Difference between revisions of "VirtualBox"

{{tip|virtualisation is not the same as emulation. Whereas emulation makes your computer think that it is something else (such as an arcade machine or games console), virtualisation instead creates one or more virtual versions of your computer.}}

{{tip|virtualisation is not the same as emulation. Whereas emulation makes your computer think that it is something else (such as an arcade machine or games console), virtualisation instead creates one or more virtual versions of your computer.}}

Developed by the Oracle Corporation, '''[https://www.virtualbox.org/ VirtualBox]''' is a popular application that allows for other operating systems (known as ''Guests'') to be installed and run within an existing operating system (known as the ''Host''). This is undertaken through the process of ''virtualisation'', whereby virtual versions of your computer (also referred to as ''virtual machines'' or ''VMs'') are created within and draw resources directly from the host system. As such, how fast or powerful a virtual machine may be will depend entirely on the resources available - and allocated - for it to use. The benefits of virtualisation include:

Developed by the Oracle Corporation, '''[https://www.virtualbox.org/ VirtualBox]''' is a popular application that allows for other operating systems (known as ''Guests'') to be installed and run within an existing operating system (known as the ''Host''). This is undertaken through the process of ''virtualisation'', whereby virtual versions of your computer (also referred to as ''virtual machines'' or ''VMs'') are created within and draw resources directly from the host system. As such, how fast or powerful a virtual machine may be will depend entirely on the resources available - and allocated - for it to use. The benefits of virtualisation include:

* The fast and easy installation of other operating systems without affecting your existing system (e.g. no need for dual booting and/or preparation in the form of hard disk partitioning or re-sizing)

* The fast and easy installation of other operating systems without affecting your existing system (e.g. no need for dual booting and/or preparation in the form of hard disk partitioning or re-sizing)