Virtualized computing
Virtualization is the process of running a virtual instance of a computer system in a layer abstracted from the actual hardware, and can be used in a number of different computing scenarios. There are several flavors of virtualization, from operating system virtualization, which provides a useful way to run Linux and Windows side-by-side, to server virtualization, which allows network administrators to optimize computing capacity with minimizing physical footprint.
Virtual computing enables easy access to virtual software packages, access to specialized software without the need to install on your own computer, the ability to host your own server for development projects and coursework, and customization of your own environment to use for the semester.