Virtualization Technology was first discussed as an idea in the 1950s and was developed by IBM in the mid-1960s. This technology was initially implemented on IBM System/360 mainframe computers, enabling multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on the same physical hardware. This allowed for more efficient use of computer resources and enabled different users to share the same machine.
Virtual servers are independent server environments created by partitioning the resources of a physical server in a virtual environment. Each virtual server has its own operating system and applications, while sharing the physical server’s resources. This structure is made possible through virtualization technology.
Virtualization is a software layer that allows the sharing of hardware resources (CPU, memory, storage, network) on a physical server among virtual servers. This process is typically managed by a hypervisor (virtualization software). The hypervisor acts as a bridge between the physical server and the virtual servers, allocating necessary resources to the virtual servers.
A hypervisor (or Hypervisor) is software that allows the creation and management of multiple virtual servers (VMs) on a physical server. Its primary function is to share physical hardware resources among virtual servers and ensure that each virtual server operates independently.
Type 1 hypervisors are virtualization layers that run directly on physical hardware, also known as bare-metal hypervisors. These hypervisors operate without any operating system, interacting directly with the hardware to run virtual machines (VMs). Type 1 hypervisors are capable of providing high performance and efficiency, allowing direct access to system resources.
This structure enables dynamic allocation of the physical server's CPU, RAM, disk space, and network resources among virtual machines, tailoring resource allocation to each VM's needs. Furthermore, these hypervisors offer better security; each virtual machine operates in an isolated environment, helping to limit security vulnerabilities to a confined area.
Type 1 hypervisors are widely used in data centers and cloud computing environments; they optimize the use of physical servers in large data centers while providing virtual server services through cloud service providers. Popular examples include VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer, and KVM, which allow virtual machines to operate with high performance, minimizing latency and enabling more effective resource utilization. However, Type 1 hypervisors also have disadvantages, such as hardware dependency and installation complexity.
Type 2 hypervisors are virtualization layers that run on top of an operating system and are known as hosted hypervisors. These hypervisors allow the creation and management of virtual machines (VMs) by being installed over an existing operating system. A defining feature of Type 2 hypervisors is that they operate using resources provided by the operating system, making it easier for users to manage virtual machines through the current operating system. Advantages of this structure include ease of use, rapid installation, and simple management processes, making them popular among individual users, software developers, and small businesses.
Type 2 hypervisors facilitate the processes of creating and configuring virtual machines with their user-friendly interfaces. Popular hypervisors such as VMware Workstation, Oracle VirtualBox, and Parallels Desktop allow users to create and manage virtual machines with just a few clicks. These hypervisors are typically used on desktop or laptop computers, thus offering significant advantages in areas like software development, testing, and training.
Users can run different operating systems in virtual machines to test software compatibility and enhance their development processes. However, Type 2 hypervisors also have some disadvantages. Because they do not provide direct access to the physical server's hardware resources, they may deliver lower performance compared to Type 1 hypervisors, and latency issues can arise in resource sharing among virtual machines. The presence of the operating system can impact the performance of the hypervisor, which becomes particularly evident when running resource-intensive applications.
Virtualization technology has a wide range of applications across various sectors and is considered an essential component of modern information technology infrastructure. This technology allows for more efficient use of physical resources while providing flexibility and cost savings.
Virtualization is commonly used in data centers. Transforming physical servers into virtual servers simplifies the management of data centers and enables more efficient resource usage.
Multiple virtual machines can operate on a single physical server, reducing hardware costs and saving energy. This situation allows data center operators to offer services at higher densities.
Virtualization forms the backbone of cloud computing services. Server providers use virtualization technology to offer scalable and flexible resources to users. Users can instantly increase or decrease resources based on their needs, providing businesses with opportunities to optimize costs.
Additionally, the rapid creation and management of virtual machines expedite the development and deployment processes of applications.
Shared virtual servers can be defined as virtual machines allocated to multiple users or businesses using virtualization technology on a single physical server. This structure allows the resources of a server (CPU, RAM, storage, etc.) to be shared among different users. This system typically offers a cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized businesses.
The hypervisor partitions the physical server’s resources among virtual machines, allowing each virtual server to run an independent operating system and application environment. Users can remotely access their virtual servers and host various applications on them.
Shared IP address usage refers to multiple devices or websites connecting to the internet using the same IP address. In traditional hosting methods, each website generally requires its own IP address. However, in shared virtual servers, multiple users can share the same IP address. This approach offers significant advantages in terms of cost reduction and efficient resource management, while also playing an important role in the sustainability of internet infrastructure. Particularly due to the limited availability of IPv4 addresses, shared IP usage has become a widely preferred method in the web hosting sector, beyond just a temporary solution.
IPv4 is one of the early versions of the internet, adopted by a wide user base. However, with the proliferation of the internet and the increasing number of devices connected to it, the depletion of IPv4 addresses has become a serious issue. The 32-bit addressing system offers a total of approximately 4.3 billion unique IP addresses. However, this number falls short against the growth of internet users and connected devices. The costs of setting up websites with shared IP addresses and virtual servers have significantly decreased, enabling everyone to own a website without needing IPv6.