GROUP 6 PROJECT – EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

SUBJECT: VIRTUALIZATION

11/30/2009

Gene Dockal

George Mathew

Final Research Paper

Virtualization. The term has been around for quite some time; however, only
recently has the concept taken off. This can be attributed to better hardware and
advancements in virtualization technology. As well, many companies have taken
on a “Green” iniative and virtualization has proven very beneficial in this effort.

Who developed virtualization? The history of virtualization can be traced back

approximately 30 years ago. In an effort to leverage the most out of expensive
mainframes, IBM found a way to create “virtual” machines within the mainframe
that allowed it to multi-task. Since mainframes were expensive resources at the
time, they were designed for partitioning as a way to fully leverage the investment.
1
These partitions allowed mainframes to run multiple applications and processes
at the same time. As time passed and costs of x86 hardware became less
expensive, the industry moved to a more distributed environment. This lead to
issues like low infrastructure utilization, increased infrastructure costs, increased IT
management costs, insufficient failover and disaster protection and high
maintenance end-user desktops .1

Although virtualization was seen as a solution to these issues, the x86 hardware
was not truly designed to support virtualization. Like mainframes, the x86
hardware was designed to work using a sequence instructions. Specifically, there
are 17 specific instructions that create problems when virtualized, causing the
operating system to display a warning, terminate the application, or simply crash
altogether. As a result, these 17 instructions were a significant obstacle to the initial
implementation of virtualization on x86 computers. VMware found a way to manage
these “crashes” and trap them so they can then issue legitimate instructions.1

So what is virtualization? Virtualization is a term that refers to the abstraction of

computer resources3. Virtualization can be broken down into several categories
with more emerging every day: Server/Workstation Virtualization, Application
Virtualization, Database Virtualization, Network Virtualization and Storage
Virtualization just to name a few.

Some may ask, “So, how does virtualization work.” Basically, virtualization is the
ability to run multiple operating systems in containers known as virtual machines.
An extra layer of software, called a hypervisor, is installed on the physical hardware
that manages things like hardware resources. The hypervisor allows several virtual
machines to run on a single host completely independent of one another.2 The host
system maintains a pool of system resources which can be shared among the

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virtual machines sitting on top. With the exception of sharing of computing

resources, each virtual server acts as its own entity; problems with an application
on one server do not affect other virtual machines on that same physical server4.

So what problem does virtualization solve? The answer depends on what problem
plagues your environment. For many companies, having enough server hardware
to service their IT environment is one of the real issues. When one considers the
costs associated with servers, additional server purchases must be justified. This is
where virtualization plays a key role in the data center. “By sharing the resources
of a single server across multiple environments, virtualization essentially allows one
server to do the job of multiple devices.” 5 This allows companies the flexibility of
deploying systems quickly and very inexpensively.

As well, many companies have adopted a “Go Green” initiative where they are
interested in saving the Earth’s natural resources among other things. When a
company can virtualize its IT resources not only does it cut down on electricity used
but also the amount of cooling required in maintaining the data center. Each of
these help to conserve natural resources.

As with any technology, there are pros and cons. What are the pros and cons of
virtualization? Obviously, the pros can be the problems that virtualization helps to
solve (computer hardware resources, power consumption, flexibility in deploying
new systems, etc.) “Without a doubt, the greatest advantage of server
virtualization is cost.”6

Some cons that many do not consider when jumping into the virtualization of their
environment include: security, single point of failure and bleed over. Considering
security, do you really want your confidential company financial information running
on a virtual system that also hosts web servers and mail servers? It could be
possible to use the other systems to compromise the host system which in turn
allows compromise of your confidential company financial data system.

Also consider the host system that is hosting multiple virtual systems for your
business. When this system goes down, you have affected all the systems hosted
on it. This can be quite problematic if your business applications that are
responsible for your company’s profit are no longer available. This is the single
point of failure.

Bleed over occurs when the contents of one virtual server affect other virtual
servers.6 An example of bleed over can be when another virtual system takes too
much of the hosts system resources (RAM, network bandwidth, etc) and that in turn
affects your virtual system running on that host.

Where can virtualization technology be used? Ideally the hardware in the company
data center comes to mind when thinking of virtualization; however this is not the
only place the technology is being used. By virtualizing applications, networks,
storage and databases, virtualization is spreading to other areas of the company.

When it comes to virtualization, you may ask: What are the other competitive
technologies? Cloud computing, existing legacy applications, automation of the

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datacenter and streaming technologies are just a few of the competitive

technologies. Each will boast its benefit to the end user but ultimately the decision
of which technology to use is based on the respective needs of the customer.

What are the limitations of virtualization? One of the more obvious limitations of
virtualization is the hardware limitation. For servers dedicated to applications with
high demands on processing power, virtualization isn't a good choice. That's
because virtualization essentially divides the server's processing power up among
the virtual servers. When the server's processing power can't meet application
demands, everything slows down7. Another limitation can be migrations. If the
need arises to migrate a virtual system to a new host, this is not an uncomplicated
process.

So with all of this being said, what impact will virtualization have on real life?
Businesses will find themselves changing their business processes to accommodate
the new virtual infrastructure. With a smaller well-controlled virtual environment,
many companies will be able to concentrate on the business of business.

What is one of the latest and greatest features of virtualization? Virtualization of

applications. By removing the need for an application to be tied to a specific piece
of hardware, it becomes portable.

Take VMware’s ThinApp for example. Based on the Thinstall product

acquired in January 2008, VMware’s ThinAPP is an application virtualization/portable
application creation suite that can package conventional applications so that they
become portable. ThinAPP is an effective application virtualization solution that is
able to execute applications without them being installed in the traditional sense by
visualizing resources such as environment variables, files and registry keys.

Most executives have four main drivers that are pushing them to look at
alternatives to traditional packing and delivery. The rising costs of labor gas and
other expenditures have CIOs looking for new ways to streamline costs and
expenses maximizing profitability while maintaining flexibility for the customer.
Improving security is the next main issue that CIOs and other executives look at to
improve. it can stay complain with security directives, and these regulations
require stricter security controls and processes, which increase the cost of and
complexity of managing desktops. Today's global economy requires business to
support more agile workforces that is often on the road or in the home office. With
agility and flexibility comes greater risk and needs to centralize data to protect
company IPs while keeping pace with new era. Regain control, the monolithic
desktop that tightly couples the OS application and hardware with tighter controls
has made it increasingly expensive complex and difficult for C level executives to
maintain. Many are asking for options that can enable them to customize their
technology strategy to the needs of the business. These drivers are due to constant
disruptions being placed on businesses due to increase dependency on technology.
OS are becoming more complex and harder to migrate; XP service pack two

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introduced incompatibility issues with small a set of critical applications, and now
Vista has more than 30 categories of incompatible issues making it impossible to for
IT to support OS migration while maintaining the business critical applications that
are incompatible with newer OS. ThinAPP helps to ease the problems while
providing real world solutions that plug-in today without complex back ends or
integrations required. VMware has been isolating and containing OSs using
virtualization allowing many virtual machines to operate on one physical host.
ThinAPP allows companies to isolate and contain applications, removing conflicts
and contentions that have proven to be costly and burdensome for IT staffs for
decades. With applications now been distributable objects instead of statically
bound installed components of a monolithic PC, new levels of agility and cost
savings are now able to be realized by new IT organizations. Using VMware ThinAPP
applications are now an asset that administrators and users can deploy and use on
any device any place at any time. VMware ThinAPP also simplifies the application
delivery by isolating applications from underlying operating system and plugging
directly into existing virtual and physical desktop management tools and
infrastructure. The Key main features are;

100% Agent less Application Virtualization:

• Application isolation. Deploy Office 97, 2003, 2007, and .NET

applications on the same OS without conflict as the applications run
independent of one another.
• Zero-runtime execution. With no installed agent, no footprint is left on
the endpoint device.
• 100% User Mode execution. Client runs on locked-down, unmanaged
“kiosk” PCs without Admin rights to execute applications, enabling it to
be used on managed and unmanaged PC.
• Block-by-block network streaming. Applications virtualized execute
once the minimum amount of code required to run the application is
available in the desktop’s memory.
• Sandbox environments for terminal services. Provide sandboxing for
applications running in a terminal services environment so that
multiple users can run their own sandboxed application without
affecting each other.
• 64-bit operating system support. Enables applications to be virtualized
and run on 64-bit systems.
• Execution on thin clients. Tested and certified to run virtualized
applications on Windows XP-based thin clients.
• Compatibility with a broad range of applications. Proven deployments
on simple-to-complex applications ranging from basic Microsoft Office
to custom applications with Java or .NET.

Conflict-free Application Delivery:

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• Active Directory integration. VMware ThinApp does not require any

distribution, streaming, or activation servers or agents.
• Execution from USB key with portable profiles/user settings. Enable a
user to run critical applications from a USB key while maintaining
corporate security requirements.
• Integration with 3rd-party application management solutions.
Creates .MSI and/or .EXE file that plugs into existing electronic
software delivery systems (Inventory, Configuration Management
Database, Definitive Software Library, Packagers) without additional
integrations required.
• Application Sync. Enables application updates for mobile users as well
as third parties on the corporate extranet, ensuring availability of the
latest version of the application, reducing patch risks to machines that
are taken off the network.

Simplified Application Packaging:

• Application Link. Allows packaged applications to dynamically establish

dependencies ("links") with other packaged applications
• Package it once, deliver to many. Execute a packaged application on
Windows NT, Windows PE, or XP Embedded without retesting or
repackaging the application for each operating system.
• System snapshots. Provides administrators with a rapid three-step
process for pre- and post-install system states for packaging simplicity
and for supporting applications that require a reboot during the
installation process.
• ISV embeddable. Organizations can deliver their custom application
throughout their extranet using VMware ThinApp application
virtualization technology.

(ThinAPP Website8)

ThinAPP offers many benefits to IT directors to include7:

• Streamline application migration and upgrades

• Reduce regression testing costs with independent sandboxes
• Reduce the cost of maintaining secure locked-down desktops
• Consolidate Terminal Server and MetaFrame servers
• Enhance work-force mobility with the ability to run applications offline
directly on any external media including USB Flash, CD ROM and unattached
laptops
• Upgrade operating systems without having to upgrade or replace legacy
applications
• Protect PC’s against changes to file system and registry

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Although application virtualization offers many great benefits, some applications

cannot be virtualized. Take for example applications that require special device
drives to run9. Alternatively, there may also special services that must be
installed/run from the host system that prevent apps from performing properly in a
“virtualized” world.

Whatever the case, the potential for virtualization is huge! Since the full adoption
of this technology is still ongoing, there are many things that will be discovered. As
these discoveries are unfolded, expect changes in how virtualization works the level
of its adoption and its overall importance in maintaining a viable IT infrastructure.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. VMWare: http://www.vmware.com/technology/history.html
2. Vi-Pedia: http://www.vi-pedia.com/How_Does_Virtualization_Work
3. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtualization
4. IT Management: http://www.itmanagement.com/faq/server-virtualization/
5. CDWG: http://webobjects.cdw.com/webobjects/media/PDF/RC/say-yes-
virtualization.pdf
6. Tech Republic: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-
5057662.html
7. How Stuff Works: http://communication.howstuffworks.com/server-
virtualization3.htm
8. VMWare https://www.vmware.com/products/thinapp
9. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_virtualization

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