April 19, 2007 4:00 AM PDT
FAQ: Detangling virtualization
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The term typically refers to running multiple operating systems simultaneously on the same computer. It's long been around on high-end servers, but new software and hardware options mean mainstream users are starting to have to worry about virtualization. For example, both major commercial versions of Linux now have virtualization built in, and the next version of Windows for servers will, too.
Virtualization is complicated. But there are reasons you might want to take it seriously.
Mac users can run Windows to tap into the corporate e-mail system, or someone with a Windows Vista PC can run software that will only run on Windows XP. But in practice, the technology today is most likely to appeal to server customers, with advantages ranging from scrapping old hardware to cutting electricity bills.
Virtualization is a classic case of disruptive technology with a steep learning curve. For example, at the upcoming HP Technology Forum, there are 84 presentations to help Hewlett-Packard customers understand virtualization.
Here are some answers about what's happening today with virtualization.
What exactly does virtualization mean?
The term virtualization means that software is running on some sort of virtual foundation rather than the physical hardware it typically expects. Instead of a single operating system controlling a computer's hardware, the virtualization software controls it, providing multiple compartments called virtual machines for the operating systems to run in. Inserting a virtual layer can be liberating. For example, a running operating system can be moved to a fresh server if the one it's running on is suffering a failing memory bank or overtaxed processors.
Virtualization actually has been around the computer industry for decades, for example to run multiple jobs on mainframe computers or to hide the particulars of individual hard drives in a storage system. But now, it's no longer just a high-end technology.
Why is virtualization catching on now?
Because the technology is maturing and can help fix some common problems. Much of the credit for making virtualization a reality goes to an EMC subsidiary called VMware, which brought the technology to computers using mainstream x86 processors such as Intel's Pentium and Advanced Micro Devices' Opteron. In the first quarter of 2007, VMware's revenue grew 96 percent from the year-earlier period to $256 million, so there's no doubt the market is real and growing fast.
VMware built its business gradually. It began on desktop computers, where programmers could harmlessly test crash-prone new software in virtual machines or run Linux and Windows on the same computer, for example. In more recent years, the company's server software business became more lucrative as virtualization enabled customers to replace several inefficiently used servers with a single server running multiple virtual machines. Now the company is moving to a grander virtualization-based vision in which multiple tasks can run with shifting priorities on a pool of centrally managed machines.
Do I get a choice of suppliers here?
Plenty of competitors want a piece of VMware's action. First on the scene was Xen, an open-source project sponsored by Linux sellers, server makers and a start-up called XenSource. Virtual Iron is another start-up that's trying to make a business out of Xen. On the proprietary software side of the industry, Microsoft acquired a company called Connectix to counter VMware's products, but has had only modest success. The real fight will begin by June 2008, when the forthcoming "Longhorn Server" version of Windows gets updated with virtualization software code-named Viridian. Despite the fact that Xen is here now, VMware marketing director Bogomil Balkansky said Viridian is his top concern.
Although Xen got the jump, a newer open-source virtualization project called KVM has stolen some attention. Red Hat and another Linux rival, Canonical's Ubuntu, have blessed KVM, and many Linux programmer heavyweights like its approach.
Another flavor of virtualization lets a single operating system be carved up into several virtual compartments, a lighter-weight approach that's been popular for Web site hosting. SWsoft's Virtuozzo, based on the open-source OpenVZ project, employs this approach, while Sun Microsystems' Solaris built the technology into its Solaris 10 operating system. Microsoft has said it's considering a similar move for Windows.
See more CNET content tagged:
virtualization,
VMware,
virtual machine,
Xen,
server software
VMware and the others are thriving on the shortcomings of the operating systems of the world. They will do very well for a while but in the long term they will need to adapt. Thriving on someone else?s folly can only last so long. If they are lucky in the long term, VMware, ZEN, VI and the other virtual players will be gobbled up by MS, SUN, Novell, or maybe even ORCL.
BTW, I have championed VMware for several years as it has made my professional life much easier and saved my companies millions. They make great stuff. It is just a shame that the need the need for them exists at all.
There are big bucks to be made here when someoone comes out with consumer friendly VM, engineered to work with older OS/machines [as in up to 2yrs older] J Bo
Virtualization is the future. Get on board now.
Virtualization has been around for years, mainframe some 40
years ago. But Virtualization does not improve performance, it
can't. Because you are sacrificing the computers resources in an
attempt to run either multiple OS (legacies usually), or
attempting to run multiple jumps or tasks. This isn't an
improvement in performance, it is an attempt to improve
organization, in an attempt to save time.
And the consolidation of computers is nice, but why were fools
buying into the server farm (SUN) snow job in the first place.
BUT MOST importantly, Parallelization will displace vitrualization
anyway. With the advent of the multiple core chips,
parallelization software will provide, both a virtualization
platform if desired, but it will also provide a true parallelization
foundational platform, that will take advantage of parallel
processing on the multiple cores.
Go to INTELS home site it's everywhere you look, the discussion
of parallel processing being the future platform. They think
2015, we think in less then two years in products, (every
platform you can think of).
And all the big boys can actually utilize it, that includes CISCO,
in the router, network & security. AMD & INTEL or others in the
CPU's. Microsoft and all others at the application level,
regardless of what OS is involved too.
But everyone did bite into the virtualization bug, because it
made development easier, and anything sounded better then 1
server/ 1 job.
But think about this, both virtulaization and parallelization rely
on the importance of the scheduler. And which would you rather
have working for you, a foundational virtualization platform
scheduler, or a parallel processing foundational scheduler?
Nothing like you have seen offered in the current, but one that
will fully utilize all cores.
And guess what? Those cores can be performing virtualization
task, while also running multiple jobs, I mean multiple jobs/
multi-users, all on the same platform. (If you understand this
concept, you understand the difference between virtualization &
parallelization, and the impact true parallel processing
foundational software will have on the industry).
It's going to get wild, fast and extremely productive real soon,
and there is no limit; because the tube will always get filled,
there will always be more to do.
When you pair VMWare Infra + a vistualization layer on the SAN, this is the easiest and most efficient. When you pair those with dual port Infiniband 10Gb/s as your sole network device, then it really sings. the only ethernet is for OOB management. Even the keyboard/video/mouse is sent over the IB link. Easy, elegant and efficient, what more could you ask for?
Paralellization will COMPLEMENT virtualization, not replace it.
- Amdahl's law....look it up....will be disproved...
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by thecatch
April 24, 2007 12:35 PM PDT
- And I stated, that we do not consider single core processing
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See all 22 Comments >>TRUE PARALLEL PROCESSING, although we are able to effectively
multi task on a single core as well, to the point where we are
able to run concurrent multiple applications, (many).
We are using both the Woodcrest and the new Quad Cores to out
perform a Google Cluster.
And if you want to sit here all day and discuss Parallel
Processing, I would be happy to oblige.
Let me stress this though, we are talking about providing
parallel processing methodology for both Business Enterprise
Software, as well as Massively Parallel Environment Software
Applications.
And my simple point is, that if you have a Parallel Processing
Software Application, that can concurrently execute multiple
application of any origin on the single platform, there will be
less need, if any need at all, to stack virtual machines running
multiple applications. Especially when you consider speed &
performance into the equation. And consolidation will continue,
because as I said two modest servers could run an entire small
company. And a few more could run an enterprise.
So conceive of that, and you see the future, and the significant
difference between Parallelization and Virtualization, apples to
apples.
Virtual Machines will be utilized within the Parallel Processing
Environment, when needed, and in the developmental realm of
operations.
See you when we get there.