Description: A Virtual Machine Manager is software that provides management capabilities for virtual machines, allowing administrators to create, configure, monitor, and maintain virtualized environments. This type of software is essential in modern IT infrastructure as it facilitates resource optimization, scalability, and flexibility in application deployment. Virtual machine managers enable the execution of multiple operating systems on a single physical hardware, maximizing the utilization of available resources. Additionally, they offer features such as virtual network management, storage, security, and backups, simplifying the administration of complex environments. In the context of platforms like cloud services and KVM, these managers integrate with various virtualization solutions, providing a unified and efficient experience for managing resources in both on-premises and cloud environments.
History: The concept of virtualization began to develop in the 1960s, but it was in the 1990s that it gained popularity with the arrival of solutions like VMware. Over time, virtualization has become a key component in IT infrastructure, driving the creation of more sophisticated virtual machine managers. Azure Arc, launched in 2019, represents a significant advancement by allowing the management of resources across multiple environments, both in the cloud and on-premises. KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), on the other hand, was introduced in 2006 as part of the Linux kernel, enabling users to run multiple operating systems on a single physical server.
Uses: Virtual machine managers are primarily used in development and testing environments, allowing developers to quickly create and destroy environments. They are also essential in implementing hybrid cloud solutions, where managing resources both in the cloud and on-premises is required. Additionally, they are used for server consolidation, reducing operational costs and improving energy efficiency. In the security realm, they allow the creation of isolated environments for software testing and malware analysis.
Examples: An example of a virtual machine manager is VMware vSphere, which allows the management of virtualized environments in data centers. Azure Arc enables the management of virtual machines across multiple environments, integrating on-premises and cloud resources. KVM is a virtualization manager widely used in Linux servers, allowing the execution of multiple operating systems on a single physical server.
