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What is a Virtual Machine?

A virtual machine is a software-based computer running its own OS and apps on physical servers.
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Virtual machine defined

A virtual machine emulates a physical computer, running its own operating system and apps with virtualized resources. It’s isolated from the host system, allowing users to perform secure tasks like testing apps or using different operating systems while optimizing physical hardware.

Key takeaways

  • Virtual machines behave like an actual computer running on a separate environment or operating system (OS).
  • VMs can offer better resource deployment, isolation of applications, and enhanced security.
  • VMs can also drive innovation, allowing seamless integration with emerging technologies like AI and edge computing.

How does a virtual machine work?

Virtualization is a complex process through which a software-based, or virtual version of a computer is created. This virtual machinery is allocated specific portions of CPU, memory, and storage from a physical host computer, such as your personal device or a remote server located in a cloud provider's datacenter.  

A VM is a computer file, often referred to as an image, that functions like a physical computer. It operates in a window as an independent computing environment, often to run a different OS or act as the user's entire computer experience. The VM is also isolated from the rest of the system, which means that the software within the VM can’t interfere with the host computer's primary OS.

What benefits do VMs offer?

VMs operate as separate computers with their own operating systems and applications, maintaining independence from each other and the physical host machine. A hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine manager, allows for the simultaneous operation of different operating systems on various VMs. This allows for the use of Linux VMs on a Windows OS or running an older version of Windows alongside a current Windows OS.
 
Since VMs are independent of each other, they're also extremely portable. You can quickly move a VM from one hypervisor to another on a different machine.
 
Virtual machines offer flexibility and portability, providing benefits such as:
  • Cost savings—Using multiple virtual environments on a single infrastructure reduces the physical footprint, lowering server maintenance and electricity costs.
  • Agility and speed—Creating a new VM is faster and easier than setting up a new environment for developers.
  • Reduced downtime—VMs can be easily moved between hypervisors, making them ideal for backup if the host fails. 
  • Scalability—VMs simplify app scaling by adding physical or virtual servers, improving app availability and performance.
  • Security—VMs can run multiple operating systems, allowing you to use a guest OS for insecure apps, thereby protecting your host OS. They enhance security and can isolate viruses, making them useful for safely studying malware.
Use Cases

What are VMs used for

Software development and testing
Developers use VMs to create isolated environments for testing new software without affecting their primary systems. This allows them to test different operating systems and configurations with ease.
Education and training
Colleges and institutions often use VMs to provide students with access to various software and operating systems without needing multiple physical machines, which is particularly useful for IT and computer science courses.
Cloud computing
Businesses use VMs to run applications and services in the cloud. This allows for scalable and flexible resource management, as VMs can be easily created, modified, and deleted as needed.
Disaster recovery
Businesses can create backups of virtual machines to quickly restore their systems in case of hardware failure or other disasters.
Server consolidation
Organizations utilize virtual machines to combine multiple server workloads onto fewer physical machines, which reduces hardware expenses and enhances resource usage.
Running legacy applications
VMs allow businesses to run older applications that might not be compatible with newer operating systems. This helps in maintaining continuity without the need for outdated hardware.

What are future VM trends?

VMs are poised to be transformative, driven by advances in AI and other emerging technologies:

  • Integration with AI—AI is revolutionizing VM technology by optimizing resource allocation, enhancing security, and automating management tasks. AI-powered VMs can predict workload demands, dynamically adjust resources, and identify potential security threats, making systems more efficient and secure. 
  • Edge computing—This technology processes data closer to the source, such as internet of things (IoT) devices, to reduce latency and bandwidth usage. As edge computing gains traction, VMs will play a crucial role in processing data, allowing for real-time analytics and faster decision-making for applications like autonomous vehicles and smart cities. 
  • Hybrid cloud solutions—VMs can be used seamlessly across on-premises, private, and public clouds. This hybrid approach allows businesses to optimize costs, performance, and scalability. 
  • Enhanced security—VMs will continue to evolve with advanced security features, such as AI-powered threat detection and response, which ensures that applications and data remain protected from cyber threats. 
  • Containerization—VMs will increasingly coexist with containers, providing a flexible and scalable environment for deploying applications. This hybrid approach allows businesses to run legacy applications alongside modern, containerized workloads. 
  • Quantum computing—Although still in its infancy, quantum computing will eventually integrate with VM technology, offering unprecedented computational power and solving complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computers.
  • Sustainability—VMs will contribute to greener IT practices by optimizing resource usage and reducing the need for physical hardware. This aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility in the tech industry.
Virtual machines have proven to be invaluable assets for organizations, offering unparalleled flexibility, efficiency, and security. As technology continues to advance, VMs will evolve to integrate seamlessly with emerging innovations such as AI, edge computing, and quantum computing. This evolution will drive further improvements in resource management, scalability, and sustainability, enabling businesses to adapt to changing demands and stay competitive.
The ongoing development of VM technology promises a future where organizations can use them to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and achieve their strategic goals.
     
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

  • A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based, or virtual version of a physical computer. It functions identically to a real computer, running an operating system and applications effectively. VMs allow multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, providing benefits like improved resource utilization, isolation of applications, enhanced security, and the ability to test and develop software in isolated environments.
  • VMs are software emulations of physical computers, while virtual desktops are user interfaces that allow access to a desktop environment hosted on a remote server. The key difference is that VMs emulate entire computers, whereas virtual desktops provide remote access to a desktop environment.
  • An example of a VM is VMware Workstation, which allows users to run multiple operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS on a single physical computer. This lets developers test software in different environments without needing separate hardware.
  • VMs are generally safe as they provide isolation between the host system and the VM, reducing the risk of malware spreading. However, their safety depends on proper configuration, regular updates, and security practices. VMs can still be vulnerable to attacks if not managed correctly, so it's essential to follow best practices for security.
  • Yes, you can run a VM on your phone. Specialized apps will allow you to access and manage VMs remotely, providing a similar experience to running them on a computer.
  • Yes, a VM takes up storage on the host system. The amount of storage depends on the size of the virtual hard disk, the operating system, and any installed applications. VMs can be configured to dynamically allocate storage as needed or use a fixed amount of storage.