IT: Virtualization (Definitions)

"Creation of a virtual, as opposed to a real, instance of an entity, such as an operating system, server, storage, or network." (David G Hill, "Data Protection: Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance", 2009)

"The process of partitioning a computer so that multiple operating system instances can run at the same time on a single physical computer." (John Goodson & Robert A Steward, "The Data Access Handbook", 2009)

"A concept that separates business applications and data from hardware resources, allowing companies to pool hardware resources, rather than dedicate servers to application and assign those resources to applications as needed." (Linda Volonino & Efraim Turban, "Information Technology for Management" 8th Ed, 2011)

"A technique that creates logical representations of computing resources that are independent of the underlying physical computing resources." (Carlos Coronel et al, "Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management" 9th Ed., 2011)

"A method for managing hardware assets used at the same time by different users or processes, or both, that makes the part assigned to each user or process appear to act as if it was running on a separate piece of equipment." (Kenneth A Shaw, "Integrated Management of Processes and Information", 2013)

"Virtual memory is the use of a disk to store active areas of memory to make the available memory appear larger. In a virtual environment, one computer runs software that allows it to emulate another machine. This kind of emulation is commonly known as virtualization." (Marcia Kaufman et al, "Big Data For Dummies", 2013)

"A technique common in computing, consisting in the creation of virtual (rather than actual) instance of any element, so it can be managed and used independently. Virtualization has been one of the key tools for resource sharing and software development, and now it is beginning to be applied to the network disciplines." (Diego R López & Pedro A. Aranda, "Network Functions Virtualization: Going beyond the Carrier Cloud", 2015)

"Creation of a simulated environment (hardware platform, operating system, storage, etc.) that allows for central control and scalability." (Adam Gordon, "Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK 4th Ed.", 2015)

"The creation of a virtual version of actual services, applications, or resources." (Mike Harwood, "Internet Security: How to Defend Against Attackers on the Web" 2nd Ed., 2015)

"The process of creating a virtual version of a resource, such as an operating system, hardware platform, or storage device." (Andrew Pham et al, "From Business Strategy to Information Technology Roadmap", 2016)

"A base component of the cloud that consists of software that emulates physical infrastructure." (Richard Ehrhardt, "Cloud Build Methodology", 2017)

"The process of presenting an abstraction of hardware resources to give the appearance of dedicated access and control to hardware resources, while, in reality, those resources are being shared." (O Sami Saydjari, "Engineering Trustworthy Systems: Get Cybersecurity Design Right the First Time", 2018)