Benefits Of Computer Virtualization

Mark Holtzer

Ms. June West

IST 257

13 April 2014

Computer Virtualization

Many people and businesses do not have enough money to buy hardware for every single instance of an operating system that they need. It is cheaper to buy high performance hardware for one computer and then run several operating systems on one machine. To do this, virtual machines are necessary. Virtualization is vital for people and companies that need to run multiple operating systems economically.

A virtual machine is a simulated computer that runs on a physical computer, the host. For example, a host computer running windows 7 would be able to open a virtual machine or machines acting as their own computers. These virtual machines can be running the same or different operating systems and can be allocated different amounts of the physical computers hardware. Virtual machines still have the same minimum system requirements as physical computers so it is important to have a powerful host computer (Angeles).

Virtual technology is important because it allows users and companies to efficiently run multiple computers. Virtualization has different benefits for different markets. For home users, virtualization allows people to run a virtual machine as a quasi-sandbox, or a contained operating system, of their computer in order to test new software, different settings, and to check for reliability with each. It is better to do this in a virtual machine because a backup can be made of the machine before testing. That way, if something goes wrong a user can simply delete the corrupted virtual machine and start over. With a physical computer, it would require a hard drive format and a reinstallation of the operating system. Another benefit to a home user is the a...

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...h mac and android, giving access to virtually any device that may need it. Horizon’s blast performance brings many useful features such as 3d graphics, high quality media streaming, touch screen support, the ability to use local resources and more (Horizon with View). DISADVANTAGES?!

Citrix’s XenDesktop is a more customizable solution for desktop virtualizing than Horizon with View. It is similar in that it has the ability to virtualize 3d graphics, can be used on desktops or mobile devices, and that it centralizes management. Beyond this, it provides support for adding contractors and partners access to various features of XenDesktop and allows devices that users bring from home access. Another stand out feature of XenDesktop is that it allows for offline client virtualization. This means that users can still access their desktops when not connected to a network.