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Understanding Virtual Machines in OS

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software emulation of a physical computer that allows operating systems and applications to run as if on real hardware, managed by a hypervisor. There are two types of VMs: System Virtual Machines, which emulate complete hardware systems, and Process Virtual Machines, which run single programs in a platform-independent environment. While VMs offer advantages like isolation, security, flexibility, and resource efficiency, they also come with disadvantages such as performance overhead and complex management.

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19 views9 pages

Understanding Virtual Machines in OS

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software emulation of a physical computer that allows operating systems and applications to run as if on real hardware, managed by a hypervisor. There are two types of VMs: System Virtual Machines, which emulate complete hardware systems, and Process Virtual Machines, which run single programs in a platform-independent environment. While VMs offer advantages like isolation, security, flexibility, and resource efficiency, they also come with disadvantages such as performance overhead and complex management.

Uploaded by

mangalesh05
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Virtual

Machine
Virtual Machine in Operating Systems

It provides an
environment that
A Virtual Machine (VM) is simulates hardware
a software emulation of a functionality so that
physical computer operating systems and
system. applications can run just
like they would on a real
computer.
Concept Description

The actual operating system


Host OS

Virtual
running on the physical hardware

The operating system installed


Guest OS
inside the VM

Machine Hypervisor
Software that creates and
manages VMs (e.g., VirtualBox,
VMware, KVM)

Technology that allows multiple


Virtualization OS instances to run on one
physical machine
Types of Virtual
Machines:
• 1. System Virtual
Machine
• Emulates a complete
hardware system.
• Allows running multiple
operating systems on one
physical machine.
• Examples: VirtualBox,
VMware Workstation, QEMU
Cont

2. Process Virtual
MachineDesigned to
Example: Java Virtual
run a single program,
Machine (JVM), .NET
providing a platform-
CLR
independent
environment.
Hardware Abstraction: The VM abstracts
CPU, memory, disk, etc.
How Virtual
Machines
Work in Hypervisor Role:Type 1 Hypervisor (Bare
Metal): Runs directly on hardware (e.g.,
OS: VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V)

Type 2 Hypervisor (Hosted): Runs on a


host OS (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware
Workstation)Guest OS Execution: Runs
inside VM, unaware it's not on real
hardware
Isolation – Each VM runs
independently

Security – Crashes or malware in

Advanta one VM don’t affect others

ges: Flexibility – Run different OSes


on the same hardware

Resource Efficiency – Better


hardware utilization
Disadvantages:

Performance Overhead – VMs Resource Usage – Each VM Complex Management –


are slower than running consumes CPU, RAM, disk Especially with many VMs
directly on hardware
Use Cases

Testing new Cloud


Server
operating Running legacy computing
consolidation in
systems or applications environments
data centers
software (e.g., AWS EC2)

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