Description: Full virtualization is a virtualization approach that allows a guest operating system to run in a completely isolated environment from the host operating system. This means that the guest operating system does not require modifications to function, providing great flexibility and compatibility. In this model, the hypervisor acts as an intermediary between the physical hardware and the virtual machines, managing resources and ensuring that each virtual machine has access to the necessary resources without interfering with each other. This technique is especially valuable in server environments, where multiple operating systems can run on a single physical server, optimizing resource use and reducing costs. Full virtualization also allows for the creation of secure testing and development environments, where developers can experiment without risking impact on the host operating system. Additionally, it facilitates the migration of operating systems and applications between different hardware, which is crucial for business continuity and disaster recovery.
History: Full virtualization has its roots in the 1960s when IBM developed the CP-40 system, which allowed multiple operating systems to run on a single machine. Over the years, the technology evolved and gained popularity in the 2000s with the arrival of hypervisors like VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, making virtualization accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Uses: Full virtualization is primarily used in data centers to maximize hardware utilization, in development and testing environments to create secure and isolated environments, and in the migration of applications and operating systems between different infrastructures.
Examples: An example of full virtualization is the use of various hypervisor technologies, such as VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V, which allow businesses to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server.
