Virtualization, like cloud computing, is not an easy idea to grasp. What makes it even more confusing is that the term is very broad and there are many different definitions and types of virtualization technologies out there.

The most basic idea behind virtualization, as defined by outervillage.com is:

“… a technique for hiding the physical characteristics of computing resources in a way in which other systems, applications, or end users interact with those resources.”

 

 

 

 

Wikipedia calls it the “abstraction of computer resources” and lists 4 main types of virtualization technologies:

• Platform virtualization
• Resource virtualization
• Application virtualization
• Desktop virtualization

Through the use of hypervisor technology a single physical machine can run multiple operating systems simultaneously. So that each new os that you install becomes its own virtual machine that runs on top of your first os.

This is different from a dual boot in that you don’t have to choose between the operating systems, you can run them and use them all at the same time.

Besides being very cool, virtualization has many benefits which can prove to be especially useful in a library setting. The best part is that the user sees no difference between a physical or a virtual machine, since it looks and feels the same.

But one of the biggest improvements comes through better resource utilization. Think about it, you can have 4 or 5 virtual machines running on a single box; so that librarians, library staff and even patrons who want to use Windows Vista, XP, Leopard or anything else can do so quickly and easily.

This also becomes an important improvement in flexibility of the hardware providing end users with their own personal desktop environments, and at the same time eliminating the need for retraining.

Another option is to have a data center centralize the virtual desktops so that they are easy to manage and make changes to. This might be a good solution for a library network or a large library, saving time for IT administrators and reducing inevitable downtime during updates, upgrades and such.

Although I didn’t find any information about libraries using virtualization, I think as the technology become more popular, libraries will be able to find good ways to utilize it.

If any of you do find any information or articles about virtualization in the library please let me know, I’d love to read about it.

Further Reading

    •     Virtualization — Wikipedia

    •     ZDNet Definition for: Virtualization

    •     Gartner Identifies the Top 10 Strategic Technologies for 2008

    •     Virtualization Advantages & Disadvantages — outervillage.com

|   originally posted on my classes.tametheweb.com blog   |