What Is Virtualization
In regards to computers and technology
Virtualization means to create a virtual replica of a computer device or network resource. Examples of this would be a virtual server, data storage, network or even an entire operating system for your PC’s, where the framework divides the resource into one or more environments. Even something as simple as partitioning a hard drive is considered virtualization because you take one drive and partition it to create two separate or “Virtual” hard drives. PC’s, software applications and users are able to interact and access the virtual resource as if it were a real single logical (physical) resource.
The term virtualization is being used more often these days around the IT community, and as a result the term is being associated with various IT technologies including storage devices, servers for centralized data, OS environements, networks and application execution.