CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
1 Introduction to IT
1-1 Overview of IT
1-2 IT Careers and Job Roles
1-3 IT Certifications
2 Hardware
2-1 Components of a Computer System
2-2 Peripheral Devices
2-3 Storage Devices
2-4 Input and Output Devices
2-5 Power Supplies and Cooling Systems
3 Networking
3-1 Networking Concepts
3-2 Network Types
3-3 Network Components
3-4 Network Configuration
3-5 Network Security
4 Mobile Devices
4-1 Mobile Device Types
4-2 Mobile Device Connectivity
4-3 Mobile Device Management
4-4 Mobile Device Security
5 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
5-1 Troubleshooting Methodology
5-2 Common Hardware Issues
5-3 Common Network Issues
5-4 Troubleshooting Tools
6 Operating Systems
6-1 Operating System Functions
6-2 Windows Operating Systems
6-3 macOS Operating Systems
6-4 Linux Operating Systems
6-5 Mobile Operating Systems
7 Software Troubleshooting
7-1 Troubleshooting Methodology
7-2 Common Software Issues
7-3 Troubleshooting Tools
8 Security
8-1 Security Concepts
8-2 Threats and Vulnerabilities
8-3 Security Best Practices
8-4 Security Tools and Technologies
9 Operational Procedures
9-1 IT Documentation
9-2 Change Management
9-3 Disaster Recovery
9-4 Safety Procedures
9-5 Environmental Controls
10 Software
10-1 Types of Software
10-2 Software Licensing
10-3 Software Installation and Configuration
10-4 Software Updates and Patches
11 Database Fundamentals
11-1 Database Concepts
11-2 Database Management Systems
11-3 Data Storage and Retrieval
12 Security Best Practices
12-1 User Authentication
12-2 Data Protection
12-3 Network Security Best Practices
12-4 Physical Security
13 Cloud Computing
13-1 Cloud Concepts
13-2 Cloud Service Models
13-3 Cloud Deployment Models
13-4 Cloud Security
14 Virtualization
14-1 Virtualization Concepts
14-2 Virtualization Technologies
14-3 Virtualization Benefits
15 IT Support
15-1 Customer Service Skills
15-2 IT Support Tools
15-3 Troubleshooting Techniques
15-4 Communication Skills
16 Emerging Technologies
16-1 Internet of Things (IoT)
16-2 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
16-3 Blockchain
16-4 Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
14.2 Virtualization Technologies Explained

14.2 Virtualization Technologies Explained

1. Virtualization

Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of something, such as hardware platforms, storage devices, or network resources. It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine simultaneously.

Example: Think of virtualization as a magic trick where a single magician (physical machine) appears to be multiple magicians (virtual machines) performing different tricks (running different operating systems).

2. Hypervisor

A Hypervisor, also known as a Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), is software that creates and runs virtual machines. It allows multiple operating systems to share a single host computer's hardware resources.

Example: Consider a hypervisor as a traffic controller. Just as a traffic controller manages multiple vehicles (operating systems) on a single road (physical machine), a hypervisor manages multiple virtual machines on a single host.

3. Type 1 Hypervisor

A Type 1 Hypervisor runs directly on the host's hardware to control the hardware and manage guest operating systems. It is also known as a bare-metal hypervisor.

Example: Think of a Type 1 hypervisor as a conductor leading an orchestra. Just as the conductor (hypervisor) directs the musicians (guest operating systems) without needing an intermediary (host OS), a Type 1 hypervisor manages virtual machines directly on the hardware.

4. Type 2 Hypervisor

A Type 2 Hypervisor runs on a conventional operating system as a software layer. It relies on the host operating system to manage hardware resources.

Example: Consider a Type 2 hypervisor as a game running on a console. Just as a game (virtual machine) runs on a console (host operating system), a Type 2 hypervisor runs on a host OS to manage virtual machines.

5. Virtual Machine (VM)

A Virtual Machine is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. It runs an operating system and applications as if it were a separate physical machine.

Example: Think of a virtual machine as a digital twin. Just as a twin (virtual machine) shares similarities with its counterpart (physical machine), a virtual machine shares resources with its host.

6. Containerization

Containerization is a lightweight virtualization method that packages an application and its dependencies into a container. Containers share the host OS kernel but run in isolated user spaces.

Example: Consider containerization as packing a suitcase. Just as a suitcase (container) holds all necessary items (application and dependencies) for a trip, a container holds all necessary components for an application to run.

7. Docker

Docker is a popular platform for developing, shipping, and running applications using containers. It provides tools for building, managing, and orchestrating containers.

Example: Think of Docker as a shipping container. Just as a shipping container (Docker) holds goods (applications) and can be moved easily, Docker containers hold applications and can be deployed across different environments seamlessly.

8. Kubernetes

Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

Example: Consider Kubernetes as an air traffic control system. Just as an air traffic control system (Kubernetes) manages multiple flights (containers) in the sky, Kubernetes manages multiple containers in a cluster.

9. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a technology that provides users with virtualized desktop environments. It allows users to access their desktops from any device over the network.

Example: Think of VDI as a remote desktop. Just as you can access your desktop from anywhere, VDI provides a virtual desktop that you can access from any device.

10. Thin Client

A Thin Client is a minimal computer designed to connect to a server-based computing environment. It relies on the server for processing and storage, reducing the need for local resources.

Example: Consider a thin client as a remote control. Just as a remote control (thin client) operates a device (server) without needing complex components, a thin client operates a server-based environment with minimal local resources.

11. Application Virtualization

Application Virtualization is a technology that allows applications to run in isolated environments without being installed on the host operating system. It enables applications to run on different operating systems without compatibility issues.

Example: Think of application virtualization as a portable app. Just as a portable app (virtualized application) can run on different devices without installation, a virtualized application can run on different operating systems without compatibility issues.

12. Network Virtualization

Network Virtualization is the process of combining hardware and software network resources into a single virtual network. It allows multiple virtual networks to run on a single physical network.

Example: Consider network virtualization as a multi-lane highway. Just as a multi-lane highway (virtual network) allows multiple vehicles (data packets) to travel simultaneously, network virtualization allows multiple virtual networks to run on a single physical network.

13. Storage Virtualization

Storage Virtualization is the process of combining physical storage from multiple network storage devices into what appears to be a single storage device. It simplifies storage management and improves efficiency.

Example: Think of storage virtualization as a storage locker. Just as a storage locker (virtual storage) holds multiple items (physical storage devices) in an organized manner, storage virtualization combines multiple storage devices into a single virtual storage.

14. Cloud Virtualization

Cloud Virtualization is the use of virtualization technologies to provide cloud computing services. It allows for the creation of virtualized resources such as servers, storage, and networks in the cloud.

Example: Consider cloud virtualization as a utility service. Just as you plug in and use electricity (cloud resources) without needing to generate it yourself, cloud virtualization provides virtualized resources on demand.