VMs are software systems that act as fully independent computers within an existing hardware system. They use software called Hypervisors to separate hardware resources such as memory, CPU, and storage. Then the virtual machine is able to run another operating system (OS) like Windows for business use and Linux for software development.
Utilizing virtual systems lowers the chance of system failure and virtual systems for your business lets you quickly restore your data to an earlier date. It also enables you to test and deploy existing or new applications in a sandbox to ensure they function in the way you expect without affecting production.
The ability to install multiple VMs on a single physical server means that you’ll need less equipment and lower capital and operational costs. It also eliminates duplicate or backup systems and reduces the amount of data you need to maintain. With cloud-based VMs it’s simple to access your data from anywhere connected to the internet and eliminate the requirement for backups offsite locations.
A VM can run on any hardware that meets your performance needs including servers and desktops. Each Hypervisor has pros and cons that are important for small companies. VMware VSphere and ESX/ESXi is the most popular choice. This is an enterprise-ready solution that offers enhanced security hosts that are able to be created with up to 128 vCPUs and 6 TB of RAM. access via role-based access, extensive logs and auditing. Microsoft Hyper-V is another popular option. Microsoft Hyper-V is cheaper and easier to manage than vSphere however, it does not have the same capabilities.