Virtual Machine (VM): A software-based computer that runs on a physical server, with its own operating system, as if it were a separate machine.
Example
You are given a Linux virtual machine in the cloud to run and test your application.
Why Virtual Machine (VM) matters for IT interns
Virtual machines are a basic cloud building block, and you may be given one to work on.
Where you will hear it
You will hear this term when your team builds, deploys, and runs software on servers and cloud platforms. If someone uses it and you are not sure what they mean in your project, it is completely fine to ask; every team uses terms a little differently.
Related terms
- Google Cloud: Google’s cloud platform (often called GCP), with services for computing, storage, data analytics and AI.
- Kubernetes: A system for running and managing many containers across many servers — starting them, restarting failed ones…
- Microsoft Azure: Microsoft’s cloud platform, offering services such as virtual machines, databases, storage and AI tools.
- Monitoring: Continuously tracking an application’s health — errors, speed and usage — and alerting the team when…
- Scalability: A system’s ability to handle more users or data by adding resources, without slowing down or breaking.
- Server: A computer, physical or virtual, that provides a service to other computers — such as running a website, an…
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Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Virtual Machine (VM)?
A software-based computer that runs on a physical server, with its own operating system, as if it were a separate machine.
What is an example of Virtual Machine (VM)?
You are given a Linux virtual machine in the cloud to run and test your application.
Why does Virtual Machine (VM) matter for IT interns?
Virtual machines are a basic cloud building block, and you may be given one to work on.
Explore more internship terms
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About the author
Dhaivat has 16+ years of experience in the IT industry, working on AI and cloud technologies, project delivery, and engineering leadership. He has interviewed and mentored many interns, wrote The Lost Intern, and runs the non-commercial Career Impact Initiative, mentoring students for free.