
Virtualizations
All You Need To Learn About Server Virtualization Software
By TechDogs Editorial Team

Overview
However, to make this modern feat possible, businesses need a dedicated software and that’s what this article is about – Server Virtualization Software! It allows businesses to improve their operational efficiency and agility, while making the need for tons of hardware servers obsolete.
Today, we are going to talk about what Server Virtualization Software is, why we need it, its journey so far and where it will take us in the future. So, cast off your hardware and join us on this digital journey to understand Server Virtualization Software.
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Magic is in the air folks and not just any magic. We're talking about a type of magic that actually gives you powers. How does one gain this power, you ask? Through Server Virtualization Software! Why do we need this power? No, not to defeat Thanos from destroying half the life in the universe! As an independent organization, hosting data, applications and computing resources requires massive amounts of hardware. Especially if a physical data center is installed on-premises, it requires tons of hardware installations which means higher amount of electricity consumption, cooling systems, floor space, etc. That's why you need this power...
Seems like it's time we introduced you to the Server Virtualization Software and its magical power! Server Virtualization Software enables us to replace traditional physical servers with virtual machines, that operate as individual copies of the physical servers. The Infinity Stones in the Infinity Gauntlet had the ability to destroy the universe but were also strong and capable on their own. Similarly, each of these virtual servers has the capability of running its own operating system just like the physical server. These virtual servers also have higher processing capabilities, take no space (think how many rooms physical servers take up!) and provide better provisioning or resources.
Surely, you want to know more about these awesome virtual servers and the software that enables them – well, let’s go then!
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t!
Server Virtualization Software allows businesses to a provision a physical server by dividing it into isolated virtual versions. Since each virtual server is mimicking an individual physical server, they have the capability of running their own operating system independently. (Just as the Soul Stone or Space Stone were powerful on their own without the other stones!)
This avoids the need for tons of physical hardware, which saves electricity, maintenance costs and eliminates cooling systems needed to fight the heat created by hardware machines. Having said that, you would still need an actual physical server but of course, you need a lot fewer of them as their resources are being divided and used more efficiently.
Now that we know what Server Virtualization Software is, let's take a look at its journey up to this point.
Your Ancestors Would Call it Magic!

Even though virtualization technologies have been around since the 1960s, with the rise of the internet, there came a practical need for server virtualization. Enterprises had the resources to buy multiple physical servers and operate them on-premises. However, smaller companies wanted to deploy websites and applications but didn't have the resources to buy physical servers. With this demand, the concept of hosts providing disk space on a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server arose. In the late 1990s, VMware released VMware Workstation, which enabled the virtualization of x86/x64 servers. This software was key in paving the way for the future of Server Virtualization Software.
However, even more interesting was the fact that Linux, Mac OS and Windows could all be run using the same host hardware, which opened up various possibilities. Then we began to see hypervisors such as Xen and OpenVZ begin to appear. (Certain “software emulators” are required to enable server virtualization and that's what a hypervisor is.)
Let's fast-forward to 2003, where ISPsystem released VMmanager. This enabled anyone to create virtual machines on Linux or Windows and deploy them to remote locations. These virtual machines could be then sold to clients who needed virtual server services. This led to where we are today, with many companies providing server virtualization services through the use of Server Virtualization Software.
This Is A Bit Confusing — Can You Break it Down, Jarvis?
The first step to using a Server Virtualization Software is understanding the hypervisor setup. The hypervisor's job is to create a virtual layer on the host’s machine that enables the creation of virtual servers. You see, the hypervisor within the Server Virtualization Software emulates the physical resources of the physical server, allowing a virtual server to be created. Think of it as “virtualizing” or making a virtual copy of the physical server.
Since the hypervisor emulates the physical server exactly as is, it doesn't matter what Operating System (OS) the end-user is using - the virtual servers will act as if they are running the OS of the physical server itself. Each virtual server can then run its own OS, which means it can offer more processing capabilities than a room full of physical servers that only use a single OS. To put it simply – conventional servers only use a fraction of their capacities (you know, just like your brain supposedly only uses 10% of its capacity - according to Scarlett Johanson in Lucy anyway!).
To use the unused capacity efficiently, the Server Virtualization Software creates several virtual servers. Basically, not all servers are used all the time and most servers have extra processing power left over at any given time. So, Server Virtualization Software uses a little processing power from one server, a little from another and boom – it creates a virtual server that doesn't actually exist but can do everything, as well as a physical server, can do. (Ultron would probably approve, right?)
Are There More Avengers Or Types Of Server Virtualization Software?
Well, there’s Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow... well, let’s just say there are more Avengers. Yet, there are various types of Server Virtualization Software, based on the type of technology it uses.
Let's take a look at them -
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Hypervisor
This is the layer that exists between the virtual server’s OS and the user’s hardware device. It is what enables multiple operating systems to run smoothly on the same virtual server.
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Para Virtualization
This virtualization technology allows the guest OS to be modified within a virtual machine so that the operating system can share resources as well as collaborate. With this type of software, communication between the guest operating system and the hypervisor is seamless.
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Full Virtualization
This underlying technology is only emulated when necessary. This type of virtualization software is similar to Para Virtualization, however it not only emulates various operating systems on the remote hardware but also mimics the entire physical server. Full Virtualization enables the running of an several unmodified operating systems on top of the Hypervisor.
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Hardware-assisted Virtualization
This type of virtualization is very much like Para and Full Virtualization, except it needs support from hardware. Hardware-assisted server virtualization enables communication with the virtual server while securing privileged operations and hardware access requests. For businesses dealing with confidential information, such as government and defense contractors this is the most suitable option.
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Kernel Level Virtualization
Using this software multiple virtual machines can be easily run on a single host server. This type of virtualization software is used in lieu of a Hypervisor sometimes.
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OS Virtualization
In this type of virtualization software, a dedicated physical server is split into multiple virtual environments. Here, the host operating system shares a kernel that is shared between all virtual machines, which is why it is also referred to as the shared kernel approach. Security and isolation are enhanced with an OS virtualization solution.
Why We Need This Magic!
Why do we need Server Virtualization Software? Well, first of all, it eliminates the need for space-consuming and expensive physical servers. Since Server Virtualization Software emulates what a physical server does - and that too more efficiently – money and resources are saved.
Moreover, through dynamic provisioning computing resources and power are not wasted with Server Virtualization Software. Redundancy practices are triggered without the need for additional hardware, which reduces the idle running of servers and helps organizations or businesses streamline operations.
Productivity is also increased as the need to maintain and manage physical servers is less when utilizing Server Virtualization Software. This enables an organization's IT department to spend more time on other tasks that are more productive. For example, if the IT department is not spending weeks on the installation, provisioning and maintenance of physical servers, it can focus on optimizing other concerns that can increase revenue and streamline digital operations.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Well Thanos might know the future, he already has the Time Stone! However, we must see for ourselves. As we go towards the future, enterprise applications will continue to be depend highly on server virtualization. However, the direction in which businesses and organizations are moving is serverless computing. So, developers of Server Virtualization Software will work towards creating a serverless computing environment.
Containers, serverless environments and traditional virtual machines will find newer and faster methods of running workloads and developers will continue to develop solutions with this in mind. Especially, the use of containers is gaining popularity among developers, as they provide a more streamlined experience (as well as being lighter) than virtual machines. Although virtual machines are at the heart of many businesses running smoothly using Server Virtualization Software, developers will be working on experiments that ignore the virtual machine entirely.
If Server Virtualization is going to utilize containers more in the future, it is going to require a lot of work to make sure this approach has better management tools as well as better security measures. Leaders such as VMware or Citrix Systems, Inc. are working diligently to advance this type of software. We could possibly see completely virtualized server processing in the not-too-distant future. That would truly be magical!
Conclusion

We hope you have understood what Server Virtualization Software is, where it came from and where it is going. If you haven't used Server Virtualization Software yet then it's time to get on board and join the new-age party! Server Virtualization Software cuts costs as well as the usage of power, allowing virtual servers to run at their full potential. It should be apparent why we need this groundbreaking virtual environment and why businesses will grow and prosper with the help of Server Virtualization Software.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Server Virtualization Software and how does it work?
Server Virtualization Software is a technology that enables businesses to optimize their computing resources by replacing traditional physical servers with virtual machines. These virtual machines operate as individual copies of physical servers, each capable of running its own operating system independently. The software achieves this by provisioning a physical server and dividing it into isolated virtual versions, mimicking the functionalities of individual physical servers. Through this process, businesses can reduce the need for extensive hardware installations, thereby saving costs on electricity, maintenance, and cooling systems. Essentially, Server Virtualization Software creates a virtual layer on the host machine, known as the hypervisor, which emulates the physical server's resources and allows for the creation of virtual servers.
Why do businesses need Server Virtualization Software?
Server Virtualization Software offers several benefits that address the needs of modern businesses. Firstly, it eliminates the need for space-consuming and expensive physical servers, saving costs and resources. Additionally, it enables dynamic provisioning of computing resources, preventing wastage of power and resources. Redundancy practices are triggered without additional hardware, streamlining operations and increasing productivity. With reduced maintenance requirements for physical servers, IT departments can focus on more productive tasks, optimizing revenue and digital operations. Overall, Server Virtualization Software provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for businesses to manage their computing resources effectively and adapt to changing technological landscapes.
What are the different types of Server Virtualization Software?
Server Virtualization Software comes in various types, each employing different technologies to achieve virtualization. The main types include Hypervisor, Para Virtualization, Full Virtualization, Hardware-assisted Virtualization, Kernel Level Virtualization, and OS Virtualization. These technologies enable the creation of virtual servers, each with distinct advantages based on specific business needs and security requirements.
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