Virtual machine: Concepts and the Advantages for Your Business

Virtual Machine, or just VM is a concept widely used in computing to obtain greater performance with security.

But, in practice, do you know exactly how this tool works?

Very briefly, we can say that VMs are “computers within computers”. However, with some specific operational procedures in the way. Among them is the use of software known as a hypervisor, which allows the creation of a digital environment within hardware.

Follow, in this article, all the details about the concept of a virtual machine, the ways to apply it, and everything it can deliver in terms of performance and security for your business.

What is a virtual machine?

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a powerful computer environment, which allows the user to run multiple operating systems, software programs, and networks on a single piece of hardware.

It operates separately from the physical device (host), and each VM offers its unique configuration and characteristics. Using VMs offers many advantages, such as portability, high security, optimized use of resources, and reduced equipment costs. A virtual machine can simplify complex IT environments by wrapping all configurations into a single, organized package.

If you’re looking for the efficiency of multiple PCs without increasing costs, trying a Virtual Machine could be a promising path forward.

What are the characteristics of a virtual machine?

Virtual machines are useful tools that can benefit corporate operations in countless ways. They provide flexibility, convenience and efficiency when working with different software systems or digital environments. It also allows you to switch between them easily and without implementing additional hardware.

VMs simulate a dedicated computer system, allowing multiple operating systems and programs to run on the same physical device. They also can securely partition data in their simulated environment, saving time and money.

A virtual machine’s ability to run multiple programs simultaneously without compromising performance makes it an attractive solution for those who need a reliable computing experience. In fact, the operating systems can be different. For example, if your employees use Windows, but you want to store data on Linux, both systems coexist without problems on different VMs.

How does a virtual machine work?

To create a VM within hardware, you need a hypervisor, which is virtualization software. Currently, several very sophisticated platforms exist to create these operating systems that are indistinguishable from native systems in terms of functionality.

Using a hypervisor or virtual machine monitor, it is possible to create several “guest VMs” on a single piece of hardware that will share their resources. As guest VMs use a single server, their operations will require less processing to have the same operational efficiency.

Virtualization and hypervisors: understand the concepts

Regarding hypervisors, it is important to highlight that they are key parts of machine virtualization. However, two types can be used to implement a virtual machine in your operation:

Type 1 – Bare metal

Type 1, or bare metal, is when the hypervisor is installed directly on the machine to create guest VMs. In the Linux operating system, there is the KVM hypervisor and in more modern models it is already installed and ready to use.

Type 2 – Hosted

In the hosted model, VMs are configured on a server and run on the machine. In other words, the hypervisor is located inside a host and not directly on the hardware. Many choose this mode for security reasons, but the tendency is to make guest VMs slower.

What is the purpose of a virtual machine?

The main use of a virtual machine is to ensure that users have the best possible computing experience using the same machine.

Another point is security, since using a virtual machine there is the snapshot feature, where a recovery point is created after modifications.

With this, it is possible to restore a VM in a few seconds without interrupting the operations of other hosts in your company.

What can this solution be used for?

It can be used in any operation that requires greater computational power at low cost.

For example, with a VM, you can have hardware that operates on Linux with a Windows or MacOS system running through the virtual machines.

Virtual machine: advantages and disadvantages

Applying this tool in your business operation will bring advantages and disadvantages, it is important to understand them before making a decision.

Always consider which functions will work through the VMs and which applications will be needed to perform certain tasks.

Check out the characteristics of virtual machines:

Benefits

One of the main advantages of VMs is that they allow you to use a computer without being tied to a physical location. In other words, for a company, the work environment can be much smaller, as only one piece of hardware will be needed to host several virtual machines.

Reduced environments consequently demand lower costs.

We can also highlight the flexibility, since you can have several systems on the same machine, and you can even isolate one of them for specific purposes. With this, you can perform actions within a virtual machine without interfering with the functioning of the main host.

It is also worth mentioning that data recovery in VMs is much more efficient, including the possibility of backups and system tests, without compromising the hard drive.

Finally, you will have server consolidation, optimizing the physical resources of the machine and achieving optimal computational performance with total security.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantages of using virtual machines are directly due to the need for powerful hardware to support multiple systems. If the hardware is not properly prepared, you may experience instability when multiple VMs operating simultaneously reach CPU overhead limits.

Another negative highlight is that virtual machines tend to be a little slower than hosts, so their implementation is ideal for simpler operations. Applications that require a lot of computational power, such as video editors, for example, are not recommended for this type of tool.

Existing VM types

There are essentially two types of virtual machines, processing and system. Each one will deliver a different functionality and below we will see the main distinctions:

Processing VM

These virtual environments run programs that do not depend on platforms, such as some everyday applications.

Applications that run in “portable” mode work similarly, as they have the features of software without the need for installation.

System VM

In this model, the physical resources of the host are also shared with the guest VMs, therefore, it is a more complete format that will require powerful hardware.

Types of virtualization used by virtual machines

The types of virtualization that virtual machines use will depend on the purposes of use in their operation. To better understand, we can divide it into the following functionalities:

Hardware

This is the standard model, where a hypervisor is used to create VMs, which can be on the same operating system as the hardware or on another.

For example, a Linux machine can host a MacOS or Windows VM.

Software

By taking advantage of the resources that the host hardware has, it is possible to virtualize software for use by non-native applications and remote access to virtual applications.

Storage

This function mainly serves to protect data and consolidates information from physical hardware into virtual environments, which can be duplicated for greater cybersecurity.

In other words, if your hardware suffers a ransomware attack, you can restore your data without having to pay a ransom.

Workspace

It is a virtualization model so that you can have remote access to your desktop on other machines. It is a virtual desktop that can be accessed on any device and from anywhere.

Network

Finally, network virtualization provides the creation of subnets within the same server for different uses. This maximizes performance for each user and automatically adjusts bandwidth for more efficient usage.

For example, if someone is on a video call, they will need a subnet with more bandwidth, while the user who only needs access to data uses much less bandwidth.

Tips for implementing a virtual machine in the company

To understand how to implement and use virtual machines in your operation, we have put together some practical tips. Each type of operation will have its particularities, however, understanding the bases will help you adapt the VMs to your operational reality.

First of all, it is necessary to make investments in hypervisor technologies so that the implementation of virtual machines is truly efficient.

After analyzing the internal aspects of your business, you can look for the option that best fits your operation.

It is important to emphasize that the best way to install VMs is with the help of a specialized technical professional to adapt the systems safely. Taking this into account, below we will provide some tips for implementation.

Install hypervisor software and once completed, follow the steps indicated to create a virtual machine. Each type of software will have its particularities, so we recommend looking for solutions that have good technical support.

Currently, the market offers a series of hypervisor options, but it is essential that you do not just look at the price when choosing.

This is because software that is not as efficient can not only slow down operations but also expose your computer to threats.

A good virtualization service will bring not only the necessary performance but also protocols to optimize cybersecurity in your business.

Finally, look for options that offer cloud processing and frequent backups so you don’t run the risk of losing important data.