Virtualization Resources for System Administrators
Karen Perkins, last updated on 2009-09-01
The term virtualization has been around for a long time, and it's used in various ways.
Wikipedia* provides the following definition, which is how the term
is typically used in computing environments:
"In computing, virtualization is a broad term that refers to the abstraction of computer resources."
This abstraction or hiding of physical characteristics leads to various scenarios, such as:
One physical resource looking like a logical resource that has different characteristics than the physical resource
One physical resource looking like multiple logical resources
Multiple physical resources looking like one logical resource
As a result, there are many different types of virtualization, such as server virtualization,
OS virtualization, and storage virtualization. But they all aim to increase resource utilization,
reduce operating costs, and build an agile IT infrastructure that is better able to support critical business needs.
Why Virtualize?
Virtualization is an ideal way to check out new technologies or test user experiences
on a range of client platforms, from a single PC. In addition, it can secure your data, simplify compliance, and mitigate risk.
And it saves money, energy, and data center space.
For more good reasons to virtualize, check out these resources:
NewMain Sun virtualization page, which provides links to resources, such as white papers, Sun BluePrints, virtualization news, videos, and more
Virtualization Learning Center, which provides
links to information about virtualization options with the Solaris OS, Sun's virtualization roadmap, how-to guides, and white papers
NewVirtualize Your Datacenter to Optimize Your
Business page, which provides links to success stories and the "How We Did It" video, which describes how Sun implemented virtualization to create
its own energy-efficient datacenter
NewVirtualization products and services page, which provides
details on Sun's virtualization solutions--the industry's broadest range of open, scalable virtualization products and services, from desktop to
server to storage
NewMultimedia web page, which provides access to videos, demos, and webcasts that
discuss the benefits of Sun virtualization
How Much Virtualization Can Save You?
To quantify your potential savings, use the following resources:
New Energy Estimator, SWaP (Space, Watts, and Performance) Metric, and Power Calculator on the
Configuration Tools web page
Sun Eco Innovation: Good for Bushiness, Good for the Environment,
which describes a virtualization solution that overcomes power and space limitations by reducing power and cooling requirements and systems footprint,
while improving system utilization, compute capacity, and security
Sun Virtualization Technologies and Products
Sun offers a range of virtualization technologies, from simple resource management to full electrical isolation between multiple operating
system instances. For example:
Solaris Containers (Zone plus Resource Control), which enable OS virtualization
capabilities on any SPARC or x86 system that is running the Solaris 10 OS. Solaris Containers now provide additional capabilities for running
Solaris 8 applications (through Solaris 8 Containers), Solaris 9 applications (through Solaris 9 Containers), and Linux applications
(through Solaris Containers for Linux Applications). For example, Solaris Containers enable you to upgrade to the Solaris 10 OS from
the Solaris 8 or 9 OS or Linux even if you are running applications that cannot be ported to the Solaris 10 OS.
See the Solaris Containers and Zones section of this web site
for more information.
Logical Domains (LDoms), which enable
server virtualization capabilities on
Sun servers with CoolThreads technology.
Each LDom represents a virtual system (sun4v) with its own kernel, network interface, disks,
MAC address, IP address, host name, name service, locale, and time zone. See the
Logical Domains (LDoms) section of this web site for more information.
Dynamic Reconfiguration and Dynamic System Domains, which provide
fault-isolated, flexible partitions that allow you to run multiple applications and multiple copies of the Solaris OS on a single SPARC or
Sun Fire server. Each domain on a server represents a system with its own kernel, network interface, disks, I/O, MAC address, IP address,
host name, name service, locale, and time zone.
Sun xVM portfolio, which addresses virtualization needs from the desktop to the datacenter through Sun Ops Center, Sun xVM VirtualBox, and Sun VDI Software. See the Sun xVM Portfolio section of this web site for more information.
New The Get Started web page provides
links to free software downloads, ways to try virtualization risk-free, and special offers. It also shows how to join a community,
participate in a virtualization workshop to scope your specific needs, and access virtualization blogs.
New Want an easy read on Sun and AMD virtualization technologies? The amusing and informative
Virtualization for Dummies booklet (requires registration) is now available.
New If you'd like some help, check out the Sun Virtualization Suite of Services web page,
which describes the Sun virtualization suite of services and provides answers to common virtualization questions in the "Did You Know" Q&A.
Solaris Virtualization Technologies, for information about
Solaris virtualization technologies, such as Solaris Containers and Logical Domains (LDOMs)
Sun xVM Portfolio for information about the Sun xVM portfolio and its components: Sun Ops Center, Sun xVM VirtualBox, and Sun Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Software
