Virtual Machine
Definition
A fake computer that runs inside a real computer, allowing multiple operating systems to operate simultaneously on a single device.
Use Cases
- Netflix: Content delivery and streaming — Netflix uses virtual machines on AWS to scale their streaming services globally, ensuring high availability and performance. (Netflix achieved a scalable and reliable infrastructure capable of handling millions of concurrent users.)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: Amazon EC2
- Azure: Azure Virtual Machines
- GCP: Google Compute Engine
- OCI: OCI Compute
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between Virtual Machine and Container?
- Virtual Machines emulate entire operating systems, while containers share the host OS kernel and are more lightweight, making them faster to start and stop.
- When should I use a Virtual Machine?
- Use a Virtual Machine when you need to run multiple operating systems on a single hardware, require strong isolation, or need to run legacy applications.
- How much does a Virtual Machine cost?
- Costs vary based on provider, configuration, and usage. Pricing is typically based on factors like CPU, memory, storage, and duration of use.
Category: cloud
Difficulty: basic
Related Terms
See Also