Cloud computing and virtualization share the common goal of maximizing utility of computing resources. However, both cloud computing, and virtualization are different from each other. This paper will illustrate the differences and commonalities both cloud computing, and virtualization.
Cloud computing is the technique that allows sharing of computing resources, data or software as a service through the internet. The data or applications are accessed from virtual machine that is unconnected to a physical host. Several hardware, application clusters, and operating system can provide cloud computing services. However, this technology can be cost ineffective and complicated; demanding a heavy work load to provide a limited set of features. It is important to note that cloud computing can happen without virtualization (Vaughn, n.d).
Virtualization is the procedure of virtual infrastructure resources simulation, as opposed to having actual (physical) resources, such as operating systems, computing environments, network components, etc. Virtualization allows multiple instances of infrastructure resources to operate on the same hardware. Access to infrastructure resources is controlled by a virtual machine manager (VMM), also known as a hypervisor. A hypervisor is a layer of software that manages access to the host’s physical hardware, and creates and run the virtual machine manager (VMM). There are two kinds of hypervisors: hosted, which runs on top of an operating system, and native which runs directly on the hardware (Boothe, 2013).
For a health care organization, virtualization would be preferred to cloud computing. Virtualization is simpler to use for the ordinary users and utilizes the IT resources more efficiently, while cloud computing delivers access to components on-demand as a service. In a health care organization, for example, medical history of a patient and/or medical test result is frequently accessed by medical professionals. Virtualization as opposed to cloud computing would be cost effective and uncomplicated to use, in this case to access the patients’ medical history or medical test results.
References
Boothe, H. (2013, Feb 19).What is the Difference between Virtualization and Cloud Computing?. Retrieved from http://www.virtualcommand.com/virtualization-cloud-computing-difference/
Vaughn, M. (n.d). Key Differences between Virtualization and Cloud Computing: Is Virtualization Cloud Computing?. Retrieved from http://docs.media.bitpipe.com/io_10x/io_100683/item_428385/Intel_sServerVirtualization_IO%23100683_E-Guide_062811.pdf
