Virtualisation

Virtualisation is a broad term and can be applied to many systems both inside and outside of IT. It describes the ability to break a system into elements and then to simulate and control the interactions between them. Elements can be moved or even changed and the system keeps working. If applied well, this can yield massive advantages for the system design in terms of flexibility.

Virtualisation in the context of IT is actually an extra layer of software* which as you can see in our IT Pyramid, sits between the hardware and traditional software (both operating system and applications). Virtualisation is an optional component but as you explore the various ways in which this technology can be applied you will find it can bring significant advantages which directly contribute to the business imperatives - increasing agility, reducing costs and even reducing risks.

*Note: Our focus within this website is on Industry Standard computers (servers, PC's and laptops) in which virtualisation is invariably implemented through software. In proprietary architectures like Mainframes and Unix based systems, manufacturers have implemented virtualisation technology using both software and hardware. This can provide benefits in terms of performance but reduces mobility of virtual systems across different server models and manufacturers.