Virtual machines can emulate software and operating systems, with different purposes. They can be used to run programs on different operating systems or create test environments for new code. Virtual servers are used by web hosting companies to partition servers and host websites without high costs.
The term “virtual machine” is a generic term that refers to a range of downloads that can emulate software and operating systems and run various operating systems and virtual servers. Each of the virtual machine downloads has a separate and distinct purpose and some are used every day without the user knowing that he or she is using a virtual machine.
Virtual machine downloads that emulate software are commonly done for those running operating systems that don’t see many software releases. The virtual machine is able to emulate the environment of another operating system, for which appropriate software is released, and allows the user to run the program. These are generally process virtual machines, or machines made to perform a single function, and typically don’t force the user to purchase or use an installation CD for the operating system the software is emulating.
System virtual machine downloads are done to emulate entire operating systems. This is done by creating a partition on the computer’s hard drive and storing the data for the additional operating system on that partition. Some of these programs run the separate operating system in a different window, while others need to start the other operating system separately. Depending on the program, these virtual machine downloads may be able to emulate one or more different operating systems. Typically you will need an installation CD for this virtual machine to emulate the operating system.
A virtual PC is similar to a system virtual machine in that it emulates operating systems. The difference here is that a virtual PC does not emulate different operating systems but allows the user to open the same operating system multiple times simultaneously on the same window. It is mostly used by programmers to provide test environments for new code or programs without the possibility of crashing your computer.
Virtual servers are different from other categories of virtual machines. When someone buys a domain and hosts a website, a server is needed to place the website on the internet. Web hosting companies use a virtual server which allows them to create a partition on the server and put website information into that partition. This allows the website owner to run and manage a website without having to purchase an entire server. The website owner doesn’t have a physical server that they can control, but they also don’t have the high costs associated with running a physical server.
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