Virtual machine

Definition

A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that runs an operating system and applications just like a real computer. It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical hardware platform, providing isolation and flexibility for testing, development, and deployment of applications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Virtual machines allow for better resource utilization by enabling multiple VMs to operate on a single physical server, reducing hardware costs.
2. Each virtual machine operates in its own isolated environment, meaning that issues in one VM do not affect others on the same host.
3. Virtual machines can be easily created, cloned, and deleted, making them ideal for development and testing scenarios.
4. VMs can run different operating systems simultaneously on the same physical hardware, which is beneficial for cross-platform compatibility.
5. Snapshots of virtual machines can be taken, allowing users to revert back to previous states, which is useful for backups and recovery.

Review Questions

• How do virtual machines enhance resource utilization in computing environments?
  • Virtual machines enhance resource utilization by allowing multiple VMs to run on a single physical server. Each VM acts as an independent entity, sharing the underlying hardware resources such as CPU, memory, and storage. This leads to more efficient use of resources compared to running one physical server per application or service, ultimately lowering costs and maximizing efficiency.
• Discuss the role of hypervisors in the management of virtual machines and their significance in virtualization technologies.
  • Hypervisors play a crucial role in managing virtual machines by creating and overseeing them on a host system. They allocate the necessary physical resources to each VM while maintaining isolation between them. This capability is significant because it allows for the efficient operation of multiple VMs on a single hardware platform, enabling better scalability and flexibility in deploying applications.
• Evaluate the impact of virtualization technologies, specifically virtual machines, on software development and IT operations.
  • Virtualization technologies like virtual machines have transformed software development and IT operations by promoting agility and efficiency. They allow developers to create isolated environments for testing new software without affecting production systems. This leads to faster development cycles, as teams can experiment and deploy updates quickly. Additionally, VMs simplify resource management and disaster recovery processes, ultimately enhancing operational resilience in IT infrastructures.

Related terms

hypervisor: A hypervisor is software that creates and manages virtual machines by allocating physical resources from the host machine to each virtual environment.

containerization: Containerization is a lightweight form of virtualization that packages applications and their dependencies together, enabling them to run consistently across different computing environments.

guest OS: A guest OS is the operating system that runs inside a virtual machine, while the host OS is the operating system running on the physical hardware.