VMs are software-based environments that act as fully independent computers on an existing hardware system. They make use of software known as Hypervisor to divide hardware resources such as CPU, memory and storage. Then the virtual machine can run another operating system (OS) like Windows for business applications, and Linux for software development.
Virtual systems minimize the chance of a system breakdown, and let you restore your data quickly back to a previous date. It also lets you test and deploy existing or new applications in a sandbox environment to ensure that they work as expected, without disrupting production.
The capability to host multiple VMs on one physical server means that you’ll need less equipment as well as lower capital and operational costs. It also eliminates duplicate or backup systems and reduces the amount of data you have to keep. And, with cloud-based VMs it’s simple to access your data from any location with an internet connection, and eliminate the need for offsite backup locations.
A VM can be run on any hardware that meets your requirements for performance including servers and desktops. The type of Hypervisor utilized is a crucial factor since every solution has its own pros and cons for small businesses. VMware VSphere and ESX/ESXi is the most popular choice. This is a solution for businesses that provides enhanced security, hosts with up to 6 TB RAM and 128 vCPUs, role-based accessibility, extensive logging, and auditing. Another popular option is Microsoft Hyper-V. It is less expensive and more manageable than vSphere but has the same capabilities.