions
with existing VMs and perform many other management tasks.
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 VMRC: VMRC (Virtual Machine Remote Console) is a remote management tool
included in VMware ESXi that allows administrators to interact with virtual
machines remotely.
 vSphere: The vSphere Client acts as an administrative interface to access VMware
hosts. These hosts, which run VMware ESXi, are the servers that run individual
virtual machines (VMs). The vSphere Client attaches to the host servers. By using
this interface, admins can create and manage VMs, as well as host resources.
 vCenter Server: vCenter Server is a centralized management tool for the vSphere
platform, allowing administrators to monitor, manage, and maintain their data
centers.
 NSX: NSX (Network Virtualization and Security) is VMware's network
virtualization platform, providing network virtualization, security, and
management.
 Azure Stack: Azure Stack is a hybrid cloud platform developed by Microsoft,
enabling organizations to extend their on-premises data centers to the Azure public
cloud.

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 Azure Government: Azure Government is a version of the Azure service
specifically designed for government agencies, meeting the security and compliance
requirements of the US government.
 AWS (Amazon Web Services): AWS is a cloud computing platform that provides
a wide range of services, including compute, storage, databases, and networking
services.

 S3 (Simple Storage Service): S3 is an object storage service provided by AWS,

allowing users to store and retrieve data from a scalable and highly available array.
 RDS (Relational Database Service): RDS is a managed database service provided
by AWS, allowing users to create, manage, and scale relational databases in the cloud.
 Lambda: Lambda is a serverless computing service provided by AWS, allowing users
to run code without managing infrastructure.

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  ECS (Elastic Container Service): ECS is a container orchestration service
provided by AWS, allowing users to create, manage, and scale containerized
applications in the cloud.
 Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): RHEL is a commercial distribution of Linux
widely used in data centers and other large organizations.
 CentOS: CentOS is a free and open-source distribution of Linux based on RHEL
and often used as an alternative to RHEL.
 Debian: Debian is a free and open-source distribution of Linux, one of the oldest and
most widely used distributions.

4. Conclusion
In conclusion, the exploration of virtualization has revealed its significance as a
transformative concept in the realm of computing.

The discussion on virtualization environments and tools has shown us the diverse array of
options available to practitioners, each catering to specific needs and objectives. From hypervisors
to containerization platforms, the landscape is rich with solutions that empower organizations to
optimize resource utilization, enhance scalability, and streamline operations.

As we navigate the complexities of an increasingly digital world, virtualization stands as a

cornerstone technology, offering a pathway to innovation and agility. By embracing its principles and
leveraging its capabilities, organizations can unlock new frontiers of possibility, driving productivity,
innovation, and competitiveness in the digital age.

In essence, virtualization represents not merely a tool or technology, but a paradigm shift—
an evolution in our approach to computing that promises to reshape the fabric of IT infrastructure
and redefine the boundaries of possibility.

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