virtualize

Virtualize is a term used to describe the process of making something virtual or creating a virtual version of a resource that is typically physical. In computing, virtualization abstracts and partitions computing resources such as CPUs, memory, storage, and networks so that multiple virtual resources can operate on a single physical platform. This abstraction enables isolation, flexibility, and better utilization of hardware.

The core technology is the hypervisor, which manages virtual machines (VMs). Hypervisors come in two broad classes: Type 1, or bare-metal hypervisors, run directly on hardware; Type 2, or hosted hypervisors, run atop an operating system. A related approach is OS-level virtualization or containerization, which uses the host operating system kernel to run multiple isolated user-space instances (containers) with less overhead than full VMs. Virtualization also extends to storage (virtual disks, pooled storage), networks (virtual switches and overlays), and applications (application virtualization).

Historically, virtualization emerged from mainframe and server technologies and gained widespread traction with x86 hardware in the late 1990s and 2000s, aided by hardware-assisted virtualization features such as Intel VT-x and AMD-V. In modern IT, virtualization underpins cloud computing, data centers, desktop virtualization, and edge deployments.

Benefits include improved hardware utilization, easier workload mobility, simplified backup and disaster recovery, and scalable resource provisioning. Challenges can involve performance overhead, licensing costs, complexity of management, and security considerations. Related concepts include VM infrastructure, containers, and software-defined networks, all of which aim to abstract and optimize resource use through virtualization.