Summary
Highlights
Virtualization allows one physical device to run multiple operating systems simultaneously, each with dedicated resources like CPU, memory, and network connections. This is known as host-based virtualization when done on a desktop, or in enterprise environments where multiple virtual machines (VMs) run on a single server without a desktop. Virtualization has been around since 1967, originating with IBM mainframes.
Virtual machines (VMs) are useful for application development, particularly for sandboxing. Sandboxing creates an isolated environment for testing code without affecting the main operating system. Developers can take snapshots of VMs, make changes, and easily revert if issues arise. This allows testing across multiple operating systems and mimicking production environments for accurate testing.
Virtualization enables users to run applications that might only be compatible with specific operating systems. For instance, a user with Windows 11 can run Windows 10 applications on a virtual machine without rebooting. This cross-platform virtualization allows running different OS like Mac OS, Windows, and Linux simultaneously on one machine and switching between them on demand, saving time and resources.
The video demonstrates cross-platform virtualization by showing a Mac OS desktop simultaneously running a native Mac OS browser, a Windows instance with Windows applications, and a Linux window with Linux applications. This setup highlights the flexibility of starting and stopping different operating systems and using various applications without rebooting, regardless of their native OS.