In virtualization, IT virtualisation refers to the process of building a virtual version of an item, including virtual hardware platforms, virtual storage devices, computer networks, and other computer system resources. The virtual arrangements of IT items are then made available to users within the organization.
The concept of IT virtualisation is straightforward in principle, but complex in its implementation. Since the users of an IT resource are not in the physical location of that resource, it necessitates a wide variety of techniques and applications that are necessary to allow users to interact with the IT virtualized items. The infrastructure of the IT virtualisation must be well established, especially the IT virtualisation software that provides the interface to the users, allowing them to interact with the resource and to gain access to their resources.
The IT virtualisation software has to be highly flexible so that users can make modifications as needed. The software needs to be designed in such a way that it does not hinder the smooth functioning of the organization as a whole and that it can adapt to changes in the organization. The IT virtualisation software needs to be highly customizable, which means that it should be able to provide the users with IT virtualized software that can be customized to meet their needs.
In IT virtualisation, the users of the IT resources will need to install and use the software. They will need to learn how to use it and to configure the software so that they can create their virtual versions of IT resources in the form of data and files that they want to store. These data and files must be stored on the IT virtualized IT resources that they are using.
Besides, the data and files they hold in their IT virtualized resources should be safe from unauthorized access by others. For example, users of these resources may need to store confidential data and files that are only meant to be accessed by authorized individuals in the organization.
An IT manager needs to understand that IT virtualisation requires the integration of the virtualization software with the virtualized IT hardware and software. The software and hardware used in IT virtualisation must be in sync and not interfere with each other. The software and hardware used in IT virtualisation should also be flexible enough to allow IT administrators to quickly make changes to their IT resources as well as to enable IT, administrators, to make quick adjustments to their IT resources when they need to.
An IT manager needs to understand that IT virtualisation is different from IT partitioning in the sense that partitioning is a process that separates resources, such as computers, from one another. Partitioning creates a physical environment where specific physical computers can be used and that are known as “users”. With IT virtualisation, all computers are considered as a single unit, and they share the same hardware and the same software and the same resources that are shared between the users.
