☁️Types of Virtualization in Cloud
Computing
(With simple examples and long definitions)
✅ 1. Hardware Virtualization
🔹 Definition:
Hardware virtualization means creating virtual machines (VMs) using a hypervisor that
runs directly on a physical machine (server). It allows multiple operating systems to run on a
single physical machine.
In simple words: One big physical machine is divided into many small "virtual computers."
🔹 Example:
Using VMware or VirtualBox to create virtual machines (like Windows, Linux) on
your laptop.
🔹 Used for:
Cloud servers, data centers, and testing environments.
✅ 2. Operating System (OS) Virtualization
🔹 Definition:
OS virtualization allows multiple isolated user environments (containers) to run on a
single operating system. These environments share the same OS kernel.
In simple words: One operating system runs many small “boxes” called containers, each with
its own software.
🔹 Example:
Docker, LXC (Linux Containers)
🔹 Used for:
Application development, microservices, and DevOps.
✅ 3. Server Virtualization
🔹 Definition:
Server virtualization is when one physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers.
Each virtual server behaves like a real server and can run its own OS and apps.
In simple words: One real server behaves like many small servers.
🔹 Example:
Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware ESXi
🔹 Used for:
Efficient server usage, reducing hardware costs, and hosting multiple applications.
✅ 4. Storage Virtualization
🔹 Definition:
Storage virtualization combines multiple physical storage devices (like hard drives or
SSDs) into one virtual storage pool that users and apps can access easily.
In simple words: Many hard drives are joined to act like one large storage space.
🔹 Example:
SAN (Storage Area Network), NAS (Network Attached Storage)
🔹 Used for:
Backup solutions, large data storage systems.
✅ 5. Network Virtualization
🔹 Definition:
Network virtualization allows the creation of virtual networks that run on top of the
physical network. It combines multiple network resources into one software-based network.
In simple words: A fake (virtual) network is created on top of real network hardware.
🔹 Example:
VLAN (Virtual LAN), SDN (Software Defined Networking)
🔹 Used for:
Secure, scalable, and efficient networking in cloud environments.
✅ 6. Desktop Virtualization
🔹 Definition:
In desktop virtualization, a user’s desktop environment (OS + apps) is stored and run on a
central server, not on the user’s local computer. Users can access it remotely.
In simple words: Your computer screen comes from the internet, not from your own laptop.
🔹 Example:
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Citrix, Amazon WorkSpaces
🔹 Used for:
Work-from-home setups, secure remote access, and business environments.
✅ 7. Application Virtualization
🔹 Definition:
Application virtualization allows apps to run without being installed directly on the user’s
device. The app runs on a server and only the user interface is sent to the device.
In simple words: The app is running somewhere else, but you can still use it on your screen.
🔹 Example:
Microsoft App-V, VMware ThinApp
🔹 Used for:
Testing apps, reducing software conflicts, running legacy applications.
📌 Summary Table of Virtualization Types
