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What is VHD File? Explanation of VHD File and VHD Data Recovery!

VHD file is an mirror image of hard disk that consists of disk partition, file system with all files/folders information and content. Multiple application that helps to implement the virtualization on Windows system utilize VHD file information and mount VHD file on host machine. Microsoft Hyper-V, Windows Server 2002 and Virtual PC mount VHD file on windows supported system.

VHD File is of Two Types

  1. Fixed VHD: The sized allocated to a guest machine remains fixed for entire period but utilization of partition size remains consistent. That means whether use that allocated partition or not but it remains dedicated it user and cant be used anywhere else.
  2. Dynamic VHD: The VHD file sized is initially fixed but the utilization of allocated sized varies. That means only the unused portion of virtual hard disk can be used anywhere else.

What is Virtualization?

Virtualization simply means creating virtual of something it can be operating system, server or hard disk. As basic term, it is the procedure to run multiple operation system in parallel on a single operating system. It requires a piece of hardware to run multiple operating systems from the same spot.


Why Virtualization?

  1. This technology that enables high resource utilization
  2. Improve computing power and increase utilization of hardware efficiency
  3. Decrease operational costs and maximize physical resource utilization
  4. Improve ease of management and conserve energy
  5. Test software configurations & maintain legacy applications

How to Achieve Virtualization?

In virtualization there are two components one is Host (main operating system) and Guest (secondary operating system). Virtualization concept demands virtualization software that runs on host operating machine. When virtualization application is running on system, it automatically mount VHD file on host machine. Virtualization software decouples one virtual system from anther with a thin software layer.

Virtualization Software

  • Hyper-V – Hyper-V is a product of Microsoft to implement the concept of virtualization based on hypervisor server virtualization product. Allow to consolidate multiple Virtual system to a single physical server.
  • Windows Virtual PC – Virtualization application comes with windows 7 professional as a built in feature. Allow to implement multiple Windows environments (like Windows XP, Windows 2008, 2005 and others) on Windows 7.
  • Windows Server R2 – Get beyond the physical boundaries by utilizing the Windows Server R2 the latest virtualization application allows running virtual system on single physical system. Its delivers high level of business value.