C26 1 hr
Virtualization
Define virtualization and see how it underpins cloud computing.
Definition
Virtualization creates a software-based version of a physical resource — a server, storage, or network — so multiple isolated systems can share one physical machine.
Why it matters
- Utilisation — one server runs many workloads instead of sitting idle.
- Isolation — a failure or attack in one VM does not automatically affect others.
- Flexibility — VMs can be cloned, moved, snapshotted, and resized.
A hypervisor
A hypervisor manages virtual machines:
- Type 1 (bare metal) — runs directly on hardware (e.g. ESXi, Hyper-V).
- Type 2 (hosted) — runs on top of a desktop OS (e.g. VirtualBox).
Check your understanding
- Define virtualization in one sentence.
- Explain one security benefit of isolating workloads in VMs.