public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:v:virtual_machine

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public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:v:virtual_machine [2026/09/12 17:42] – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:v:virtual_machine [2026/09/12 17:43] (current) – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation nick_dido
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 +====== Virtual Machine ======
  
 +[[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:start|Go to Terms and Definitions]]
 +
 +===== Discussion =====
 +
 +A Virtual Machine is a software-defined computing subject that operates through virtualized processor, memory, storage, network, and other computing resources supplied by a virtualization platform.
 +
 +A Virtual Machine may include:
 +
 +  * Virtual processors
 +  * Virtual memory
 +  * Virtual storage devices
 +  * Virtual network interfaces
 +  * Firmware or boot configuration
 +  * An operating system
 +  * Installed software
 +  * Runtime configuration
 +  * Attached persistent storage
 +  * Security and identity configuration
 +
 +A virtualization platform creates a Virtual Machine from an applicable configuration and may use a [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:m:machine_image|Machine Image]] to initialize its software and filesystem content.
 +
 +A Virtual Machine differs from a Machine Image:
 +
 +  * A Machine Image is an [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:i:image|Image]] used to instantiate a Virtual Machine
 +  * A Virtual Machine is the instantiated computing subject
 +
 +Multiple Virtual Machines may be instantiated from the same Machine Image while maintaining separate runtime state.
 +
 +A Virtual Machine differs from a physical machine:
 +
 +  * A Virtual Machine uses virtualized computing resources
 +  * A physical machine uses directly associated physical computing resources
 +
 +A Virtual Machine differs from a container:
 +
 +  * A Virtual Machine generally includes or executes its own guest operating system
 +  * A container generally shares operating-system kernel capabilities supplied by its host environment
 +
 +The exact boundary depends on the virtualization and container technologies used.
 +
 +===== Definition =====
 +
 +//software-defined computing subject that operates through virtualized computing resources supplied by a virtualization platform//
 +
 +===== Source =====
 +
 +Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.
 +
 +===== Note =====
 +
 +A Virtual Machine may be:
 +
 +  * Created
 +  * Started
 +  * Stopped
 +  * Suspended
 +  * Resumed
 +  * Reconfigured
 +  * Replaced
 +  * Migrated
 +  * Snapshotted
 +  * Retired
 +
 +A Virtual Machine does not by itself establish that the subject is:
 +
 +  * Authorized for operation
 +  * Compliant with an applicable [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:b:baseline|Baseline]]
 +  * Securely configured
 +  * Free from vulnerabilities
 +  * Connected to a network
 +  * Persistent
 +  * Suitable for a specified purpose
 +
 +Separate requirements govern those determinations.
 +
 +The term does not prescribe a particular hypervisor, virtualization platform, processor architecture, operating system, cloud provider, or [[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:p:provider_implementation|Provider Implementation]].
 +
 +===== Example =====
 +
 +[[public:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:c:crucible|Crucible]] deploys a Virtual Machine by selecting a Machine Image, allocating virtual processors, memory, storage, and network interfaces, and instructing the target virtualization platform to instantiate the computing subject.
 +
 +----
 +
 +<WRAP centeralign>
 +© 2026 Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.
 +</WRAP>