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Virtualization and Containers

What is Virtualization?​

Virtualization1 is the process of creating a software-based representation of physical computing resources, such as servers, storage, or networks. Instead of running multiple applications on a single physical machine, virtualization allows multiple virtual machines (VMs)2 to operate on a single host.

Benefits of Virtualization​

  • Resource Efficiency – Multiple virtual machines share the same physical hardware.
  • Isolation – Each virtual machine runs in an independent environment3.
  • Flexibility – Easily migrate or scale virtualized applications.

What is a Virtual Machine?​

A Virtual Machine (VM)2 is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. It runs an entire operating system (OS) inside a host system, providing an isolated environment for applications.

How Virtual Machines Work​

  1. Hypervisor4 manages multiple virtual machines.
  2. Each VM has its own OS, kernel, and dependencies5.
  3. Resources like CPU, memory, and disk storage are virtualized6 and allocated dynamically.

What are Containers?​

Containers7 are lightweight, portable environments that package an application with its dependencies but share the host OS kernel instead of running a separate OS like VMs.

Key Differences Between Containers and Virtual Machines​

FeatureVirtual MachinesContainers
OS OverheadEach VM has its own OS8Shares the host OS9
Startup TimeSlower (minutes)Faster (seconds)
Resource UseHigh (multiple OS instances)Low (shared kernel)
PortabilityLimited to VM environmentsRuns anywhere Docker is supported

Why Containers are More Efficient​

1. No Full OS Overhead​

Unlike VMs that require an entire operating system, containers share the host OS. This makes them faster and more lightweight9.

2. Better Dependency Management​

Containers package all required dependencies5 with the application, preventing version conflicts.

3. Improved Application Isolation​

Each container operates in its own isolated environment3, preventing interference between applications.

Containers vs. Virtual Machines: When to Use What?​

  • Use Virtual Machines when running legacy applications10 or software that requires full OS-level control.
  • Use Containers when deploying scalable, lightweight applications that need portability and rapid scaling.

Footnotes​

Footnotes​

  1. Virtualization – The process of creating a virtual version of computing resources, such as servers or networks, allowing multiple systems to run on a single machine. ↩

  2. Virtual Machine (VM) – A software-based emulation of a physical computer that runs its own OS and applications in an isolated environment. ↩ ↩2

  3. Isolation – The separation of computing environments so that one application does not interfere with another, ensuring security and stability. ↩ ↩2

  4. Hypervisor – Software that manages multiple virtual machines on a single physical server, allocating resources and handling OS virtualization. ↩

  5. Dependencies – External software packages, libraries, or frameworks that an application requires to function correctly. ↩ ↩2

  6. Virtualization of Resources – The abstraction of hardware components such as CPU, RAM, and storage to be allocated dynamically across multiple virtualized environments. ↩

  7. Containers – Lightweight, portable environments that package an application and its dependencies while sharing the host OS kernel. ↩

  8. OS Overhead in VMs – Each virtual machine runs a full operating system, leading to higher resource consumption and longer startup times. ↩

  9. Shared Kernel in Containers – Unlike VMs, containers do not require a separate OS; they share the host system's kernel, reducing overhead and improving efficiency. ↩ ↩2

  10. Legacy Applications – Older software systems that may not be optimized for containerization and often require a full virtual machine environment to run properly. ↩