What is a Virtual Machine? Complete Guide For Beginners
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Virtual Machines Explained – complete Guide for the students, learners who wants to know about virtual machines.
Virtual Machines (VM) is a software based computer which runs in a virtual way inside a real computer. For example, you have a computer in which Windows 10 operating system is running, but you want to run multiple operating systems inside that computer, then you use virtual machines concept, which helps you to run multiple operating system within your Computer
Virtual machines (VM) have its own CPU, RAM, Hard disk, network and operating system.
For example:
• Running Linux along with
Windows on a laptop running Windows.
• Running Windows, Linux, or
macOS simultaneously on a single PC
Invention of virtual machines
In 1960s-70 when computers
was too expensive, singe computer was used for a single work, which is a burden
for CPU resources, then the need of virtual machines occur.
Because people wants to run
multiple works at a single time, multiple users on a single machine or multiple
operating system on a same computer.
So the virtual machines was invented, which allows one physical machine to convert into multiple logical machines.
What is the concept of virtualization?
Virtualization is a process
which means to convert a physical computer into multiple virtual computer
through imagination.
This means virtualization
share CPU, RAM, hard disk and network between multiple virtual machines.
Virtualization is a process
and the virtual machine is a result.
How a virtual machine work?
First of all, you physical
computer where the virtual machine runs is called (host machine),then the
operating system (windows, Linux, macos) runs on your physical computer is
called (host operating system), then a hypervisor the bridge between hardware
and virtual machines, it allocates hardware resources to VMs and controls the executions,
then the operating system install inside the VM like (Linux operating system
running as a VM inside your physical computer are called (guest operating system).
Hypervisor
Hypervisor is a software
that works as a bridge between hardware and virtual machines, it decide the
hardware resources, CPU, memory, storage and network for the VM.
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Types of hypervisor
There are two types of
hypervisor
1. Bare metal hypervisor
It is directly installed on
hardware, it doesn’t need any hits OS like windows Linux MacOS of physical
computer, it is fast, secure and have high performance but complex for normal
users, some common examples are VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, Xen
2. Hosted Hypervisor
It need host operating system first, then the VM software suns on it, it is the most common type of VM, Easy and user-friendly and mostly used by students, developers and learners, most common types are Virtual Box, VMware workstation, parallels
Types of virtual machines
There are two types of virtual
machine
System virtual machine:
It’s a most common type that runs a
complete operating system, like a student install Linux on VMware
Process virtual machine: it used for portability
and language-independent execution because it runs a single program. Like java
virtual machine (JVM)
Benefits of virtual machines
1. You can run multiple OS on one system.
2. In case of testing and experimenting, virtual machines are safe
from crash and viruses.
3. VM save as a file form which leads to easy backup and recovery.
4. We can allocate CPU, RAM to VM according to our will.
5. We can easily run safe hacking labs, analyse malware.
6. Test applications across different OS without physical machines.
7. A physical server covert into multiple virtual machines.
Virtual machine software (Most Imp)
A) Virtual box
Virtual box develop by
oracle, it’s free and open source, supports window, Linux, macOS as host or
guest OS.
- Shares folders between
host and VM
- Supports multiple OS types
- Snapshot are
available
B) VMware
It is develop by VMware Inc.
available in paid version (VMware workstation pro) also available free or trial
version, it has high performance and for professional use.
- Better performance
then virtual box
- 3D graphics support
- Best for enterprises
- Snapshot or cloning
features are available
Use for software development
and testing, hands-on severs and labs, best for students who learn cyber
security and wants too do labs.
Advantages
- Multiple OS on one system
- Safe testing environment
- It gives easy backup
- Safe from virus and malware
Disadvantages
- High use of CPU and
RAM
- Performance are slow
- Not for gaming
- Limited access to physical hardware
Interview Questions to remember
Define Virtual Machine?
Answer:
A Virtual Machine is a
software-based computer that runs inside a physical computer OS and shares CPU,
RAM, disk, and an operating system just like a real computer.
Define Virtualization?
Answer:
Virtualization is a process
in which physical hardware are converted into logical resources and shared
among multiple virtual machines.
Difference between VM and Virtualization?
Answer:
• Virtual Machine: Final product
• Virtualization:
Process that creates virtual machines
Uses of Virtual Machines?
Answer:
• To run multiple operating systems
• To reduce cost
• For safe testing and learning
• For server consolidation
• For performing labs
Define Hypervisor?
Answer:
A Hypervisor is a software
that works as a bridge between hardware and virtual machines and provides Hardware
resources to the VMs.
Define the types of Hypervisors?
Answer:
There are two types of
hypervisors:
1. Bare Metal
2. Hosted
What is Bare Metal Hypervisor?
Answer:
A Bare Metal hypervisor is
installed directly on hardware, without any host operating system. It is faster
and more secure.
What is a Hosted Hypervisor?
Answer:
A Hosted hypervisor is
installed on top of a host operating system, and then virtual machines run on
it.
Define Host OS and Guest OS?
Answer:
• Host OS: The real
operating system installed on the physical system
• Guest OS: The
operating system running inside the virtual machine
Define System Virtual Machine?
Answer:
A System Virtual Machine
runs a complete operating system.
Define Process Virtual Machine?
Answer:
A Process Virtual Machine is
created to run a single program.
Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
Define the Uses of Virtual Machines?
Answer:
• Education and learning
• Software testing
• Cyber security labs
• Cloud computing
Why VMs used in Cyber Security?
Answer:
VMs provide an isolated
environment where malware and hacking activities can be tested safely without
damaging the real system.
Define Snapshot?
Answer:
A Snapshot is a backup point
of a virtual machine that allows us to restore the VM to a previous state.
Advantages of VM?
Answer:
• Multiple operating systems
• Cost saving
• Safe environment
• Easy backup
• Isolation
Disadvantages of VM?
Answer:
• Slower performance
• High RAM and CPU usage
• Not suitable for gaming
Physical Machine vs Virtual Machine?
Answer:
• Virtual Machine:
Software-based, low risk
• Physical Machine:
Hardware-based, high risk
Define Virtual Box?
Answer:
Virtual Box is a free hosted hypervisor that is best for students and learners.
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Conclusion
Virtual machines are the
most Imp tools now a days. Because of its wide use in education. Modern
computing, cybersecurity practice, cloud services and software development are
depend on virtual machines.
Virtual machines provides a secure and east environment to students and learners. Safe experiments, easy backups using snapshots, fastest recovery.
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