How do you virtually run multiple systems on one device?

1 What is virtualization?

Virtualization is the process of creating and running one or more VMs on a single physical device. A VM is a software-based emulation of a computer system that can run its own operating system and applications. VMs are isolated from each other and from the host system, which means they can have different configurations and security settings. Virtualization can help you test new software, run legacy applications, access different platforms, and save resources.

2 How does virtualization work?

Virtualization works by using a software layer called a hypervisor or a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that sits between the host system and the VMs. The hypervisor manages the allocation of resources, such as CPU, memory, disk, and network, to the VMs and provides an interface for the VMs to interact with the host hardware. The hypervisor can also perform tasks such as creating, deleting, suspending, resuming, and migrating VMs. There are two main types of hypervisors: type 1 and type 2.

3 What are the types of hypervisors?

Type 1 hypervisors, also known as bare-metal or native hypervisors, run directly on the host hardware without an underlying operating system. They have direct access to the host resources and can offer higher performance and security. Examples of type 1 hypervisors are VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Xen. Type 2 hypervisors, also known as hosted or application hypervisors, run on top of an existing operating system on the host system. They rely on the host operating system to access the host resources and can offer more flexibility and compatibility. Examples of type 2 hypervisors are VMware Workstation, Oracle VirtualBox, and Parallels Desktop.

4 How do you choose a hypervisor?

When selecting a hypervisor, it is important to consider your goals, budget, hardware, and preferences. You should ask yourself what the purpose of virtualization is, how much you are willing to spend on it, the specifications of your host system, the operating systems and applications you want to run on VMs, and the features and functions you need from a hypervisor. Do you need support for snapshots, cloning, encryption, backups, or migration? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision.

5 How do you install and configure a hypervisor?

The installation and configuration of a hypervisor can vary depending on the type and vendor. However, some general steps include checking compatibility and requirements with the host system and VMs you want to run, downloading and installing the hypervisor software, creating a new VM by specifying name, location, size, and type, assigning resources like CPU, memory, disk, and network to the VM based on needs and recommendations, installing the operating system and applications on the VM from an installation media or a network source, installing guest additions or tools to enable better integration and performance with the host system and hypervisor, and customizing settings and preferences of the VM according to needs and options.

6 How do you manage and use VMs?

Once you have installed and configured your VMs, you can manage and use them through the hypervisor's interface or commands. For instance, you can start, stop, pause, resume, or restart your VMs. It's also possible to connect to your VMs with a console, a remote desktop, or a SSH session. Additionally, you can copy, paste, drag, and drop files and folders between your host system and your VMs. Moreover, you can share folders, devices, and network connections between your host system and your VMs. Furthermore, taking snapshots of your VMs is useful for saving their current state and reverting to them later. You can also clone your VMs to create copies or templates for future use. Moreover, encrypting your VMs will protect their data and settings while backing them up will prevent data loss or corruption. Lastly, you can migrate your VMs to another host system or hypervisor.

7 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?