Examining the Anatomy of a Virtual Machine

Summary

In this chapter, we covered everything from basic hardware and networking to commercial and open-source VM applications. You now have a good idea of how hardware can be virtualized through emulation and mapping techniques and can readily visualize an entire VM as a database with lots of stuff in it. More important, you recognize the value of virtualization software in the enterprise and in education—virtualization can protect networks from disasters, quickly deploy new systems, decrease administrative overhead, leverage existing hardware investments, and simulate entire networks.

In Chapter 2, you’ll learn how to prepare a host system for virtual machines, and you’ll look at the many gotchas and common pitfalls that often go unnoticed. Then, with your understanding of VM nomenclature and concepts, you’ll be ready to tackle Chapter 3 and the rest of this book.