A virtual machine (VM) is software that allows you to create and run a virtual computer on a physical computer. With a VM, you can run operating systems and applications in a virtual environment isolated from the physical hardware.
Definition of VM
A VM is a container within an operating system of a physical computer that functions as a software-based computer. It can be analogized that a VM is a computer within a computer. A VM is an innovation that has changed how we manage computing resources and software development. Although it does not have hardware, this virtual computer has its own resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, which can be customized to the user’s needs.
A VM can run its operating system and applications, regardless of the operating system and applications running on the physical computer where the VM is installed. The operating system on the VM can be used on the hardware (hardware) simultaneously with the operating system that is on the physical device. The main function of a VM is to perform tasks that cannot be performed on the original device.
How VM Works
A VM is a self-contained and independent computing environment that runs on a physical system. Within it, operating systems and applications can run as if they were on separate physical computers. This technology allows multiple VMs to share the same physical hardware resources but are entirely isolated.
A VM creates an abstraction layer on top of the physical hardware. This layer allows VMs to access the computer’s physical resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, without having to interact with it directly. VMs are managed by software called a hypervisor. The hypervisor is responsible for allocating the computer’s physical resources to VMs and ensuring that each VM has adequate isolation.
Types of VM
Process Virtual Machine
This type of VM allows an operating system to be run as a primary application on the built-in computer. This process virtual machine will provide an isolated programming environment from any operating system and software. It can also hide all
information originating from the built-in computer so that the device display can be changed entirely.
System Virtual Machine
This type of VM is fully virtualized and can work like a physical computer. To run this virtual machine requires sharing resources from the built-in computer to the VM, which will eventually take the VM run independently. However, it depends on whether the hypervisor can run on hardware or an operating system.
Benefits of VM
VMs can be used to run a variety of operating systems and applications simultaneously on one physical computer. This makes VMs very useful for a variety of purposes, such as:
- Saving costs: VMs can help save IT infrastructure costs by running multiple operating systems and applications on one physical computer.
- Increasing flexibility: VMs can be easily created, deleted, and moved between physical computers. This makes VMs very flexible for use in a variety of IT environments.
- Improving security: VMs can be used to isolate different operating systems and applications, thus enhancing IT security.
- Increasing productivity: VMs can be used to create isolated development and testing environments, thus increasing the productivity of IT teams.
- Good portability: VMs can be moved from one physical computer to another. This facilitates the work to the cloud or a different environment.
Uses of VM
- Software development: Software developers can use virtual machines to create isolated development environments for each project. This can help prevent conflicts between different projects.
- Software testing: Software testers can use virtual machines to create isolated testing environments for each software version being tested. This can help ensure that the software is thoroughly tested.
- Running incompatible applications: If applications are incompatible with the operating system of the physical computer, the virtual machine can be used to run the application in the virtual machine.
- Running multiple operating systems: If you need or desire to run multiple operating systems on one physical computer, the virtual machine can be relied on to run multiple operating systems. This will allow you to switch between operating systems easily.
- Providing a virtual desktop environment: VMs can be used to provide a virtual desktop environment to users.
Risks of virtualization
Running a VM requires sharing resources from the physical computer device. This needs to be considered because the resources from one piece of hardware are used to run the computer’s built-in operating system and the VM operating system. If the resources are limited, it can cause slowdowns in running the operating system or applications.
Virtual Machine is a very flexible and helpful tool that can be used for various purposes. The ability to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical computer has changed how we utilize hardware resources and manage computing environments
