Software Virtualization

Software virtualization is also known as application virtualization. It pertains to the software technologies which enhance the manageability and compatibility of applications. This can be done by encapsulating the applications from the operating system on which they are run. Simply put, software virtualization allows you to run numerous operating systems on one computer simultaneously.

Advantages of Software Virtualization

1.Software virtualization enables applications to run even if they are not compatible to the native application. For example, Win4Lin is ideal for Linux users who wish to run Windows on their computers. Penguinistas can also take advantage of Win4Lin. If you want Windows 2000 and Windows XP, there is an updated version of Win4Lin. Look for Win4Lin Pro.

2.Software virtualization can safeguard the operating system, along with the applications, from buggy codes.

3.Software virtualization enables applications to run even though they are in a read-only system-owned location.

4.Software virtualization enhances security since it separates applications from operating systems.

<b>Disadvantages of Software Virtualization</b>

1.Software virtualization is not applicable to all software. There are applications which need device drivers and there are 16-bit applications which can only run through shared memory space.

2.Software virtualization requires comparatively higher memory and disk storage.