Physical Server Vs Virtual Machine

What is a Physical Server?

A physical server is a real, tangible computer (hardware) located in a data center or server room. It runs one operating system directly on powerful hardware components like CPU, RAM, and storage.

Real-World Example of a Physical Server

Imagine a single powerful computer in a company that runs different services like websites, file storage, and databases.

This computer is the physical server.

What is a Virtual Machine (VM)?

A virtual machine is a software-based computer that runs inside a physical server using virtualization. It behaves like a real computer with its own OS, CPU, RAM, and storage.

Simple Example of a VM

Think of the physical server as a building. Each VM is a separate apartment with its own furniture (OS and apps) but shares the same building and resources.