What is virtualisation?
In recent years, virtualisation technology has become increasingly popular as a way to optimize IT resources and reduce costs. Simply put, virtualisation refers to the process of creating a virtual version of something, such as an operating system, a server, or a storage device. In the context of computing, virtualisation allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical machine, each with its own operating system and software applications.
There are several different virtualisation platforms available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at four of the most popular virtualisation solutions: VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, and Virtual Box.
VMware is one of the most established and widely used virtualisation platforms, and has been around since the late 1990s. VMware offers a range of virtualisation products, including VMware Workstation, which is designed for individual users and small teams, and VMware vSphere, which is geared towards enterprise-level deployments. Some of the key features of VMware include high availability, fault tolerance, and the ability to run multiple virtual machines on a single host.
Hyper-V is Microsoft’s virtualisation platform, and is included as part of Windows Server. Hyper-V supports both Windows and Linux virtual machines, and offers features such as live migration and dynamic memory allocation. Hyper-V also integrates with Microsoft’s other enterprise-level tools, such as System Center, making it a good choice for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Proxmox is an open-source virtualisation platform that is designed for use in both enterprise and home environments. Proxmox offers a web-based management interface that allows users to easily create and manage virtual machines, as well as storage and network resources. Proxmox also supports a wide range of guest operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and FreeBSD.
Virtual Box is a free and open-source virtualisation platform that is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Virtual Box is a good choice for individual users or small teams who want to run multiple virtual machines on a single host. Virtual Box offers features such as snapshots, which allow users to quickly revert to a previous state of a virtual machine, and the ability to share folders between the host and guest operating systems.
In conclusion, virtualisation technology allows organizations and individual users to optimize their IT resources and reduce costs. There are several different virtualisation platforms available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, and Virtual Boxvirtualization are all popular choices that offer a range of features and capabilities. The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements.

Dave is a 20-year computer tech, systems administrator, and Geek.
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