Virtual machine

Definition

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that runs an operating system and applications just like a real machine. VMs allow multiple operating systems to operate on a single physical hardware system, providing a flexible environment for running software and preserving digital art environments. By isolating applications within a VM, users can effectively mimic the original context in which digital art was created or displayed, ensuring longevity and accessibility.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Virtual machines can run different operating systems on the same physical machine, allowing for diverse digital art applications and tools.
2. VMs are crucial for preserving digital art environments because they can replicate legacy systems that might not be compatible with modern hardware.
3. Snapshots in virtual machines provide a way to save and restore the state of the environment, which is vital for managing experiments or installations of digital art.
4. Virtual machines can enhance security by isolating potentially vulnerable applications from the host system, reducing the risk of affecting the entire environment.
5. The flexibility of VMs allows artists and curators to recreate historical contexts for digital artworks, facilitating research and preservation efforts.

Review Questions

• How does a virtual machine enhance the preservation of digital art environments?
  • A virtual machine enhances preservation by replicating the original environment where digital art was created or displayed. This means that artists and curators can maintain access to specific software and operating systems that may no longer be compatible with modern hardware. By isolating the artwork within a VM, it ensures that its functionality remains intact and that it can be experienced as intended, contributing significantly to its preservation.
• Discuss the role of hypervisors in managing virtual machines and how they relate to digital art preservation.
  • Hypervisors are essential for managing virtual machines as they facilitate the creation and execution of VMs on physical hardware. In the context of digital art preservation, hypervisors allow curators to run multiple instances of various operating systems simultaneously. This capability enables them to host diverse artworks that require different environments, ensuring that artists’ original intentions are preserved without needing specific legacy hardware.
• Evaluate the impact of virtualization on the future of digital art preservation strategies.
  • Virtualization is set to revolutionize digital art preservation by providing innovative solutions for archiving and maintaining access to works that rely on outdated technology. The ability to create virtual machines allows institutions to bypass obsolescence issues, ensuring that even rare or niche software remains operational. Furthermore, as technology evolves, virtualization will support ongoing updates and adaptations, making it possible for future generations to engage with historical digital artworks in their authentic forms while also allowing for interactive experiences that might not be feasible with physical systems.

Related terms

Hypervisor: A hypervisor is software that creates and manages virtual machines, allowing multiple VMs to share the same physical hardware resources.

Emulation:

Emulation refers to the ability of one system to imitate the functions of another, allowing software or hardware designed for one environment to run on a different platform.

Snapshot: A snapshot is a saved state of a virtual machine at a specific point in time, enabling users to revert to that state if needed.