Virtualization

Virtualization is the creation of a virtual version of something,such as an operating system,a server,a storage device or network resources.You probably know a little about virtualization if you have ever divided your hard drive into different partitions.A partition is the logical division of a hard disk drive to create two separate hard drives.

Operating system virtualization refers to the use of software to allow system hardware to run multiple instances of different operating systems concurrently allowing you to run different applications requiring different operating systems on one computer systems.

                                     VIRUALIZATION TIMELINE
In the mid 1960s I.B.M developed CP 40 which hoped would implement full virtualization.

In 1972 I.B.M announced several virtual storage operating systems.

In 1999 VMware introduced the first x86 virtualiztion product.

In 2005 VMware decided to provide high quality virtualization technology to everyone for free.They omitted the ability to create virtual machines and did not distribute the acceleration tools that come with VMware workstation.

In 2006  This year virtualization has a new level of playing field in application virtualization and application streaming.

In 2008 VMware release the first programme for Windows and Linux to enable DirectX 9 accelerated graphics on Windows XP guest.

                       FUTURE OF VIRTUALIZATION

It is felt that virtualization is moving back to servers. It is a cyclical shift and it in no way means that clients are obsolete. The client will be able to see the VM as a single server or a cloud where all necessary computing applications are available. The administrator on a network will also be able to access and administer all clients through this cloud with a single tool. The client will be able to utilize the resources in the cloud to store all his data, make changes or create new databases and even use the resources available in the VM to create or manipulate images.

 

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the internet.Cloud services has three distinct characteristics that are different from traditional hosting.It is sold on demand usually by the minute or hour.It is elastic which means the user can have as much or as little of a service as the they want at any given time.The service is fully managed by the provider.

So how does cloud computing work?
For example in an organisation instead of installing a suite of software for each computer,you'd only have to loal one application.That application would allow people to log into web based services which host all programs.Remote machines owned by another company would run everything from email to word processing, this is what is what cloud computing is.

The future of cloud computering is very exciting according to GM of Gigaspaces Mr Geva Perry who spoke to cloudcomputing.sys-con.com.Perry sees the trend of large vendors entering cloud computing.Google has  announced various initatives in cloud computing. Perry says all major IDEs will offer cloud deployment options.A next gereration of middleware for the cloud will rise on dominance over traditional J2EE application servers. 

Today chip manufacture Intel outlined its vision for the future of cloud computing.Intel claims that fully featured cloud computing solutions that offer small and medium enterprises an automated client aware approach will pave the way for widespread uptake of managed hosting on a grand scale. 

Mobile Computing

Mobile computing is the use of small and portable computing devices enabled networks that provide wireless connections to the mail server. such items are notebooks and PDA which have really hit the market with a bang due to the iphone.

With the introduction of wireless these devices have become very popular. Ireland have recently been voted 13th in the world for broadband leadership which is a sign that mobile computing will become more and more popular.

According to http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/ the future is very exciting for mobile computing.With the use of artificial intelligence will become personal secretaries.The working lifestyle will change with less people commuting to work and more working from home.

From my own personal experience I worked for a company who used mobile computing to receive orders using a handheld computer with the orders inserted into the device and the orderss would be ready for collection by the time I returned to the depot.

Examples of mobile computing users are the emergency service,they can receive information on the move using a CPCD system which uses mobile computing.Credit card vertification at Point of Sale (POS) terminals in shops and supermarkets, when customers use credit cards for transactions, the intercommunication required between the bank central computer and the POS terminal, in order to effect verification of the card usage, can take place quickly and securely over cellular channels using a mobile computer unit.