What is the main advantage of using memory reuse in resource allocation?

Using memory reuse in resource allocation primarily increases the density of virtual machines, which is essential in cloud computing environments. Memory reuse allows multiple virtual machines to share portions of their memory efficiently. This sharing can be done through techniques such as memory deduplication, where identical pages of memory across different virtual machines are consolidated into a single physical page.

By maximizing the use of memory resources, service providers can run more virtual machines on the same physical hardware, which directly contributes to higher density. This increased density not only optimizes hardware utilization but also enhances the management of data center resources, leading to improved performance and efficiency.

The benefits of higher density include better scalability and responsiveness to application demands, making it easier to deploy and manage a larger number of virtual machines without needing to proportionately increase physical resources. Thus, the ability to increase the density of virtual machines through memory reuse is a crucial advantage in the resource allocation strategies of cloud computing.