What is the difference between cloud computing and virtualization?

The two concepts of virtualization and private cloud make many IT pros feel confused. Are they the same? What's the difference? We have virtualized most computing resources, so is the private cloud related to us? These are the questions that I often get asked. Before I answer these questions clearly, I would like to first clarify some of the necessary concepts.

This article will be divided into two parts

Part One: What is the difference between cloud computing and virtualization? (That is, this article)

Part Two: How private Cloud delivers it as a service

Recently, many enterprises ' IT departments have introduced virtualization into their existing computing environments. Consolidating servers, imitating production environments, virtualizing test networks, securing corporate networks, adding disaster alternatives, and so on, all of which are only using virtualization applications. Some enterprises also have a high degree of virtualization of their IT facilities with the automation provided by various systems management solutions. I think a lot of IT pros have recognized the benefits of virtualization, including more efficient use of servers, saving costs by reducing physical carbon footprint, and so on. Now that we are entering the cloud, the question becomes "virtualization and private cloud?" Or "Do we already have highly virtualized computing resources and need a private cloud?" The answer to these questions is usually "what kind of business problem do you need to solve?" Started. And then evaluate whether private http://www.aliyun.com/zixun/aggregation/14226.html "> Cloud solutions can solve this problem, or is virtualization enough?" Of course this assumes that we have a clear understanding of what virtualization is and what the private cloud is. The point is that virtualization and cloud computing are not the same thing. They want to solve the different dimensions of IT problems, but also to the enterprise will have different levels of impact, leading to different development prospects.

Virtualization

Briefly, in the IT environment, virtualization is about "isolating" computing resources, so that an object on a layer (such as an application, a task, a component) can operate independently without regard to other changes under that layer. A detailed discussion of virtualization is beyond the scope of this article. However, let us explain some of the terminology that virtualization and isolation are often chosen for specific reasons, but there are technical differences between virtualization and emulation, isolation, and redirection. "" Virtualization isolates a variety of computing resources and therefore provides the opportunity to reallocate and consolidate quarantined resources for better and more efficient use of these resources.

Cloud

Cloud computing, on the other hand, is the ability to access resources on demand. In general, there are many answers to what we expect to get from cloud computing. The definition of cloud computing given by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) outlines the basic features, how it is delivered, and what deployment patterns are considered cloud computing and so on. I have further simplified this definition, providing a more straightforward and simpler way to describe cloud computing, and here is what I've done with the 5-3-2 principle of cloud computing.

(Responsible editor: The good of the Legacy)