SERVER AND DESKTOP

VIRTUALIZATION
Unit II
UNIT II
SERVER AND DESKTOP VIRTUALIZATION

Virtual machine basics- Types of virtual machines- Understanding

Server Virtualization- types of server virtualization- Business Cases for
Server Virtualization – Uses of Virtual Server Consolidation – Selecting
Server Virtualization Platform-Desktop Virtualization-Types of Desktop
Virtualization
Virtual machine basics
• A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based, digital version of a
physical computer, allowing multiple operating systems and
applications to run on a single physical machine.
• Essentially, it's a "computer within a computer," providing an isolated
environment for various tasks. VMs are crucial for cloud computing,
testing, and development, offering flexibility and resource
optimization.
 • Emulation:
A VM emulates a physical computer's hardware (CPU, memory,
storage, etc.) using software.
• Guest OS:
It runs its own operating system (like Windows, Linux, or macOS) and
applications, independent of the host OS.
• Isolation:
VMs are isolated from each other and the host machine, enhancing
security and stability.
Hypervisor
A hypervisor is software (sometimes firmware or hardware-based)
that enables virtualization by separating physical resources from VMs.
• There are two types:

• Type 1 (Bare Metal): Runs directly on hardware (e.g., VMware ESXi,

Microsoft Hyper-V)
• Type 2 (Hosted): Runs on top of a host OS (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware
Workstation)
• The hypervisor is responsible for assigning CPU, memory, disk, and
network to each VM.
Types of Virtualization
Types of Virtual Machines
There are two main types of VMs:
• 1. Process Virtual Machine

Designed to run a single application (or process).

Example: Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which allows Java programs to
run on any platform.
• 2. System Virtual Machine

Emulates an entire physical machine.

Can run a full OS like Linux, Windows, or macOS.
Example: VMs created using VirtualBox, VMware, or Hyper-V.
Types of Virtualization
1. Hardware Virtualization (Server Virtualization)
• Hardware virtualization is the process of creating multiple virtual
machines (VMs) that run on a single physical server using a hypervisor.
• A hypervisor (like VMware ESXi or Microsoft Hyper-V) directly interacts
with the physical hardware.
• It allocates physical resources (CPU, memory, storage) to each VM.
• Each VM operates independently with its own OS and applications.
Benefits:
• Efficient hardware utilization.
• Cost savings (fewer physical servers needed).
• Scalability and easier deployment of services.
• Fault isolation: if one VM crashes, others remain unaffected.
• 2. Software Virtualization
• Software virtualization allows an operating system or application to run in
an environment that is different from its native platform.
• A software layer mimics the required hardware or operating system.
• Example: Running Android OS on a Windows PC using an emulator like
BlueStacks.
Benefits:
• Cross-platform compatibility.
• Testing apps on different OS versions.
• Reduced software conflicts
3. Storage Virtualization
• Storage virtualization combines multiple physical storage devices into a
single logical storage pool, making management easier and more flexible.
• Software abstracts the physical storage from multiple devices.
• The system presents the unified storage as a single resource to users and
applications.
Benefits:
• Centralized storage management.
• Better performance through load balancing.
• Easier scaling and disaster recovery.
4. Network Virtualization
• Network virtualization abstracts network resources, allowing multiple
virtual networks to be created on a single physical infrastructure.
• Combines hardware (switches, routers) and software resources into a
virtual network.
• Divides bandwidth into independent channels for better resource
allocation.
Benefits:
• Improved network efficiency and security.
• Easier management and scaling.
• Dynamic provisioning of network resources.
5. Desktop Virtualization
• Desktop virtualization separates the desktop environment from the physical
machine and stores it on a remote server.
• Users access their virtual desktop over a network using any device (PC, tablet,
thin client).
• All processing and data remain on the central server.
Benefits:
• Centralized control and security.
• Easier software updates and patches.
• Flexibility for remote work.
•
 Understanding Server Virtualization
• Server virtualization is the process of splitting one physical server into
multiple, independent virtual servers using a hypervisor software,
which allows each virtual machine (VM) to run its own operating
system and applications on shared hardware.
• Server virtualization allows you to create Virtual Machines
(VM) with their dedicated IT resources and operating systems.
• All the virtual machines act as separate entities, completely isolated
from each other. This is done with the help of a hypervisor.
• A hypervisor is a tool that separates the host operating system from
the underlying server hardware. It enables easy creation,
deployment, and management of VMs.
Overview of Server Virtualization Types

Server virtualization can be categorized into three primary types.

• Full Virtualization – A complete abstraction of physical hardware.

• Para-Virtualization – A collaborative approach requiring

modifications to the operating system.
• OS-Level Virtualization – Virtualization at the operating system
level.
OS-Level Virtualization
• OS-level virtualization is a virtualization technique where the
operating system kernel allows multiple isolated user-space
instances, called containers, to run on a single host operating
system.
• Unlike hardware virtualization (VMs), where a hypervisor creates
and runs separate virtual machines with their own operating
systems, OS-level virtualization shares the same kernel and only
isolates processes, file systems, and resources.
Advantages
• Single Kernel – All containers share the same host OS kernel.
• Lightweight – Since no extra OS is installed for each instance, it
consumes fewer resources.
• Isolation – Each container behaves like an independent system (with
its own libraries, processes, and network stack).
• Fast Startup – Containers launch in seconds (much faster than VMs).
Examples

• Docker
• LXC (Linux Containers)
• OpenVZ
• FreeBSD Jails
• Solaris Zones
• Why Containers Start Faster than VMs
1. No Need to Boot a Guest OS
2. Lightweight File System & Resources
3. No Hardware Emulation (run directly on the host OS)
4. Process-Level Isolation
VMs: VM = full OS → many system services must start before your
application runs.
Containers: A container = just a user-space process isolated by the
OS.
 Business Cases for Server Virtualization

• The first step in planning to deploy server virtualization technologies is to understand

how it can be applied to business objectives.

• Virtualization can be used in a very straight-forward manner much like physical servers
and when used in this way can help reduce physical server hardware costs by
consolidating multiple servers onto a single server.

• virtualization simplifies and enhances legacy server and application support, while
providing new opportunities in disaster recovery and high-availability scenarios.

• virtual machines are much easier to deploy than physical servers and because the
software nature of virtualization technology lends itself well to automation of
provisioning, on-demand and adaptive computing are more easily realized.
Server Consolidation
Server consolidation is the process of reducing the number of physical
servers in an IT environment by running multiple workloads or applications
on fewer, more powerful servers.
Benefits:
• Cost Savings
• Better Resource Utilization
• Simplified Management
• Improved Disaster Recovery
• Scalability and Flexibility
Legacy Server and Application Support
A legacy server or legacy application refers to older hardware, software, or systems
that are still in use, even though newer and more modern technologies are available.
providing maintenance, compatibility, and operational support for these old servers and
applications to keep them running. Support may include:
● Security patches and updates (if available).

● Migration strategies to newer platforms.

● Virtualization of legacy systems to reduce hardware dependency.

● Ensuring the applications remain functional until they can be upgraded or replaced.
Disaster Recovery (DR)
The process of protecting virtual servers and applications so they can be quickly
restored or migrated in case of a failure, cyberattack, natural disaster, or hardware
crash.
In a virtualized environment, DR is more efficient compared to physical servers
because virtual machines (VMs) are software-based and can be easily backed up,
replicated, or moved to another server or data center.
Features of Disaster Recovery:
• VM Snapshots and Backups
• Replication
• High Availability (HA)
• Live Migration / vMotion
• Centralized Management
•
 High Availability
It ensuring that virtual machines (VMs) and applications continue to run with minimal
downtime even if the underlying physical hardware (server, storage, or network) fails.
Instead of applications going offline during a server crash, HA mechanisms
automatically restart VMs on other healthy servers in the virtualization cluster.
Benefits of High Availability:
Minimized Downtime → Business applications stay available with minimal interruption.
No Hardware Dependency → VMs can restart on any host in the cluster.
Improved Reliability → System automatically handles failures.
Scalability → As business grows, new hosts can be added to the HA cluster.
Cost-Effective → Provides resilience without requiring a full duplicate data center.
Uses of Virtual Server Consolidation
Virtual Server Consolidation is one of the primary benefits of virtualization, where
multiple physical servers are consolidated into fewer physical machines using
virtual machines (VMs).
1. Optimized Resource Utilization
2. Reduced Infrastructure Costs
3. Lower Power and Cooling Requirements
4. Simplified IT Management
5. Improved Disaster Recovery & High Availability
6. Faster Deployment of Applications and Services
7. Flexibility and Scalability
8. Legacy Application Support
Selecting Server Virtualization Platform
❏ It means choosing the right virtualization software (hypervisor and management
tools) that will host, manage, and run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on
physical hardware.
This is an important step because the choice of platform affects performance, cost,
scalability, and compatibility in your IT environment.
Factors in Selecting a Server Virtualization Platform:
1. Type of Hypervisor
2. Performance and Scalability
3. Compatibility
4. Management Tools
5. High Availability & Disaster Recovery
6. Security Features
7. Vendor Support & Ecosystem
Desktop Virtualization
Desktop virtualization is a technology that separates the desktop environment
(operating system, applications, and user data) from the physical computer
(PC/laptop) and runs it on a centralized server or virtual machine.
Instead of being tied to one physical device, the user’s desktop can be accessed
remotely from any device (thin client, laptop, tablet, mobile, etc.) over a network.
Key Features
● Users see and interact with a normal desktop interface.

● The actual processing and storage happen on a server or VM in the data

center/cloud.

● Access can be local or remote (via LAN, WAN, or Internet).

Uses of Desktop Virtualization
● Work from Anywhere: Employees can access their desktop securely from any
device.
● Security: Data stays in the data center/cloud, not on the end device.
● Centralized Management: IT teams can update, patch, and maintain desktops
from one place.
● Cost Savings: Reduces need for high-end user devices (thin clients are enough).
● Disaster Recovery: Easy to restore desktops if hardware is lost or damaged.
● Testing & Development: Developers can run multiple isolated desktop
environments on a single machine.
Definition
Desktop virtualization is the abstraction of
the desktop environment (OS, applications,
user settings) from the physical device,
delivering it to end-users as a service from a
centralized infrastructure (on-premises or
cloud).
It allows IT administrators to run and manage
multiple desktops from a central server, while
users experience the same as working on a
local PC.
Architecture
A desktop virtualization environment typically has:
● Endpoint Devices (Clients): Thin clients, laptops, tablets, or even smartphones.

● Virtualization Layer (Hypervisor): Runs virtual desktops on servers.

● Connection Broker: Manages user authentication and assigns desktops.

● Management & Control Plane: Centralized tools for provisioning, updates, policies.

● Data Storage: Centralized storage for VM images, user profiles, and apps.

● Networking: Secure protocols (like RDP, ICA, PCoIP) deliver the desktop over
LAN/WAN/Internet.
Local Desktop Virtualization

● Here, the virtual machine (VM) runs on your own computer using software like VMware Workstation or
Oracle VirtualBox.
● Example: You install Linux VM inside your Windows laptop → both run on the same machine.
● Use case: Developers and students use this to test different OS/software without needing multiple
computers.

Remote Desktop Virtualization

● Here, the desktop doesn’t run on your computer.

● Instead, it runs on a server (in a data center or cloud), and you connect to it remotely using
the internet or a local network.
● Example: Using Microsoft Remote Desktop or Citrix to log in to your office PC from home.
● Use case: Companies use it so employees can access work desktops securely from anywhere.

Citrix Workspace, VMware Horizon, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Amazon WorkSpaces
Types of Desktop Virtualization

1. Local Desktop Virtualization

● The virtual desktop runs directly on your own computer using a
hypervisor (Type 2).

● Your hardware (CPU, RAM, storage) does all the work.

● Example: VMware Workstation, Oracle VirtualBox.

● Use case: Developers, testers, or students who want to run multiple OS

on the same machine.
2. Remote Desktop Virtualization
● The desktop runs on a remote server (in datacenter/cloud), not on your local
machine.

● You connect to it through a network using remote protocols (RDP, ICA,

PCoIP).

● Example: Microsoft Remote Desktop, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops.

● Use case: Employees accessing their work desktop from home or anywhere.
3. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
● Each user gets their own virtual machine running on a central server.

● Can be:

○ Persistent VDI → user’s settings and data stay saved.

○ Non-Persistent VDI → resets to a clean state after logout.

● Example: VMware Horizon, Citrix VDI.

● Use case: Enterprises needing isolated, secure, and customizable

desktops for many employees.
4) Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS)
● Cloud providers host desktops and deliver them over the internet.

● Subscription / pay-as-you-go model.

● Example: Amazon WorkSpaces, Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop.

● Use case: Companies wanting virtual desktops without managing

infrastructure.
Quiz
What is the main purpose of desktop virtualization?
a) To increase internet speed
b) To separate the desktop environment from physical hardware
c) To improve printing quality
d) To install more RAM

b) To separate the desktop environment from physical hardware

In local desktop virtualization, where does the virtual desktop run?
a) On a remote server
b) On the user’s local computer
c) On a smartphone
d) On a thin client only

b) On the user’s local computer

Which of the following is an example of local desktop virtualization
software?
a) VMware Horizon
b) Citrix Virtual Apps
c) Oracle VirtualBox
d) Amazon WorkSpaces

c) Oracle VirtualBox
Remote desktop virtualization allows users to:
a) Run multiple OS on the same laptop offline
b) Access desktops hosted on a server via a network
c) Install applications without an OS
d) Use the cloud without internet

b) Access desktops hosted on a server via a

network
In VDI, each user gets:
a) A shared OS session
b) A dedicated virtual machine with its own OS
c) A thin client only
d) A shared folder on the server

b) A dedicated virtual machine with its own OS

Which of the following is an advantage of VDI?
a) All users must share the same OS
b) High isolation and customization per user
c) No need for servers
d) Works only without internet

b) High isolation and customization per user

Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) is mainly delivered through:
a) Cloud providers
b) Local machine only
c) External hard drives
d) DVD installations

a) Cloud providers
Which of the following is an example of a DaaS solution?
a) VMware Workstation
b) Amazon WorkSpaces
c) Oracle VirtualBox
d) Citrix Hypervisor

b) Amazon WorkSpaces
A key benefit of DaaS for businesses is:
a) No need for electricity
b) Pay-as-you-go subscription model
c) Free internet access
d) Unlimited storage without cost

b) Pay-as-you-go subscription model

Which of the following best differentiates Remote Desktop Virtualization
from VDI?
a) Remote Desktop Virtualization gives each user their own VM, while VDI
gives shared sessions.
b) Remote Desktop Virtualization gives shared sessions, while VDI gives
each user their own VM.
c) Both provide dedicated VMs for every user.
d) Both provide only shared sessions.

b) Remote Desktop Virtualization gives shared sessions, while VDI gives

each user their own VM.