What does virtualization provide in the context of cloud computing?

Virtualization is a fundamental technology in cloud computing that allows for the creation of multiple virtual instances on a single physical server. This technology enables efficient resource utilization, as multiple virtual machines (VMs) can run on one physical server, sharing the underlying hardware resources such as CPU, memory, and storage. By abstracting the physical resources, virtualization allows organizations to deploy applications in isolated environments while minimizing hardware costs.

This capability is crucial in cloud computing, where scalability and flexibility are essential. Organizations can quickly scale up or down resources as needed without the need for additional physical hardware, leading to cost savings and easier management. Furthermore, virtualization enhances disaster recovery, load balancing, and resource optimization, ensuring that cloud environments can adapt to changing demands efficiently.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the primary benefits of virtualization within cloud computing. Storing data physically does not relate to virtualization, dedicated resource allocation suggests a static environment without the flexibility virtualization offers, and serving as a hardware replacement for legacy systems doesn’t represent the true purpose of virtualization, which focuses on resource efficiency and scalability.