2025 SA1 Operating Systems Complete Practice Test

Virtualization refers to the process of creating multiple simulated environments or virtual instances from a single physical resource. This technology allows for the abstraction of physical hardware, enabling multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server. Each virtual machine operates as an independent system, complete with its own operating system and applications, while sharing the underlying hardware resources of the host server.

This approach not only optimizes resource utilization by allowing multiple workloads to coexist on the same physical machine but also facilitates easier management, scalability, and isolation of applications. It is a foundational concept in modern computing environments, particularly in data centers and cloud computing, where efficient use of physical resources is critical.

The other options, while related to virtualization, do not fully encapsulate its definition. Running multiple operating systems is a specific case of virtualization but doesn't capture the broader concept of creating simulated environments. Maximizing hardware efficiency and utilizing physical servers involve aspects of virtualization but are more about the outcomes rather than the core definition of virtualization itself.