A virtual machine is a computer within another computer. Remote virtual machines can be accessed through a LAN or WAN, and are useful for testing new configurations without affecting the host system.
A virtual machine is a computer that exists only as an entity within another computer, called a host computer. In operation, virtual machines use the hardware of their host machines. A remote virtual machine is a virtual computer that exists and is stored on a separate network from your computer. Connectivity with a remote virtual machine requires a working network adapter and network configuration that allows access to the remote host computer where the virtual machine is stored.
There are two ways to communicate with a remote virtual machine. First, a local area connection (LAN) is created to establish a physical connection between the user’s computer and the host computer where the remote virtual machine is stored. This is usually done using a router and Ethernet cables, but a crossover cable can be used if the LAN connection is only intended to connect up to two computers: the host computer where the virtual machine is stored and another standalone computer. It is also possible to create a wireless LAN network, using a wireless router where both the host computer and the other computers on the network have wireless capabilities.
The second method for communicating with a remote virtual machine is over a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet. In this case, both the host computer where the remote virtual machine is stored and the computer used to communicate with the host computer must have working Internet connections. Communicating with a remote virtual machine over a WAN is typically less secure. The information communicated travels over public networks, so there is a greater risk of interception.
One of the primary uses of a remote virtual machine is to create an alternate operating system environment that is different from the host computer. This alternate environment can be used to test new configuration methods and software before installing or changing host machine settings, allowing the computer user to see if the changes will work as intended before putting them at risk on the primary system. Any changes that turn out to be problematic won’t harm the host system, because the remote virtual machine is like an isolated bubble in the host computer’s ocean, making it safe to tinker with configuration settings and computer settings in a worry-free environment. Even if the remote virtual machine becomes unusable following a drastic system change, it can be deleted and another virtual machine can easily be created to replace it without affecting the stability of the host computer.
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