What is virtualisation?
Virtualisation makes it possible to launch isolated workspaces on any compatible device, which is a virtual computing environment that optimises performance and system resources.
The physical device is known as the host (it can be native or hosted), and is responsible for hosting the virtualised resources, known as virtual machines (or VMs).
These virtual machines are the heart of virtualisation and simulate a physical system in software format. Another fundamental element is the hypervisors, responsible for creating the virtualisation layer and coordinating the virtual machines.
What is cloud computing?
On the other hand, cloud computing can be understood as the possibility of making computing resources available in a simple, flexible and secure way thanks to connectivity.
In short, it makes it possible to rent information technologies instead of buying them, which means not having to invest a large budget in databases, software and equipment, by accessing the services required by the provider company via the Internet.
As there are three types or forms of cloud (public, private or hybrid), it greatly helps the digital transformation of companies by avoiding large investments in infrastructure, specialised personnel or software licences.
It also improves accessibility conditions and allows for greater collaboration, as well as eliminating problems and costs in security maintenance.
Differences between virtualisation and cloud computing
As we have seen in the definition of each of these technological concepts, we can see that they are relatively similar, since both are used by companies to provide flexibility and scalability in their IT departments.
But how do they differ?
In essence, we could summarise it in that virtualisation is the infrastructure that underpins cloud computing, this technology being the provision of shared services through virtualised environments.
To make it even clearer: cloud computing offers services via the internet, while virtualisation is the tool that uses cloud computing to provide these services, in both cases seeking to optimise resources.
Advantages of virtualisation and cloud computing
As we have already seen, although similar, cloud computing and virtualisation are not the same thing and each of these technologies has a series of advantages. Let’s see what they are.
Benefits of virtualisation:
- Significant reduction in operating costs.
- Serves as a protective barrier against possible attacks, thus improving security.
- Offers agility in implementing different software solutions and applications.
- Improves hardware performance also generating positive effects on both flexibility and efficiency.
Benefits of cloud computing:
- Storage capacity. With optimised storage capacity, there is no need to invest in hardware upgrades.
- Users benefit from technology that is always optimised and up to date.
- Scalability. Resources can be used by companies when they are needed.
Conclusion
Although they are concepts that allude to similar issues, as we have broken down throughout the article, they are not the same. We could summarise it by saying that virtualisation is the basis of cloud computing by allowing, through software, the creation of a layer on the system hardware that divides its elements into virtual systems for a more flexible and efficient use of the physical hardware.
