What Is a Virtual Machine?
Type 1 (Bare-Metal): This kind runs directly on the
hardware, without needing another opera ng
Imagine you have a single computer, but inside that
system underneath. It’s faster and used in big
computer, you can create several smaller
setups, like servers. An example is VMware ESXi.
computers that act like they’re separate machines.
That’s what a virtual machine (VM) is! It’s like a Type 2 (Hosted): This kind runs on top of an
computer within a computer. Each virtual machine opera ng system (like Windows or macOS) that’s
can run its own opera ng system—like Windows, already on your computer. It’s simpler for personal
Linux, or macOS—without needing a separate use, like on your laptop. An example is VirtualBox.
physical device. This is really helpful for things like
3. Crea ng a Virtual Machine
tes ng new so ware, running different systems at
the same me, or even saving money by not buying Using the hypervisor, you tell it, “Hey, I want to
extra hardware. make a new virtual machine!” You decide how
much CPU, memory, and storage it gets—like
se ng up a mini-computer inside your real one. It’s
How Does a Virtual Machine Work? like carving out a li le space from your host
machine just for the VM.
Let me break it down step by step so it’s easy to
understand—like explaining it to a student who’s
new to this idea!
4. Installing an Opera ng System
Now, just like a real computer, your virtual machine
1. The Physical Machine (The Host) needs an opera ng system (OS). You can install
whatever you want—Windows, Linux, anything! It’s
This is your actual computer—the one you’re using
like pu ng the “brain” into your mini-computer.
right now. It has a CPU (the brain), memory (RAM),
You can even run an OS that’s different from the
storage (like a hard drive), and other hardware. We
one on your host.
call this the host because it “hosts” the virtual
machines.
5. Running the Virtual Machine
2. The Hypervisor (The Manager) Once it’s set up, you start the VM, and it pops up
like a window on your screen. Inside that window, it
To make virtual machines work, you need a special
acts like a totally separate computer! You can install
piece of so ware called a hypervisor. Think of it as
apps, browse the web, or do whatever you want.
a super-smart manager or traffic cop. The
The hypervisor makes sure the VM gets its fair
hypervisor’s job is to take the resources of your
share of resources without bumping into the host
physical computer—like CPU power, memory, and
or other VMs.
storage—and share them out to the virtual
machines you create. There are two main types of
hypervisors:
6. Isola on (Keeping Things Separate)
Here’s something cool: each VM is isolated. That
means if one VM crashes or gets a virus, it doesn’t
mess up your main computer or the other VMs. It’s
like having li le safety bubbles around each one.
This makes VMs awesome for tes ng risky stuff!
7. Networking
VMs can talk to each other or the internet through
virtual networks. The hypervisor sets up these
connec ons, so it’s like your VM has its own li le
internet cable, even though it’s all inside one
machine.
Why Are Virtual Machines Useful?
Saves Money: You don’t need a bunch of separate
computers—just one powerful one can run many
VMs.
Super Flexible: You can create or delete VMs
whenever you want, or move them to another
machine.
Great for Tes ng: Try out new so ware or
opera ng systems without risking your main
system.
Uses Resources Smartly: One computer can do the
work of many!
