AI engineering glossary · Computing foundations
What is VM (virtual machine)?
Virtual machine (also called VM): A software imitation of a complete computer that runs its own operating system on top of real hardware, isolated from other virtual machines on the same host. Cloud providers use them to rent out slices of powerful servers.
Virtual machine: an example
A cloud provider can run ten customers' virtual machines on one physical server.
Related terms
More Computing foundations terms
- Virtual memory
- Virtual private network
- Von Neumann architecture
- VRAM
- Wide area network
- x86
- Application programming interface
- ARM architecture
Where you learn it
Virtual machine is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.