1. Introduction

a. What is Virtualization?

Virtualization is an emerging IT paradigm that separates computing functions and technology implementations from physical hardware. It enables single computer controlling multiple machines, or one operating system utilizing multiple computers to analyze a database.

Virtualization may also be used for running multiple applications on each server rather than just one; this in turn reduces the number of servers companies need to purchase and manage. It enables you to consolidate your servers and do more with less hardware. It also lets you support more users per piece of hardware, deliver applications, and run applications faster.

 

b. What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is a technology which uses Internet and central servers to provide computation, software, data access and storage. End user does not require any knowledge of the physical location and configuration of the system that delivers the services.

With cloud computing, user can perform routine computer tasks anywhere, at any time, without installing applications. All users need a computer with operating system installed, connection to the Internet and a compatible web browser.

In recent time smaller form of computers called notebooks have become extremely popular. Notebooks are small in size and high battery life because computing is less and ideal to use cloud computing services. Similarly, mobile phones are gaining computational power and fast becoming another cloud computing client.

 

c. Difference between Virtualization and cloud computing

1. Virtualization provides flexibility that is required for cloud computing. Cloud computing can be defined based on the virtual machines created with virtualization. Virtualization is not always necessary in cloud computing; however, you can use it as the basis.

2. Cloud computing is an approach for the delivery of services while virtualization is one possible service that could be delivered.

3. Large companies that have high download speed and high security as their main requirement finds virtualization as the best option. Smaller companies focus more on their mission while leaving all IT chores to be done by others by using cloud computing.

4. Another differentiation may be the areas of self-provisioning, granular billing/charge back and APIs. Cloud was implemented more of an outsourced/hosted model first and then slowly being adopted within the enterprise firewall as an architecture. Virtualization on the other hand was started within the boundaries of enterprise firewall and then was utilized in hosted environments.

Even if there are differences and similarities many in the industry use them interchangeably