How do you set up software for virtual machines and the cloud?

1 Choose your hypervisor

A hypervisor is the software that creates and manages virtual machines on a physical host. There are two types of hypervisors: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 hypervisors run directly on the hardware, while Type 2 hypervisors run on top of an existing operating system. Some examples of Type 1 hypervisors are VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer. Some examples of Type 2 hypervisors are VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, and Parallels Desktop. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose the hypervisor that suits you best. However, keep in mind that Type 1 hypervisors generally offer better performance and security than Type 2 hypervisors.

2 Install your guest operating systems

Once you have your hypervisor installed, you can create and configure your virtual machines. Each virtual machine can run a different operating system, such as Windows, Linux, or macOS. To install a guest operating system, you need to have a source file, such as an ISO image or a DVD. You also need to allocate enough resources, such as memory, disk space, and CPU cores, for each virtual machine. You can use the hypervisor's interface or commands to create and customize your virtual machines. After the installation is complete, you can start, stop, pause, resume, and delete your virtual machines as needed.

3 Connect to the cloud

If you want to access your virtual machines from anywhere, or use cloud-based services and applications, you need to connect your physical host or your virtual machines to the cloud. The cloud is a network of servers that provide computing resources and services over the internet. There are different types of cloud models, such as public, private, and hybrid clouds. Some examples of cloud providers are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). To connect to the cloud, you need to have an account with a cloud provider, and follow their instructions and guidelines to set up and secure your connection. You can use the cloud provider's web portal, application programming interface (API), or command-line interface (CLI) to manage your cloud resources and services.

4 Install your applications

Once you have your virtual machines and your cloud connection ready, you can install your applications on them. You can use the same methods and tools that you would use on a physical machine, such as downloading, copying, or installing from a source file or a network location. However, you may need to adjust some settings or parameters to optimize the performance and compatibility of your applications in a virtual or cloud environment. For example, you may need to enable or disable certain features, configure network settings, or update drivers or patches. You can also use tools such as snapshots, backups, and clones to save, restore, or duplicate your applications and data.

5 Monitor and troubleshoot your software

Finally, you need to monitor and troubleshoot your software in your virtual machines and your cloud environment. You can use the hypervisor's and the cloud provider's tools and dashboards to check the status, performance, and usage of your software. You can also use third-party tools and utilities to perform more detailed or specific tasks, such as testing, benchmarking, or diagnosing. You should also follow the best practices and recommendations of your hypervisor and your cloud provider to ensure the security, reliability, and efficiency of your software. If you encounter any problems or errors, you should consult the documentation, forums, or support channels of your hypervisor, your cloud provider, or your application vendor.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?