Which process helps in resource optimization by creating virtual instances of physical hardware?

The process that helps in resource optimization by creating virtual instances of physical hardware is virtualization. This technology enables the abstraction of physical hardware resources, allowing multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server. Each VM operates independently and can run its own operating system and applications, mimicking the behavior of separate physical machines.

By utilizing virtualization, organizations can improve resource utilization, reduce hardware costs, and enhance scalability. This is particularly valuable in cloud computing environments, where resources can be dynamically allocated based on demand. It also leads to efficient management of workloads, easier backup and recovery processes, and improved flexibility in deploying applications.

Other options such as containerization focus on packaging applications and their dependencies for portability and lightweight operation, while database replication involves copying data across multiple databases for redundancy and availability. Network partitioning pertains to dividing a network into segments to improve performance and security, rather than optimizing resource use through hardware abstraction.