Users often get confused between virtualization and cloud computing. While virtualization and cloud computing both create useful environments, there are key differences between the two technologies. In short, virtualization creates simulated versions of a machine’s software or hardware components, while cloud computing is a model that enables users to access a shared pool of resources conveniently.

We will explore virtualization vs. cloud computing and see what they mean for applications.

Virtualization vs. Cloud Computing

What is virtualization?

Virtualization enables you to create many simulated environments on a single physical hardware system. Server virtualization is one of the most common forms of virtualization and consists of running multiple virtual server instances on one physical server. However, this technology is also used to virtualize other resources, like applications and desktops.

In virtualization, hypervisor software sits on top of the physical hardware, abstracting and delivering the machine resources to virtual machines. For example, when you virtualize a Windows application, the app is wrapped in a virtual structure that sits in the end-user device, keeping the application separate from the operating system.

What is cloud computing?

Clouds are complete IT environments that abstract, combine, and share resources across a network. Cloud computing involves running workloads within clouds. While cloud computing is an action, clouds are the environments where applications run.

Cloud infrastructure is physically off-premises and may include virtualization, or container software you can use to pool and share resources. Other common forms of cloud computing are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Desktop as a Service (DaaS). Usually, there is an OS at the base of cloud computing.

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Should You Move from On-premises Virtualization to Cloud Computing?

Some business leaders will implement virtualization in their on-premises datacenters to cut infrastructure costs and take the first step toward cloud computing — an opportunity to start the process of digital transformation by enabling the organization to operate more efficiently. However, moving to the cloud enables you to implement enterprise-grade applications without investing heavily in infrastructure.

Those with a virtual infrastructure can leverage the cloud to pool virtual resources and simplify management. You can also create a self-service portal for users. While beginning the process, a good practice is to move your infrastructure first, which will help your cloud migration run more smoothly.

Whatever the advantages of virtualization, the cloud offers separate benefits. The cloud is more dynamic than on-premises virtualization and provides the opportunity for hybrid environments.

Having a hybrid multi-cloud approach means combining public clouds (such as Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure) with a private cloud and on-premises infrastructure the enterprise owns. Rather than having to manage a different dashboard for each cloud — and yet another dashboard for on-premises virtualization infrastructure — hybrid-cloud solutions allow organizations to manage them all in one place.

Moving to a hybrid-cloud deployment requires a change in mindset from thinking about servers to thinking about services.

How to Go from Virtualization to Hybrid Cloud

1. Focus on skills that support hybrid-cloud deployments

Redirect your virtualization efforts and focus on the capabilities, resources, and infrastructure that can support hybrid- cloud deployments. To achieve this, align your cloud goals to your business goals first and establish clear objectives.

Also evaluate what percentage of workloads will be kept in the private cloud and how you will manage shared, virtualized, and scalable resources. Examine the requirements and adjust them accordingly. Assess which of your current workloads are suitable for a hybrid cloud.

2. Design cloud services to minimize shadow IT

Hybrid clouds give users easy access to resources but deploying unmanaged and managed devices can be tricky. Hybrid cloud requires providing self-service cloud access without affecting IT governance and security. When you have a service-centered approach, that focus is on how IT as a service will be delivered and consumed. Your resources remain secure and employee experience is not impacted.

3. Optimize IT in the cloud

What happens after the workload is deployed? How do you ensure security and compliance? A cloud that uses virtualized resources is more dynamic than the typical static virtualized data center.

To prevent issues, implement automated provisioning to allow on-demand access to services, and update any service management processes. Finally, enforce automated compliance policies to ensure security is maintained through the hybrid environment.

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What to Look for in a Virtualization Provider

There are a few key things to look out for when choosing a virtualization provider:

1. Does the provider’s solution have a proven track record and is it well respected in the industry?

You will have to do your research to make sure the provider’s virtualization solution has good reviews and has been around long enough to earn a solid reputation.

2. Is there a public update release timeline and a continual vision for improvement and innovation?

Get to know how updates happen, how often they happen, and how customer feedback is integrated. How will the provider’s solution keep your company at the leading edge of technology long-term?

3. Does the provider have extensive ecosystem documentation and support?

The provider should have a complete set of documentation for the virtualization solution that is searchable and continually updated. They should also have an available support team to help with any challenges that you cannot solve on your own.

4. Is the virtualization solution flexible and does it play well with others?

As your enterprise evolves you need the flexibility to adapt your systems and processes, which may involve incorporating new software and technologies. Your chosen virtualization solution should integrate well with the technologies you use or may use in the future — and it should be scalable to account for future workforce growth.

Create Your Ideal Virtualization Environment with Citrix

Citrix has had decades of experience and innovation in the virtualization space and is leading the way in hybrid cloud deployments with our Citrix DaaS offering. Citrix DaaS gives you secure workspaces accessible from anywhere on any device while providing greater IT agility and high end-user productivity.

With its comprehensive application virtualization solutions, Citrix can help you deliver secure access to all the apps and resources your modern workforce needs. Whether you need a fully managed DaaS or the flexibility to run on-premises workloads with cloud deployments, Citrix has your back. Benefits of Citrix include:

Comprehensive advanced security: Immense effort and resources are put into staying on top of security threats and continually pushing security updates.

  • Superior user experiences: Citrix has worked with our customers over the years to give them exactly what they need, with user-friendly interfaces that empower users to become independent and highly productive.
  • Hybrid multi-cloud: Deploy highly secure DaaS resources easily and quickly from the cloud. Store resources on any cloud and manage them right alongside on-premises resources.
  • Actionable analytics: Proactive analytics allow you to access the data you need to neutralize security threats and fix performance issues before they slow your company down. AI and machine learning provide real-time user behavior insights while automating cybersecurity processes.
  • Robust and innovative: Citrix HDX technologies ensure top performance of resource and graphics-intensive applications.
  • Scalable: Ensure business continuity with easy-to-scale solutions.

Learn more about how Citrix can be your ideal cloud-based virtualization solution. Request a demo.