A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based computer that exists within another computer’s operating system. It is commonly used for testing, backing up data, and running software as a service (SaaS) applications. To understand how virtual machines work, it is important to first understand how computer software and hardware are integrated by an operating system. Traditional computers are built with physical hardware, and to utilize this hardware, they rely on an operating system. However, it is possible to run multiple operating systems on one computer through virtualization, where a piece of software behaves as if it were an independent computer. This software, known as a virtual machine, runs on a host computer and has its own operating system and virtual hardware. Virtual machines are used for various purposes, such as testing applications in different environments, running software designed for other operating systems, running outdated software, and browser isolation. Cloud providers also offer virtual machines for running SaaS applications, backing up data, and hosting services like email and access management. Cloudflare is a company that helps protect and manage cloud deployments, including virtual machines, with its SaaS and serverless platform solutions.
What is a virtual machine?
A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based computer that exists within another computer’s operating system. It utilizes a process called virtualization to run and operate. A virtual machine is commonly used for testing, backing up data, or running software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. To fully understand virtual machines, it is important to first grasp the concept of an operating system and how it interacts with computer hardware.
What is an operating system?
An operating system (OS) is software that manages a computer’s hardware and allows users to interact with it. It is responsible for tasks such as file management, memory allocation, and providing access to devices like network interface cards and printers. Common examples of operating systems include Mac OSX, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Android. Traditionally, one physical computer contains a single operating system that manages its resources.
Can you have two or more operating systems on one computer?
Yes, it is possible to run multiple operating systems on a single computer through a process called virtualization. Virtualization allows a piece of software known as a virtual machine to behave like an independent computer within the host computer’s operating system. The host computer provides resources for the virtual machine, and it has its own virtual hardware. The number of virtual machines that can run on one host is determined by the available resources. Users can run the operating system of a virtual machine in a window or in full-screen mode to simulate a genuine host operating system.
What are virtual machines used for?
Virtual machines have several use cases, including:
Testing:
Software developers often use virtual machines to test their applications in different environments. They can run their applications on various operating systems within virtual machines on a single computer. This practice is more cost-effective and simpler than testing on multiple physical machines.
Running software designed for other operating systems:
Certain software applications are only available for a specific platform. By using virtual machines, users can run software designed for a different operating system. For example, a Mac user can run a Windows virtual machine on their Mac to use Windows-specific software.
Running outdated software:
Some older software cannot be run on modern operating systems. Users who need to run these applications can create a virtual machine with an older operating system specifically for that purpose.
Browser isolation:
Browser isolation is a technique used to separate web browsing activity from the rest of a computer’s operating system to protect it from malware. Some browser isolation tools utilize virtual machines to establish this isolation. However, this approach may slow down browsing activity.
How does cloud computing use virtual machines?
Cloud computing providers offer virtual machines as a service to their customers. These virtual machines are hosted on powerful servers capable of supporting multiple virtual machines simultaneously. Cloud-based virtual machines provide various benefits that are not practical with locally-hosted virtual machines, including:
Running SaaS applications:
SaaS applications are cloud-based software that is accessed over the Internet rather than being installed on individual computers. Virtual machines in the cloud can perform the computation required for these applications and deliver them to users. If the cloud provider has a geographically distributed network edge, the application can be executed closer to the user, resulting in faster performance.
Backing up data:
Cloud-based virtual machines are commonly used for data backup purposes. Data stored in cloud VMs can be accessed from anywhere and offers better redundancy, requires less maintenance, and scales more efficiently than physical data centers. It is easier to expand storage capacity with a cloud VM provider compared to building a new local data server.
Hosting services:
Cloud virtual machines are used to host services such as email and access management. Hosting these services on cloud VMs offers improved performance, cost-effectiveness, and minimizes maintenance efforts. Additionally, leveraging cloud VMs helps offload security concerns.
Browser isolation:
Cloud-based browser isolation tools utilize virtual machines to run web browsing activities and deliver secure content to users through a secure internet connection.
Cloudflare and virtual machines
Cloudflare, a leading web services provider, supports and manages various types of cloud deployments, including Cloud virtual machines. SaaS providers can utilize Cloudflare to improve their application’s performance, protect custom domains, and more. Additionally, Cloudflare’s Workers, a serverless platform, offers edge computation capabilities without the need to configure or maintain infrastructure.
In conclusion, virtual machines are powerful tools that allow users to run multiple operating systems on a single computer, enabling them to test applications, run software designed for different OSes, run outdated software, or establish browser isolation. Within cloud computing, virtual machines are used for running SaaS applications, backing up data, hosting services, and implementing browser isolation. Cloudflare provides support for cloud virtual machines and offers services to enhance performance and security for cloud-based applications.
