virtualización

Virtualización refers to the creation of a virtual version of something, such as an operating system, server, storage device, or network resource. This process is typically achieved through software known as a hypervisor. The hypervisor acts as an intermediary, allowing multiple virtual instances, known as virtual machines (VMs), to run concurrently on a single physical piece of hardware. Each VM operates as if it were an independent computer, with its own operating system, applications, and resources, but they all share the underlying physical infrastructure.

The benefits of virtualización are numerous. It improves hardware utilization by consolidating multiple workloads onto fewer physical servers, reducing costs associated with hardware acquisition, power consumption, and cooling. It enhances flexibility and agility, allowing for rapid deployment of new servers and applications, as well as easier testing and development environments. Disaster recovery and business continuity are also improved, as VMs can be easily backed up, migrated, and restored. Furthermore, virtualización simplifies management by providing centralized control over multiple virtual instances. Different types of virtualización exist, including server virtualización, desktop virtualización, network virtualización, and storage virtualización, each addressing specific needs within an IT infrastructure.