Post #2: Virtualization in libraries
Virtualization, like cloud computing, is not an easy idea to grasp. What makes it even more confusing is that the term is very broad and there are many different definitions and types of virtualization technologies out there.
The most basic idea behind virtualization, as defined by outervillage.com is:
“… a technique for hiding the physical characteristics of computing resources in a way in which other systems, applications, or end users interact with those resources.”
Wikipedia calls it the “abstraction of computer resources” and lists 4 main types of virtualization technologies:
- Platform virtualization
- Resource virtualization
- Application virtualization
- Desktop virtualization
Through the use of hypervisor technology a single physical machine can run multiple operating systems simultaneously. So that each new os that you install becomes its own virtual machine that runs on top of your first os.