VMs are software systems that operate as fully independent computers inside a hardware system. They utilize a piece of software called hypervisor to divide hardware resources, such as CPU, memory and storage. A virtual machine can then use a different operating system, for instance, Windows for business applications or Linux for software development.
Virtual systems can reduce the risk of system failure and lets you quickly restore your data to an earlier point in time. It also enables you to test and deploy existing or new applications in a sandbox to ensure that they work as expected, without disrupting production.
You can install multiple VMs onto a single physical computer, reducing your capital and operating costs. It also reduces the need to duplicate or backup your systems, which can reduce the amount of data you’ll need to maintain. Furthermore, with cloud-based VMs it’s easy to access your data from any location that has an internet strategies for efficient online board meetings connection. It will also eliminate the need for offsite backup locations.
A VM can be used on any hardware that can meet your needs for performance such as servers and desktops. The type of Hypervisor you choose to use is a significant factor, as each has its own pros and cons for small companies. The most popular option is VMware vSphere that comes with ESX/ESXi. It is an enterprise-ready system that offers enhanced security, hosts that can be made with up to 128 vCPUs, 6 TB of RAM. access based on role, extensive logging and auditing. Microsoft Hyper-V is another popular option. It is less expensive and simpler to manage than vSphere however it has the same capabilities.