Understanding virtual machines / virtualization
In the cloud computing paradigm, virtual machines (VMs) play a central role in delivering scalable and flexible computing resources to users. Cloud VMs function similarly to traditional VMs, but they are hosted and managed within cloud environments by CSPs. Users can provision VMs on-demand, specifying the desired computing resources such as processing power, memory, and storage, without the need to invest in and maintain physical hardware. This flexibility allows organizations to scale their computational capacity dynamically, adapting to changing workloads and demands in a cost-effective manner.
Cloud VMs offer several advantages, including the following:
- Rapid deployment, resource efficiency, and the ability to run diverse operating systems and applications in isolated environments
- Users can choose from a variety of pre-configured VM images or create custom images to meet specific requirements.
- Cloud providers often...