VMs are software-based environments that act like fully independent computers that are installed on a hardware system. They make use of software known as Hypervisor to divide hardware resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage. Then the virtual machine is able to run an operating system (OS) like Windows for business applications, and Linux for software development.
Virtual systems can reduce the risk of system failure and allows you to quickly restore your data to a previous date. It also lets you test and deploy legacy or new applications in a sandbox environment to ensure they function according to plan without disrupting production.
The ability to deploy multiple VMs on a single physical server means that you’ll need less equipment as well as lower capital and operational costs. It also eliminates duplicate backup systems and reduces the amount of data you must keep. Cloud-based VMs allow you to access your data wherever you have an internet connection, eliminating the need for offsite storage.
A VM can run on any hardware that meets your performance needs such as servers and desktops. The type of Hypervisor utilized is a crucial factor since every solution has its own pros and cons for small-sized businesses. VMware vSphere and ESX/ESXi are an extremely popular choice. This is an enterprise-ready solution with enhanced security, hosts that can be made with up to 128 virtual CPUs and 6TB of RAM, access based on role, extensive logging and auditing. Another popular option is Microsoft Hyper-V. It is cheaper and simpler to manage than vSphere but has the same capabilities.
