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Virtual Infrastructure Overview

Module 2

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You Are Here

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Importance and Module Objectives

• Importance

• Virtualization is a technology that is revolutionizing the computer industry. It is the foundational technology for VMware Infrastructure. This module introduces the topic to students who are new to virtualization.

• Objectives for the learner

• Understand the concept of virtualization

• Identify the differences between host-based virtualization and bare-metal hypervisors

• Identify the benefits of using a virtual machine

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What Is Virtualization?

• Virtualization is a technology that allows you to transform hardware into software.

• Virtualization allows you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single computer.

• Each copy of an operating system is installed into a virtual machine.

• Virtualization is not either of these:

• Simulation

• Emulation

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What Is a Virtual Machine?

• A software platform that, like a physical computer, runs an operating system and applications

• A discrete set of files. These are the main files:

• Configuration file

• Virtual disk file

• File for NVRAM settings

• Log file Virtual Machine

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Benefits of a Virtual Machine

• Difficult to move or copy

• Bound to a specific set of hardware components

• Often has short life cycle

• Requires personal contact to upgrade hardware

Virtual Machine

• Easy to manage

• Isolated from other virtual machines running on the same physical hardware

• Insulated from physical hardware changes

Physical Machine

• Easy to move and copy

• Encapsulated into files

• Independent of physical hardware

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How Does Virtualization Work?

• Allows multiple operating system instances to run concurrently within virtual machines on a single computer

• A virtualization layer is installed. It uses either a hosted or hypervisor architecture.

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Host Operating System-Based Virtualization

A host-based virtualization system requires an operating system (such as Windows or Linux) to be installed on the computer.

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Virtualization Using a Bare-Metal Hypervisor

A bare-metal hypervisor system does not require an operating system. The hypervisor is the operating system.

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ESXi Server Architecture

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VMware Infrastructure Components (1)

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VMware Infrastructure Components (2)

2-13VMware Infrastructure 3: Install and Configure v3.5 Rev BCopyright © 2008 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved.

Questions?