Today’s talk is about Virtual Machines that create the background to run another OS like another program on the existing operating system. When you see a new Linux distro, try it without formatting the entire computer. Virtual Machines help you to try them on Windows itself or on the same existing Linux distro.
Also, we hope to include a full description of Virtual Machines that are available for free, which will allow you to easily see how your software works in different environments.
What is VM?
A Virtual Machine or VM is a virtual (virtual – non-real) computer that facilitates the running of a program on the existing operating system of another operating system. VPS (Virtual Private Server) is also a virtual computer set up on a Dedicated Server.
When using VM, the host operating system (Host Operating System) is the current OS on our computer or server. The guest operating system (Guest Operating System) is the OS that we use through the Virtual Machine.
Compared to Host OS, Guest OS is just another program. From the Guest OS, it thinks it is running from another real computer. It has no knowledge of the Host OS. The connection between the two is made by VM software. By doing so, the CPU, RAM, and storage of our real computer are separated and the new computer is enabled. Even if a pen is connected, it can be set to appear in the VM. Internet connection, mouse, keyboard, etc. are all connected to it, but there is no obstacle to working on another program while it is running (except for speed).
You can host as many VMs as you want on the computer. A VM’s hard disk is used as a single file created on our hard disk. Therefore, the number of VMs that can be held is limited by the amount of space available on the hard drive. Since a VM can control the amount allocated from the hard drive, it can be set even when necessary depending on the work being done.
After booting a guest OS that can be added to the VM in the same way as the OS is usually installed on the computer, it will run on the screen. There is also the opportunity to enjoy the maximum experience with full screen.
Scenarios that require a VM
In practice, there are many situations where a VM can be used. Instead of buying a new computer, it is a great convenience and economic advantage to be able to do something by reconstructing another one on the same computer.
To try a new OS version
If for some reason you are using an old OS, you can use a VM to experience the new version. If you are using Windows 7 and want to see the features of Windows 10, you can install it in the VM, add the existing programs to it and try if they work properly. Then it is possible to decide in advance whether to upgrade the OS or not, saving the time spent on a complete format.
To experience other OS
Those who do not have the opportunity to use Linux due to reasons such as games and Photoshop, get the opportunity to experience Linux distros through a VM. Also, someone who wants to do something from Windows using Linux can use Windows from there. Moreover, you don’t need to buy an expensive Macbook to experience Mac OS.
For software that requires older OS
If you want to use software used in the past again, it is pointless to remove the current OS for that purpose. Instead, when an old OS such as Windows XP is installed on the VM, it is possible to reset the environment that requires the respective software and start working from it.
To use software developed for another OS
If Linux users need Photoshop, solutions can be obtained by using a VM. Instead of buying a Macbook just to use XCode when developing an app for iOS, it is possible to build the app through a VM. But it’s a shame that it’s a huge success for PC games and power-hungry software.
To try the software
Because you get the opportunity to run several operating systems on a single computer, you can easily test how a prepared software works in other operating system environments without wasting time on OS installations. Because RAM and Network can be controlled as required, even the current operating system can be used to see how it copes with low RAM and a slow network.
To divide a single server
By taking a dedicated server and separating it into many VPS, VM technology gives the opportunity to use it as several servers. They can contain the different OS and provide more advantages because they can provide RAM and CPU as needed for the included software (websites). If necessary, after allocating the required parts, the rest can be divided and sold as VPS.
VM software
There is much free software available for Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems that allow you to install and use them easily from a Windows CD or from an ISO such as Linux. VirtualBox (Windows/Mac/Linux), VMware (Windows/Linux), and Windows Virtual PC for Windows as well as QEMU for Linux are free VM software. Bluestack (Windows), and Genymotion (Windows, Linux) can be used to run Android on the computer.
If you have any more questions about this, please let me know. We hope to provide answers about it through comments or another article.
