Virtualization in Linux
Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of a computer or operating system, allowing multiple operating systems to run on the same physical hardware. There are several ways to achieve virtualization in Linux, including the following:
- Virtualization software: There are several software programs that allow you to create and manage virtual machines in Linux, such as VMware, VirtualBox, and Hyper-V. These programs provide a graphical user interface (GUI) and allow you to install and run multiple operating systems on the same physical hardware.
- Containerization: Containerization is a form of virtualization that allows you to run multiple isolated applications on the same operating system. Popular containerization tools for Linux include Docker and LXC.
- Kernel-level virtualization: Kernel-level virtualization is a form of virtualization that allows you to run multiple operating systems on the same physical hardware by using a hypervisor that runs at the kernel level of the operating system. Popular kernel-level virtualization tools for Linux include KVM and Xen.
Virtualization can be used for a variety of purposes, including testing and development, running legacy applications, and consolidating server resources. It allows you to run multiple operating systems and applications on the same hardware, improving efficiency and reducing costs.