5 business benefits of virtual machines – and how to use them
Virtual machines (VM) are like the Russian dolls of computing resources. These “computers within computer environments” function like two (or more) machines in one. The difference is, VMs are entirely software-based. The only place these virtual versions “exist” is in the code itself.
Learn how these virtual computer versions are helping businesses do everything from cutting costs to handling viruses.
What’s a virtual machine?
Virtual machines, employing what are known as “guest” operating systems, are like secondary computer systems that utilise virtual hardware devices. Like a physical computer, VMs come with their own dedicated CPU, memory and storage – on loan from a host machine or remote server.
VMs are code-only computers that run off a multi-gig file stored on your actual hard drive. They deploy a window that’s sandboxed, or cordoned off, from your primary operating system, allowing users to safely go beyond the limitations of their current OS or use multiple operating systems without interfering with the host machine’s functionality or putting it at risk.
What are VMs used for?
Deploying/testing apps, running outdated software versions or utilising entirely different operating systems from your host computer are common ways VMs are used.
Because they function like a completely separate machine, they create a safe environment in which to conduct more complicated processes too, including:
- Server virtualisation that consolidates and improves computing resources
- Testing unfamiliar or potentially fake websites that may carry risk
- Building apps within the cloud
- Trying out beta releases of new operating systems without downloading them
- OS backups and disaster recovery
- Running test-dev scenarios
As we’ll see, VMs are also ideal resources for isolating or accessing virus-infected data without running the risk of it tampering with your other files or host system. They allow users to interact with anything potentially untrustworthy in a self-contained environment.
Why use a virtual machine?
Independence is a cornerstone of virtual machines. Because they operate their own “guest” operating systems and apps separate from the host machine, they have several advantages over physical computers.
Let’s start with their portability.
The hypervisor, a piece of software that manages the virtual machine, makes it simple to instantly move the VM from one hypervisor to another, even on different host computers. It’s the same mechanism that lets you run legacy applications on older OS versions. That means never having to choose between giving up a phased out tool or running a less secure OS on your host machine.
They’re also flexible, easy to manage and require little maintenance. For businesses, that translates to:
- Increased cost savings, decreasing your dependence on physical infrastructure like energy-inefficient servers.
- More agile development, that uses virtualisation to quickly create testing environments for developers by simply booting up a VM.
- Improved uptime, providing nimble backup solutions that aren’t reliant on a host.
- Better scalability and performance, allowing users to redistribute workloads among more than one VM.
- More secure computing environments, which protect your host files and OS by isolating viruses or potentially risky data and websites.
Even something as ordinary as migrating to a new operating system can be costly and time-consuming for businesses. With software-based virtual machines, businesses can move beyond the limitations of their physical infrastructure or current operating systems.
Ready to go virtual? Or need support to understand how VM’s would work in your business? Either way, at Tritech I.T. we can help, contact us today.