VMs are software systems that operate as completely independent computers inside a hardware system. They utilize a piece of software called a hypervisor to separate hardware resources like memory, CPU, and storage. A virtual machine can then use a different operating system, like Windows for business applications or Linux for software development.

Virtual systems minimize the chance of a system breakdown, and let you restore your data quickly to an earlier date. You can also test and deploy new or legacy applications in a sandbox, to ensure that they function according to plan without disrupting production.

The ability to run multiple VMs on one physical server means you need less equipment and lower capital and operating costs. It also eliminates the need for duplicate or backup your systems and reduces the amount of data you’ll need to keep. And, with cloud-based VMs, it’s easy to access your data from anywhere connected to the internet and eliminate the need for offsite backup locations.

A VM can run on any hardware that meets your requirements for performance including servers and desktops. The type of Hypervisor you choose to use is an important factor as each has its own pros and cons for small companies. VMware VSphere and ESX/ESXi is the most popular IT infrastructure: the backbone of modern enterprises choice. This is an enterprise-ready option with increased security hosts that are able to be created with up to 128 virtual CPUs and 6TB of RAM, access based on role, extensive logging and auditing. Another option that is popular is Microsoft Hyper-V. It is cheaper and simpler to manage than vSphere but provides the same capabilities.