- [Instructor] Modern server architecture
is based on virtualization.
This generally refers to the creation of virtual machines
that operate like real standalone systems.
The operating system of the virtual machines
have been abstracted from the underlying hardware.
This means that a hypervisor, or server
running a virtualization platform,
can run multiple virtual machines
with Windows and Linux on the same physical server.
Virtualization allows enterprises
to shrink the number of physical servers
required to operate their applications.
Since virtual machines can share the resources
of a single physical server,
enterprises save money on physically purchasing servers,
save money on maintaining that physical infrastructure,
and can see savings in power utilization.
Virtual environments can also clone
or duplicate virtual machines easily
for system testing and building.
Most hypervisors also have the ability to create snapshots.
This creates a snapshot of the system in time
that can later be reverted back to.
This is great for testing of changes and upgrades.
If everything fails, I can always
just roll back to the snapshot.
Virtualization environments also make it easy
to migrate a VM for one physical server to another
for maintenance or failover.
For example, if a physical server dies,
the VMs can be manually or automatically migrated
to working hypervisors.
Cisco has released the Nexus 1000 V virtual switch
that plugs into virtual infrastructure
to offer the power of Cisco switching
inside of a hypervisor.
Not only does this offer switching,
but an administrator can also configure
some advanced security on the V switch.
Cisco also has the Unified Computing System, or UCS,
which is comprised of virtualization support,
switching fabric, computing hardware,
and management software.
This is a pre-built system that can make things simpler
for admins to get up and running with virtualization.
Virtualization isn't the tech of the future,
it's the tech of the now.
So the quicker you familiarize yourself with it,
the better off you'll be.