2. What Is Virtualization?

This can be a difficult concept to visualize.  Essentially, it is a method of taking a  physical entity, such as a server or workstation, and translating it into an independent logical entity that operates inside a larger, managed hardware environment, but where it is not dependent on that hardware to the same extent as it was on a physical computer.

Each virtualized server (or workstation) still has the appearance and functionality of the original computer in every way just as it did on the original dedicated machine.  You can log onto it, manage properties, reboot it etc.   Users on the network will not be able to see any difference, except it is now a “Virtual Machine”.

Once a server has been “virtualized”, it’s existence is now equivalent to just a file and can be relocated to almost any piece of hardware you please.  So if your “host machine” has a hardware failure, you can simply move the “Virtual Machine” to another host and users will not be the wiser – but for the small amount of down time needed to bring the VM up on an alternate host.