![[Virtual machines]](https://yourselfhood.com/storage/2024/07/machines-1747889_960_720.jpg)
Virtual machines are commonly used for various purposes, such as testing software on different operating systems, running legacy applications, isolating applications for security reasons, and server consolidation. They provide a flexible and cost-effective way to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical machine.
There are different types of virtual machines, including system virtual machines, which emulate the complete hardware of a physical computer, and process virtual machines, which provide a virtualized environment for running applications. Popular virtual machine software includes VMware, VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V.
Overall, virtual machines offer a convenient way to optimize resource utilization, improve scalability, and enhance flexibility in managing IT infrastructure.