Virtual machine
A server VM runs a guest operating system. The operating model must clarify who handles the application, access and maintenance.
What is a virtual machine?
In server operations, a virtual machine (VM) is a virtual computer with a guest operating system and allocated compute, memory, storage and network resources. NIST explains how the hypervisor provides this environment on physical hardware. Several VMs can share a host, so a VM is not necessarily a separate physical server.
Microsoft describes the remaining tasks for configuration, updates and installed software on Azure VMs. You must separately establish which additional services a specific offering includes. Providing the VM and operating your application are different tasks.
A VM for the customer portal
In the fictional example, VM-24 is provided with an operating system. The team installs the portal software, configures access and connects the database and file storage. It must also monitor whether users can complete the workflow and demonstrate a suitable recovery path.
The number of virtual processors and the amount of memory are configuration values. Whether they are sufficient for the application is shown by a test with its load and required response times. Those specifications alone do not establish guaranteed performance for every workflow.
Containers can also run on a VM. The VM is then the host for those containers; both concepts can be used together. The decision depends on which operational layers your team must actually control and maintain.
Sources
Related terms
- VirtualisationVirtualisation provides software with a simulated environment. For servers, a hypervisor allocates physical resources to separate virtual machines.
- ContainerA container runs application processes in an isolated environment. It can simplify deployment, while backups and operational responsibilities remain necessary.
- Return-PathReturn-Path records the SMTP reverse path in a header. It explains the technical route for error reports, not a person’s identity.
- Envelope-FromEnvelope-From identifies the SMTP sender for transport and error feedback. It must be distinguished from the visible sender address.
- DMARC aggregate reportA DMARC aggregate report summarises a reporting mail system’s domain checks over a period. It helps examine sending sources and misconfigurations.
- DMARC policyA DMARC policy describes the requested handling of failed domain checks. It repairs neither sending sources nor their alignment.
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