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Virtual Machine Architecture

Virtual Machines (VMs) are software emulations of physical computers that enable virtualization and cloud services, categorized into System Virtual Machines and Process Virtual Machines. System VMs emulate complete hardware environments managed by hypervisors, while Process VMs provide platform-independent runtime for single programs. Both types enhance resource utilization, security, and application portability.

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6 views1 page

Virtual Machine Architecture

Virtual Machines (VMs) are software emulations of physical computers that enable virtualization and cloud services, categorized into System Virtual Machines and Process Virtual Machines. System VMs emulate complete hardware environments managed by hypervisors, while Process VMs provide platform-independent runtime for single programs. Both types enhance resource utilization, security, and application portability.

Uploaded by

ajaysubramani16
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Types of Virtual Machines and Their Architecture

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software emulation of a physical computer that runs an operating
system and applications just like a physical machine. VMs are a cornerstone of modern computing,
enabling virtualization, cloud services, software testing, and development. They provide an isolated
environment, efficient resource utilization, and enhanced security. There are two primary types of
virtual machines: System Virtual Machines and Process Virtual Machines.

1. System Virtual Machines


System Virtual Machines emulate complete hardware environments and allow multiple operating
systems to run on a single physical host. They are managed by a software component called the
Hypervisor. Key Layers: - Hardware: Physical components like CPU, RAM, and storage. -
Hypervisor: Software layer that abstracts and allocates hardware resources. It can be: - Type 1
(Bare-metal): Runs directly on hardware (e.g., VMware ESXi). - Type 2 (Hosted): Runs on a host
operating system (e.g., VirtualBox). - Host OS: Present only in Type 2 virtualization. - Guest OS:
The operating system installed within the VM. - Applications: Software running within the guest
OS. Implementation: Implemented using hypervisors such as VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM. Users
configure VMs by allocating virtual CPUs, RAM, storage, and networking.

2. Process Virtual Machines


Process Virtual Machines are designed to execute a single program, offering a
platform-independent runtime environment. Key Layers: - Hardware: Underlying physical system.
- Host OS: The installed operating system. - VM Runtime: Interprets and manages program
execution (e.g., JVM, CLR). - Application Code: Code written in a language that targets the VM
runtime (e.g., Java, .NET). Implementation: Implemented using runtime environments such as the
Java Virtual Machine (JVM) or .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR). These VMs enable
cross-platform compatibility and application portability.

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