Cloud Computing vs Virtualization: Definitions, Pros and Cons, and Key Differences
Cloud computing and virtualization are the two main approaches organizations encounter when looking to optimize and modernize their IT infrastructure. However, to determine which will be the most suitable choice for your organization, you need to clearly understand how they work and how they differ.
In this post, Apriorit experts overview main characteristics, pros and cons of each technology to help you determine which one to choose.
Are cloud computing and virtualization the same?
Both virtualization and cloud services create environments from abstract resources, which is why these terms are sometimes used interchangeably. The key difference is that virtualization is a technology, while cloud computing is an environment.
Cloud computing uses server virtualization as an underlying part of the service, helping providers pool and deliver resources. If you already have a virtual infrastructure, you can expand it and turn it into a cloud.
However, virtualization is not necessary for a cloud to exist and is not the equivalent of a cloud environment. Rather, modern cloud services are built on top of virtualization to deliver automation and scalability.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a methodology for delivering computer system resources and services like data storage and computing power from clouds on demand.
Clouds are pools of virtual resources. They are orchestrated by management and automation software in a way that allows users to access them through self-service portals supported by automatic scaling and dynamic resource allocation.
Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.
Definition of cloud computing by NIST
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cloud computing has five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment models. We overview them in the following slides.
Essential characteristics of cloud computing
Cloud computing service models
Cloud computing deployment models
Benefits of cloud computing
Challenges of cloud computing
Virtualization definition and use cases
Virtualization technology allows you to create multiple simulated environments and virtual machines on a single physical computer or server. Thanks to virtualization, organizations can run different operating systems, storage devices, computer-generated hardware versions, or applications while sharing the resources of a single host machine.
Virtualization is the abstraction of IT resources that masks the physical nature and boundaries of those resources from resource users. An IT resource can be a server, a client, storage, networks, applications or OSs. Essentially, any IT building block can potentially be abstracted from resource users.
Definition of virtualization by Gartner
Types of virtualization depending on the task
Advantages of the virtualization approach
Drawbacks of the virtualization approach
Along with the wide range of benefits that cloud computing environments and virtualization technology can bring to your organization come some challenges.
When choosing the right approach for your project, consider your company’s goals, needs, desired infrastructure, and budget. To properly build and manage your IT infrastructure, you also need to find experienced and knowledgeable specialists.
