This takes a toll on the processor by allocating cycles to the emulation process – cycles that would instead be utilized executing calculations. In our emulation example, software fills in for hardware – creating an environment that behaves in a hardware-like manner. They behave exactly like real hardware, and an application or another computer would not be able to tell the difference.Įach of these technologies have their own uses, benefits and shortcomings. Both of these “virtual” servers are independent software containers, having their own access to software based resources – CPU, RAM, storage and networking – and can be rebooted independently. In this same example, virtualization would involve taking system A and splitting it into two servers, B and C. The software then runs on an emulation of system A. For example, if a piece of software runs on system A and not on system B, we make system B “emulate” the working of system A. What’s the difference?Įmulation, in short, involves making one system imitate another. We’ll look to separate these often confused terms, and describe what each of them mean for business IT operations. Conversely, virtualized systems act independent of the underlying hardware. If you’re looking to access an older operating system within a newer architecture, emulation would be your preferred route.

By Lance Boley, Product and Solutions Evangelist, DellĮmulation and virtualization carry many similarities, yet they have distinct operational differences.

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