Unit-2

Introduction to virtualization technologies in cloud computing

Virtualization technologies play a crucial role in cloud computing by enabling the

efficient use of physical hardware resources and the creation of virtual instances. These
technologies facilitate the scalability, isolation, and resource management that are
essential for cloud environments. Here are some of the key virtualization technologies
commonly used in cloud computing:

1. Hypervisor-Based Virtualization:
 Type 1 Hypervisor: This is a bare-metal hypervisor that runs directly on the
physical hardware, without the need for an underlying operating system. It allows
multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run independently on the same hardware.
Examples of Type 1 hypervisors include VMware vSphere/ESXi, Microsoft
Hyper-V, and Xen.
 Type 2 Hypervisor: Type 2 hypervisors run on top of an existing operating
system and create VMs as user-level processes. They are typically used for local
development and testing. Examples include VMware Workstation, VirtualBox,
and Parallels Desktop.
2. Containerization:
 Containers are lightweight, portable, and isolated execution environments for
applications and their dependencies. They share the host operating system's
kernel, making them more efficient and faster to start compared to VMs. Docker
is one of the most popular containerization technologies, and it's commonly used
with container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes.
3. Kubernetes:
 While Kubernetes itself is not a virtualization technology, it is a powerful
container orchestration platform used in cloud computing. Kubernetes manages
and automates the deployment, scaling, and operation of containerized
applications across clusters of hosts.
4. OpenStack:
 OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform that provides
infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) capabilities. It includes various components for
virtualization, such as Nova for compute, Neutron for networking, and Cinder for
storage. OpenStack allows organizations to build and manage private and public
cloud infrastructure.
5. Serverless Computing:
 Serverless computing is not a virtualization technology in the traditional sense,
but it allows developers to run code without managing the underlying
infrastructure. Cloud providers like AWS Lambda and Azure Functions use
serverless platforms to execute code in response to events, automatically scaling
as needed.
6. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI):
  VDI technology virtualizes desktop environments and runs them on centralized
servers in data centers. Users access their virtual desktops remotely, making it
easier to manage and secure desktop computing in a cloud environment.
7. Nested Virtualization:
 Nested virtualization allows running virtual machines within virtual machines. This
is often used for testing and development environments.
8. Bare-Metal Virtualization:
 Bare-metal virtualization allows for the creation of virtual machines directly on the
physical hardware without the need for an underlying operating system. It's
particularly useful for high-performance workloads.

Load balancing and virtualization

Load balancing and virtualization are two critical components in cloud computing that
work together to optimize resource utilization, enhance application performance, and
ensure high availability. Let's explore how load balancing and virtualization are
interconnected in cloud computing:

Load Balancing:

Load balancing is the practice of distributing network traffic or application workloads

across multiple servers or resources to ensure efficient resource utilization, high
availability, and improved response times. Load balancers come in various forms,
including hardware appliances and software solutions. In cloud computing, load
balancing is essential to handle the varying demands of applications and services.

Virtualization:

Virtualization, as discussed earlier, involves creating multiple virtual instances (virtual

machines or containers) on a single physical server or set of servers. Virtualization
allows for the efficient use of hardware resources by running multiple isolated
environments on the same physical infrastructure. This technology is fundamental in
cloud computing because it provides flexibility, scalability, and resource isolation.

Load Balancing in Virtualized Cloud Environments:

Load balancing and virtualization are tightly integrated in cloud computing for several
reasons:
1. Resource Distribution: Load balancers distribute incoming traffic across a pool of
virtual machines or containers. This ensures that each virtual instance is used optimally,
preventing resource overutilization or underutilization.
2. Scalability: In cloud environments, virtual instances can be quickly provisioned or
deprovisioned to accommodate changes in demand. Load balancers automatically
adjust to these changes, ensuring a balanced distribution of traffic.
3. High Availability: Load balancers can be configured to route traffic to healthy virtual
instances. In the event of a virtual machine or container failure, the load balancer can
redirect traffic to healthy instances, minimizing service interruptions.
4. Performance Optimization: Load balancers can take into account various factors,
such as server response times, to direct traffic to the most responsive virtual instances.
This enhances application performance and user experience.
5. Session Persistence: Load balancers can ensure session continuity by directing
subsequent requests from the same client to the same virtual instance. This is important
for applications that require consistent user sessions.
6. Security: Load balancers can help protect the underlying virtual instances by hiding
their IP addresses from external traffic. This adds an additional layer of security.
7. Global Load Balancing: Some cloud providers offer global load balancing services that
distribute traffic across multiple data centers or regions, enhancing fault tolerance and
global application delivery.

Combining virtualization and load balancing in a cloud environment allows organizations

to efficiently utilize hardware resources, maintain high availability, and optimize the
performance of applications and services. It is a fundamental strategy for ensuring the
success of cloud-based applications, particularly when dealing with variable workloads
and traffic patterns.

Hypervision
A hypervisor is a form of virtualization software used in Cloud hosting to divide and
allocate the resources on various pieces of hardware. The program which provides
partitioning, isolation, or abstraction is called a virtualization hypervisor. The
hypervisor is a hardware virtualization technique that allows multiple guest operating
systems (OS) to run on a single host system at the same time. A hypervisor is
sometimes also called a virtual machine manager(VMM).

Types of Hypervisor –
TYPE-1 Hypervisor:
The hypervisor runs directly on the underlying host system. It is also known as a
“Native Hypervisor” or “Bare metal hypervisor”. It does not require any base server
operating system. It has direct access to hardware resources. Examples of Type 1
 hypervisors include VMware ESXi, Citrix XenServer, and Microsoft Hyper-V
hypervisor.

TYPE-2 Hypervisor:
A Host operating system runs on the underlying host system. It is also known as
‘Hosted Hypervisor”. Such kind of hypervisors doesn’t run directly over the underlying
hardware rather they run as an application in a Host system(physical machine).
Basically, the software is installed on an operating system. Hypervisor asks the
operating system to make hardware calls. An example of a Type 2 hypervisor includes
VMware Player or Parallels Desktop. Hosted hypervisors are often found on endpoints
like PCs. The type-2 hypervisor is very useful for engineers, and security analysts (for
checking malware, or malicious source code and newly developed applications).

virtual machine provisioning and manageablity in cloud computing

Virtual machine (VM) provisioning and manageability are critical aspects of cloud
computing, as they enable the efficient deployment, management, and scaling of
virtualized resources. Let's delve into these concepts in more detail:

Virtual Machine Provisioning:

VM provisioning refers to the process of creating and configuring virtual machines in a

cloud environment. This is a fundamental step in making cloud resources available to
users. Here are some key considerations in VM provisioning:

1. Resource Allocation: When provisioning VMs, cloud administrators or users must

specify the amount of CPU, memory, storage, and network resources required for each
VM. This allocation should align with the workload's performance and capacity needs.
2. Image Selection: VMs are typically created from a pre-defined image or template that
includes the operating system, software stack, and configuration settings. Users can
choose from a library of images based on their application requirements.
3. Networking: VMs need network connectivity. Provisioning includes defining network
configurations, such as IP addresses, subnets, security groups, and firewall rules.
4. Storage: VMs require storage resources for their operating systems, applications, and
data. Cloud providers offer various storage options, including block storage and object
storage, for VMs.
5. Scalability: VM provisioning can be done manually or through automation. Cloud users
can use autoscaling features to automatically add or remove VMs based on workload
demands.

Virtual Machine Manageability:

 VM manageability involves ongoing tasks related to monitoring, maintenance, and
optimization of virtual machines to ensure their efficient and reliable operation. Here are
some key aspects of VM manageability in cloud computing:

1. Monitoring and Logging: Cloud providers offer tools and services for monitoring VM
performance, resource utilization, and health. Logs and metrics can be collected to gain
insights into VM behavior and troubleshoot issues.
2. Security and Access Control: VMs need to be secured against unauthorized access
and potential threats. Access control policies, security groups, and firewalls are used to
control who can access VMs and what traffic is allowed.
3. Updates and Patch Management: Keeping VMs up to date with the latest security
patches and software updates is crucial for maintaining security and performance.
Automated patch management solutions help streamline this process.
4. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Regular backups of VM data and configurations are
essential to recover from data loss or unexpected failures. Cloud providers often offer
backup and disaster recovery services.
5. Scaling and Load Balancing: VMs can be scaled horizontally or vertically to meet
changing demand. Load balancers distribute traffic across multiple VMs to ensure high
availability and even resource utilization.
6. Cost Optimization: VM usage and costs should be monitored to optimize cloud
spending. Unused or underutilized VMs can be identified and decommissioned to
reduce expenses.
7. Auto Scaling: Auto scaling policies can be defined to automatically adjust the number
of VM instances in response to changes in demand, ensuring efficient resource
utilization.
8. Resource Tagging: Assigning metadata tags to VMs helps in tracking costs, managing
resources, and organizing VMs based on their purpose or owner.

virtual machine provisioning and manageablity in cloud computing

Virtual machine (VM) provisioning and manageability are critical aspects of cloud
computing, as they enable the efficient deployment, management, and scaling of
virtualized resources. Let's delve into these concepts in more detail:

Virtual Machine Provisioning:

VM provisioning refers to the process of creating and configuring virtual machines in a

cloud environment. This is a fundamental step in making cloud resources available to
users. Here are some key considerations in VM provisioning:

1. Resource Allocation: When provisioning VMs, cloud administrators or users must

specify the amount of CPU, memory, storage, and network resources required for each
VM. This allocation should align with the workload's performance and capacity needs.
2. Image Selection: VMs are typically created from a pre-defined image or template that
includes the operating system, software stack, and configuration settings. Users can
choose from a library of images based on their application requirements.
3. Networking: VMs need network connectivity. Provisioning includes defining network
configurations, such as IP addresses, subnets, security groups, and firewall rules.
4. Storage: VMs require storage resources for their operating systems, applications, and
data. Cloud providers offer various storage options, including block storage and object
storage, for VMs.
5. Scalability: VM provisioning can be done manually or through automation. Cloud users
can use autoscaling features to automatically add or remove VMs based on workload
demands.

Virtual Machine Manageability:

VM manageability involves ongoing tasks related to monitoring, maintenance, and

optimization of virtual machines to ensure their efficient and reliable operation. Here are
some key aspects of VM manageability in cloud computing:

1. Monitoring and Logging: Cloud providers offer tools and services for monitoring VM
performance, resource utilization, and health. Logs and metrics can be collected to gain
insights into VM behavior and troubleshoot issues.
2. Security and Access Control: VMs need to be secured against unauthorized access
and potential threats. Access control policies, security groups, and firewalls are used to
control who can access VMs and what traffic is allowed.
3. Updates and Patch Management: Keeping VMs up to date with the latest security
patches and software updates is crucial for maintaining security and performance.
Automated patch management solutions help streamline this process.
4. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Regular backups of VM data and configurations are
essential to recover from data loss or unexpected failures. Cloud providers often offer
backup and disaster recovery services.
5. Scaling and Load Balancing: VMs can be scaled horizontally or vertically to meet
changing demand. Load balancers distribute traffic across multiple VMs to ensure high
availability and even resource utilization.
6. Cost Optimization: VM usage and costs should be monitored to optimize cloud
spending. Unused or underutilized VMs can be identified and decommissioned to
reduce expenses.
7. Auto Scaling: Auto scaling policies can be defined to automatically adjust the number
of VM instances in response to changes in demand, ensuring efficient resource
utilization.
8. Resource Tagging: Assigning metadata tags to VMs helps in tracking costs, managing
resources, and organizing VMs based on their purpose or owner.

Provisioning in the context of cloud computing refers to the process of allocating and
configuring computing resources, such as virtual machines (VMs), storage, and
networking, to meet the requirements of applications and workloads. This provisioning
process is a fundamental part of cloud services and plays a crucial role in enabling
scalability, flexibility, and rapid deployment of resources in cloud environments. Here's
an overview of provisioning in the cloud context:
 Key Aspects of Provisioning in Cloud Computing:

1. Resource Allocation: When provisioning resources in the cloud, you specify the type
and quantity of resources needed for your applications. This includes selecting the size
of VMs, the amount of storage, and network configurations.
2. Self-Service: Cloud providers typically offer self-service portals and APIs that allow
users to request and provision resources on-demand. This enables users to quickly
scale their infrastructure as needed, reducing the need for manual intervention.
3. Elasticity: Cloud provisioning is designed to be elastic, meaning that resources can be
dynamically scaled up or down to handle varying workloads. This automatic scaling
helps optimize resource usage and cost-efficiency.
4. Templates and Images: Cloud providers often offer pre-configured templates or
images that include operating systems and software stacks. Users can choose from
these templates to expedite the provisioning process.
5. Automation: Infrastructure as code (IaC) and automation tools, such as Terraform and
AWS CloudFormation, allow you to define resource configurations in code and
automate the provisioning and management of resources. This is particularly useful for
complex environments and deployments.
6. Orchestration: Orchestration tools, like Kubernetes, enable the automated deployment
and management of applications and their associated resources across multiple VMs or
containers.
7. Networking and Security: Provisioning in the cloud includes defining network
configurations, security groups, access control policies, and other networking-related
settings to ensure the resources are properly connected and secured.
8. Cost Monitoring and Management: Cloud providers offer tools and dashboards to
monitor resource usage and associated costs. This helps organizations track spending
and optimize resource allocation.
9. Service-Level Agreements (SLAs): Cloud providers offer SLAs that specify the
expected availability, performance, and support for the provisioned resources.
Understanding these SLAs is crucial for meeting the service requirements of your
applications.

Provisioning Examples:

 Virtual Machines (VMs): Users can provision VMs with specific CPU, memory, and
storage configurations, selecting from various operating system options.
 Containers: Containers, which provide lightweight and isolated runtime environments,
can be provisioned with specific container images, network settings, and resource
constraints.
 Storage: Cloud users can provision block storage, file storage, and object storage to
store data and files. They can configure storage size, performance levels, and access
controls.
 Databases: Cloud databases can be provisioned with specified database engines,
performance levels, and storage requirements. Users can select from managed
database services or deploy their database instances.
 Load Balancers: Load balancers can be provisioned to distribute incoming traffic
across multiple VMs or containers to ensure high availability and optimal performance.
 Content Delivery: Content delivery networks (CDNs) can be provisioned to cache and
deliver content globally, improving content delivery speed and reliability.
 Network Resources: Networking resources, such as virtual networks, subnets, and
security groups, can be provisioned to connect resources and enforce security policies.

virtualization of cpu, memory,i/o devices in cloud computing

Virtualization of CPU, memory, and I/O devices are fundamental aspects of cloud
computing and virtualization environments. These technologies enable efficient sharing
and allocation of hardware resources to create virtualized computing environments,
which are central to cloud infrastructure. Here's an overview of how CPU, memory, and
I/O device virtualization work in the context of cloud computing:

1. CPU Virtualization:

What is it: CPU virtualization allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single
physical server while sharing the underlying physical CPUs. Each VM is allocated a
virtual CPU (vCPU), which is an abstract representation of the physical CPU core or
thread.

Key Concepts:

 Hypervisor: A hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine monitor (VMM), is

responsible for managing CPU virtualization. It schedules and allocates vCPUs to the
physical CPUs, ensuring isolation and resource allocation.
 vCPUs: Virtual CPUs represent the processing power of the physical CPU. The
hypervisor schedules vCPUs to run on physical CPUs, giving each VM its turn to
execute instructions.
 Scheduling: The hypervisor uses scheduling algorithms to determine which VM's vCPU
gets access to the physical CPU resources. This ensures fair allocation of CPU time
and prevents one VM from monopolizing the CPU.
 Isolation: CPU virtualization ensures that VMs are isolated from one another,
preventing one VM from affecting the performance or security of others.

2. Memory Virtualization:

What is it: Memory virtualization allows multiple VMs to share the physical memory
(RAM) of a host server. Each VM is allocated a portion of the available physical
memory.

Key Concepts:
 Hypervisor: Like CPU virtualization, the hypervisor manages memory allocation,
ensuring that each VM's memory is isolated and that memory is used efficiently.
 Memory Ballooning: Memory ballooning is a technique that enables the hypervisor to
reclaim memory from VMs when it is not actively being used by the VM. This memory
can be allocated to other VMs with higher demand.
 Overcommitment: Overcommitment of memory allows the allocation of more memory
to VMs than is physically available. This is possible because VMs often do not use their
entire allocated memory simultaneously.

3. I/O Device Virtualization:

What is it: I/O device virtualization involves sharing and managing input/output devices,
such as network adapters, storage controllers, and graphics cards, among multiple
VMs. It ensures that each VM can interact with these devices without conflicts.

Key Concepts:

 Device Drivers: Virtualized I/O devices typically require device drivers to be installed
within the guest operating system of VMs. These drivers facilitate communication
between the VMs and the physical devices.
 Pass-Through: Some virtualization platforms support device pass-through, allowing
VMs to directly access physical I/O devices. This can provide low-latency and high-
performance access to specific devices.
 I/O Resource Management: I/O device virtualization includes resource management to
prevent contention and ensure fair allocation of I/O resources among VMs.

virtual cluster and resource management in cloud computing

Virtual clusters and resource management are essential components in cloud
computing, especially in multi-tenant environments where efficient resource allocation,
isolation, and performance optimization are crucial. These concepts help in creating a
dynamic, flexible, and scalable cloud infrastructure. Let's explore what virtual clusters
are and how resource management plays a role in cloud computing:

1. Virtual Clusters:

A virtual cluster is a collection of virtual machines (VMs) or containers that are grouped
together to serve a common purpose. These clusters can be used to run applications or
workloads, manage resources efficiently, and provide high availability. Here are some
key aspects of virtual clusters in cloud computing:

 Resource Pooling: Virtual clusters pool together resources, such as CPU, memory,
and storage, to be shared among a group of VMs or containers. This resource pooling
allows for better resource utilization and optimization.
 Workload Isolation: Virtual clusters provide workload isolation, meaning that the VMs
or containers within a cluster can operate independently, without interfering with one
another. This isolation is essential for security and performance.
 Scalability: Virtual clusters can be scaled up or down dynamically to handle varying
workloads. Cloud providers often offer services that automatically adjust the number of
VMs or containers in a cluster to meet demand.
 High Availability: Virtual clusters can be configured to provide high availability by
distributing VMs or containers across multiple physical servers or data centers. This
ensures that applications remain accessible even in the event of hardware failures.
 Container Orchestration: In the context of containerization, virtual clusters are often
managed by container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes. These platforms
automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications
within the cluster.

2. Resource Management:

Resource management in cloud computing involves the allocation, monitoring, and

optimization of resources to ensure the efficient and effective operation of applications
and services. This includes CPU, memory, storage, network bandwidth, and more. Key
aspects of resource management in cloud computing include:

 Resource Allocation: Cloud providers allocate resources to virtual clusters and VMs
based on user-defined specifications and the demand of workloads. Resources can be
provisioned manually or dynamically based on policies and scaling rules.
 Resource Monitoring: Cloud providers offer monitoring and performance tracking tools
to keep an eye on resource usage and application performance. This data can help in
identifying bottlenecks and optimizing resource allocation.
 Scaling and Auto-Scaling: Resource management includes the ability to scale
resources up or down based on changing workload demands. Auto-scaling features
automatically adjust resource allocation to handle traffic spikes or reduce costs during
periods of lower demand.
 Load Balancing: Load balancing is a critical aspect of resource management, ensuring
that incoming traffic is evenly distributed across the VMs or containers in a cluster. This
prevents overloading and enhances availability and performance.
 Resource Reservation and Quotas: Resource management tools often allow users to
set resource reservations, ensuring that a minimum amount of resources is always
available for critical applications. Quotas can be used to control resource usage for
individual users or departments.
 Cost Optimization: Effective resource management helps control cloud costs. Users
can set budgets, utilize cost optimization tools, and take advantage of reserved
instances or spot instances to reduce expenses.
 Resource Access Control: Resource management also involves defining access
control policies to protect resources from unauthorized access and to maintain data and
application security.
 Resource Optimization Algorithms: Cloud providers may employ various algorithms
to optimize resource allocation, such as bin packing and dynamic resource reallocation,
to ensure the best use of available resources.