1. A method comprising: identifying a first request from a software component to a database access component, wherein the first request is passed from the software component to the database access component through an agent instrumented on the software component, and the software component interfaces with the database using the database access component; determining that the database is to be virtualized in a virtualization mode; intercepting, at the agent, during the virtualization mode, a second request from the software component to the database access component, wherein the second request corresponds to a transaction involving the database, and interception of the second request causes handling of the second request to be redirected from the database access component to a virtual service implemented, at least in part, using the agent and a virtualization system; sending frame data from the agent to the virtualization system describing the second request; receiving virtualization data, at the agent, describing a virtualized response to provide to the software component responsive to the second request, wherein the virtualized response simulates a response of the database access component; and providing, through the agent, the virtualized response to the software component in lieu of the response from the database access component.