Virtualization

Virtualization is fundamental to cloud computing, since it allows several operating systems and applications to run on the same server at the same time. In combination with a cloud infrastructure provider, virtualization enables organizations to make more efficient use of their IT resources.

Through the use of software, virtualization can divide the physical components of a single computer, such as its processors, memory, storage, and other components, into several virtual computers, also known as virtual machines (VMs). Despite only using a small percentage of the real underlying computer hardware, each virtual machine (VM) runs its own operating system (OS) and functions like a separate computer.