With the increasing complexity and diversity of software environments, the use of virtual machines (VMs) has emerged as a robust solution for challenges in the development, testing, and execution of systems.
In this article, we’ll explore what a virtual machine is, its key advantages for a company, and how to use VMs in conjunction with Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Check it out!
What is a virtual machine and how does it work?
A virtual machine (VM), also known as a guest or guest virtual machine, refers to a virtualized computing environment created using software to emulate the operation of physical hardware, such as a CPU, disk, and network devices. The existing operating system on the machine is known as the host, and it is responsible for hosting the guest systems.
In other words, a virtual machine is a representation of a computer system within another system, allowing a physical server to host multiple virtual machines simultaneously, each capable of running its independent operating system.
Virtual machines operate through virtualization (hypervisor), a process that creates an abstraction layer between the computer’s physical hardware and the running operating system.
Virtual machine in the cloud
In addition to a virtual machine hosted on physical hardware, there’s also the possibility of creating a VM running on a cloud system, emulating various operating systems on platforms like Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Service (AWS), and Microsoft Azure.
This type of VM operates on a remote server maintained by one of the mentioned providers. Typically, using a virtual machine in the cloud is recommended for medium and large enterprises due to cost considerations.
Its usage includes hosting applications, data analysis, software development and testing, and more.
Advantages of virtual machines (VMs): why use them?
Virtual machines play a crucial role by allowing the creation of various differentiated environments within the same computer. This enables testing without modifying the main workspace.
Here are the key benefits of using virtualization of machines:
- Creation of multiple virtual machines to access different operating systems within the same physical machine, provided that the computer has internal space to store virtual disks;
- Running various applications simultaneously occurs independently in isolated systems, ensuring that possible failures do not affect other virtual machines.
- Testing other applications without modifying the main workspace;
- The ability to run two or more applications simultaneously, as each virtual machine operates in an isolated environment, acting as a sandbox;
- Running multiple parallel automations with high performance and speed, as seen in Python RPA automations;
- Adopting virtual machines on the same computer reduces costs associated with hardware acquisition and maintenance;
- Optimizing the operation of the environment facilitates the management, migration, and replication of computers.
Virtual machine vs. container: when is VM more suitable?
Virtual machines offer superior operational capability compared to containers, making them a preferential choice for handling monolithic workloads due to their ability to manage complex tasks.
However, this versatility results in lower portability since virtual machines depend on the operating system, applications, and libraries. Virtual machines are particularly suitable for:
- Managing monolithic, traditional, and legacy system architectures.
- Separating development environments that pose risks.
- Allocating infrastructure resources, including networks, servers, and data storage.
- Allowing the operation of a different operating system within another, such as running Windows in a Linux environment.
Virtual machine for RPA automations: how to use?
Combining Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology with virtual machines can be an excellent option to optimize your company’s results.
BotCity offers tools for RPA development and orchestration in Python. One of its advantages is the ability to operate multiple RPAs simultaneously in the same execution environment.
In web automations operating in headless mode (background, without a graphical interface), you can run them on a single VM, with each automation having its distinct process in headless mode.
This significantly increases the scalability of Python RPA operations, which is crucial in environments where the demand for data processing and simultaneous tasks is high.
It’s essential to note that the location where the automation will be executed depends on the process to be addressed. Execution can take place on the user’s machine, a server computer, a virtual machine, or in the cloud.
Ready to use a virtual machine?
We hope this content has clarified everything about virtual machines and the conveniences that their use can provide for companies seeking growth. As we’ve seen, opting for this technology can optimize your organization’s processes.
To scale your business even further, combining RPA automation with VMs is an excellent strategy. You can start right now with BotCity, a high-code platform that stands out for its flexibility and the possibility of unlimited customizations, focusing on Python automations.
After all, this language is familiar to most developers and is ideal for businesses seeking greater autonomy and control over complex processes.
So, schedule a conversation with our experts, or if you want to try BotCity on your own, feel free to create a free account.
