A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. It runs an operating system (OS) and applications just like a physical machine, but it exists as a file on a host computer. The host computer uses a hypervisor (virtualization software) to create and manage multiple VMs on its physical hardware. Each VM operates independently, with its own virtualized resources such as CPU, memory, storage, and network interfaces.
Key benefits of virtual machines include:
1. Isolation: VMs are isolated from each other, so if one crashes, it doesn't affect others.
2. Resource Efficiency: You can run multiple VMs on a single physical machine, maximizing hardware usage.
3. Portability: VMs can be easily moved between different physical machines or cloud environments.
4. Testing and Development: VMs are often used for testing software in different environments without needing separate physical machines.
Examples of VM software include VMware, VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V.
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