A virtual machine is a computing environment similar to a computer with a network interface, storage, and processor in a virtual environment. The virtual machine is a computer system with files, applications, and multiple operating systems separated from the physical hardware using hypervisor software. Multiple virtual machines can run simultaneously.
The physical hardware with the hypervisor is known as the host computer. The host treats multiple VMs as a guest operating system with a pool of resources that can be relocated between existing or new VMs. The user experience emulated within the VM is identical to that of the host, creating a real-time guest OS experience like a physical computer.
The VM uses virtualization technology to share a system with multiple virtual environments. Even though the hypervisor separates the VM from the host resources, it can schedule a request to the host machine if the VM needs to access the shared pool of physical resources. Since VMs can host other VMs, they can function as servers, reducing the organizational sprawl of concentrating resources on one physical server.
Virtual Machines help organizations in a vast realm of disciplines ranging from day-to-day operations to developing and deploying high-performance software. With the rapid adaptation of cloud computing and open-source software, VMs provide a competitive edge to organizations to leverage IT resources on the go. Some of the key benefits of Virtual machines are:
A virtual machine is a replacement for a physical computer with preloaded configuration available to the user to access from any host device. With its rapid availability and scalability, virtual machines are equipping organizations to deliver excellence.