Virtualization Infrastructure broadly describes the separation between resource or request for service from the physical delivery of that service or resource. On a computer virtual memory gains access to additional memory other than the physical computer memory installed on the computer. Virtualization Infrastructure acts similarly. It is applied to Networks, Storage, Laptops, and Computers, server hardware, operating system, thin clients and software applications. A layer of blended technologies provides and abstraction between computer storage, networking hardware and the application running on it. System Administrators have the advantage of maintaining and managing resources across the physical enterprise. The goal is to reduce costs associated with human resources and IT investment.

For example: 1. Eliminates server acquisition via virtual machines or VMs that offer transparent shared hardware. 2. Tightens the [disaster recovery] window by encapsulating large systems into single files the can be easily replicated and stored and then restored to minimize lost work time. 3. Secures end user PCs without reducing end user PCs by placing security software inside the Virtualization Layer.

Running multiple operating systems on shared hardware resource is know as partitioning the most common form of Virtualization. This approach is quickly being replaced by hypervisor architecture some time commonly referred to as the "bare metal approach" because the layer of Virtualization software is applied directly to the enterprise architecture.

Facts: The most common platform for Virtualization is the x86 Architecture The most common Virtualization layer is VMWare. The most recent release is VMware Infrastructure 3: v3.5

External links

• VMWare