What is virtualization?

[Vincent Trouilliez]

On Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:54:15 -0500
Default User <xyzzyx at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> I have been hearing virtualization being mentioned more and more
> recently.  I don't really know much about it.  Would someone please give
> a simple "Cliff's Notes" (TM) version of what it is, how it works, and
> why anyone would bother to use it at all.  
> 
> Please resist the urge to answer that "I if you don't know what it is,
> you don't need it".  
> 
> Thanks.


A starting point:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtualization

To give you an example, for me, virtualization is useful to run Windows
XP from within Linux/Ubuntu, this allows me to run Windows applications
when required, while still staying in my Linux environnement, my
platform of choice. 
I also use virtualization to install and test the
developement version of upcoming Ubuntu releases, without risking my
"real"/host machine data. I can do any number of massively stupid
mistakes in the virtual machine, with the full confidence that
absolutely nothing can happen to my "real" machine/environement, total
peace of mind.... that's priceless.
I also use virtualization to evaluate other Linux
distributions evey now and then.
Virtualization is just sooo useful, it's magic :-)

HTH 

--
Vince