1. Virtual Machine (Guest OS): A guest operating system is a separate and independent operating system that runs within a virtual machine (VM). Each VM acts as a virtual computer, complete with its CPU, memory, storage, and network interface. Guest operating systems can be of different types, such as Windows, Linux, or macOS. They are installed and run independently within the virtual machine environment provided by the virtualization software.
2. Host Operating System: The host operating system is the underlying operating system that runs on the physical hardware of the system or server. It acts as the host for the virtual machines and manages the allocation of resources, such as CPU, memory, storage, and network bandwidth, to the guest operating systems. The host operating system is responsible for controlling the interaction between the hardware and the virtual machines.
3. Virtualization Software (Hypervisor): The virtualization software, also known as a hypervisor, is the core component that enables virtualization. It sits between the physical hardware and the guest operating systems. The hypervisor creates a virtual environment for each guest operating system, allowing it to run its processes and programs independently. It is responsible for scheduling and managing the resources between the different virtual machines while also ensuring their isolation and security.
In summary, the guest operating systems run within virtual machines that are hosted on the underlying host operating system. The virtualization software acts as the interface between the physical hardware and the guest operating systems, providing them with the necessary resources and managing their execution. This relationship allows multiple operating systems to coexist on a single physical server or workstation, optimizing resource utilization and enhancing flexibility in IT environments.