Tech in Diagrams

What is a Virtual Machine?

A virtual machine is a software-defined computer that shares one physical host with other isolated machines.

Beginner 4 min Cloud Computing
Cloud · virtualisation
  • Virtual machine
  • Guest OS
  • Application
VM 1Linux · 2 vCPU · 8 GBApplicationWeb applicationGuest OSUbuntu 22.04 · boots on its ownVM 2Linux · 4 vCPU · 16 GBApplicationDatabase serverGuest OSDebian 12 · boots on its ownVM 3Windows · 2 vCPU · 8 GBApplicationLine-of-business appGuest OSWindows Server · boots on its ownHypervisorPartitions CPU, memory, storage and network into virtual hardware — and keeps each machine apartSCHEDULES ALL VMSPhysical hardware — one serverCONTRASTContainersVirtual machinesContainers share a kernel;VMs each boot a fullguest operating system.A VM virtualises hardware,so it can run a differentoperating system from thehost — at the cost of a fullboot and more memory.
One host, many isolated machines: the hypervisor partitions real hardware into virtual CPU, memory, disk and network, and every virtual machine boots a full guest OS of its own.

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Next conceptCloud Networking BasicsCloud networking gives you a private, software-defined network with explicit rules about what may talk to what.