What does virtualization in operating systems allow?

Virtualization in operating systems primarily enables the creation of virtual instances of operating systems on a single physical machine. This process involves using a hypervisor, which serves as a middle layer, to manage and allocate the physical resources of the host machine, such as CPU, memory, and storage, among the multiple virtual machines. Each of these virtual machines can run its own operating system and applications independently, allowing for efficient resource utilization and isolation between different environments.

This capability is particularly beneficial for testing software in various environments, running legacy applications, or consolidating servers to reduce hardware costs. By running multiple operating systems on one physical machine, organizations can optimize resource use and streamline both IT management and operational efficiency.