1-4 Data Center Compute Explained

Key Concepts

• Servers
• Virtualization
• Hypervisors
• High Availability and Redundancy

Servers

Servers are powerful computers designed to provide services and resources to other computers and devices on a network. They handle requests from clients and deliver the necessary data or services. Servers can be physical or virtual and are categorized based on their functions, such as web servers, file servers, and database servers.

Think of a server as a dedicated worker in an office who handles specific tasks, such as managing files, hosting websites, or processing data, ensuring that all other employees can access the resources they need.

Virtualization

Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of a resource, such as a server, storage device, or network. It allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server, each with its own operating system and applications. Virtualization improves resource utilization, simplifies management, and reduces costs.

Imagine virtualization as a way to divide a large office space into multiple smaller offices, each with its own equipment and staff, allowing the space to be used more efficiently and flexibly.

Hypervisors

A hypervisor is software that creates and manages virtual machines (VMs). It allows multiple operating systems to run concurrently on a host computer. There are two types of hypervisors: Type 1 (bare-metal) and Type 2 (hosted). Type 1 hypervisors run directly on the hardware, while Type 2 hypervisors run on a host operating system.

Think of a hypervisor as a building manager who oversees multiple tenants (virtual machines) in a large office building, ensuring that each tenant has the resources they need and that the building operates smoothly.

High Availability and Redundancy

High availability (HA) refers to the ability of a system to operate continuously without failure for a long time. Redundancy is the duplication of critical components or functions of a system to increase reliability, typically in the form of backup systems that can take over if the primary system fails.

Consider high availability and redundancy as having multiple backup generators in a data center. If the primary generator fails, the backup generators can immediately take over, ensuring that the data center remains operational without interruption.