Cloud computing and virtualization are two concepts that are difficult to separate. They are similar beasts but distinctive in their own way. Instead of oranges and oranges, think of them as oranges and tangerines. One is about sharing resources while the other is more about sharing space. To understand the diversity of these two critical areas of technology, you must delve deeper into the proper definition of each.
A Little about Virtualization
Virtualization is the creation of a virtual version of something. Let’s break this down. What does it mean to create a virtual version? When you install a hard drive on a computer, you are dealing with one actual component that the company owns. If you partition that hard drive, you create two virtual devices out of one piece of hardware.
That is the basis behind virtualization. You are taking one thing and making it more. Network virtualization means splitting the bandwidth to create channels. Storage virtualization splits one storage component into several that remain managed by one system. A virtual server breaks one server resource apart to create a number of distinct servers.
A Little about Cloud Computing
You might say cloud computing is a direct descendant of virtualization. You only need one phrase to understand the difference, however –“as a service.” Cloud computing is the sharing of resources to increase capacity. Working in the cloud means utilizing a pay-per-use or subscription system to gain access to a resource like an application.
A cloud computing company takes one thing and makes it available to multiple clients via the Internet. They use a multitenant architecture to lease the resource. This way companies can live outside their means, so to speak. A start up business gets access to progressive applications that they could not afford to buy by working in the cloud.
So, how are they Different?
Cloud computing is a much broader term than virtualization. Technically speaking, cloud computing is taking virtualization to the next level using a multi tenancy format. If you think of the old joke what came first – the chicken or the egg and put a tech spin on it, you are coming close to understanding how virtualization and cloud computing differ.
Virtualization came first. It is the pioneer –the stepping stone that led to cloud computing, but like any good child, cloud technology outgrew its parent.
How are they the same?
Like parent and child, the two technologies have similarities. They are both about making more out of something. When you split a hard drive, you create two where there was just one. Cloud computing expands on that practice, but as a service. They have similar goals – like scalability – but virtualization is more of a singular enterprise.
They Same but Different
You might say the biggest difference between these two concepts is the end game.
Virtualization allows companies to expand automation and increase computing power.
Cloud computing is more about creating opportunities where they might not otherwise exist like access to applications or offsite storage.
Virtualization optimizes one piece of hardware to reduce maintenance and improve performance.
Cloud computing gives many people access to one application in order to stretch its capacity from product to service. It is a moneymaking enterprise.
The form of expansion each business needs depends on what they hope to accomplish. If the goal is to stretch a piece of hardware out and get more from it, chances are virtualization is the right choice. If the desire is to gain access to an application or service you don’t already have, you are looking for a cloud alternative.
Author Bio: Alan McMahon works for Dell and is involved in marketing consumer and enterprise solutions, across a range for products from tablet pc’s, servers, and storage to virtualization. Alan McMahon is based in Ireland and enjoys sailing as a past time.
