What is bare metal environment? - Definition from WhatIs.com

Definition

bare metal environment

A bare metal environment is a computer system or network in which a virtual machine is installed directly on hardware rather than within the host operating system (OS). The term "bare metal" refers to a hard disk, the usual medium on which a computer's OS is installed.

The term virtualization refers to the creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as an OS, a server or a network resource. A virtual machine is a multi-user shared-resource OS that gives each user the impression of having sole control of all computer or network resources.

Related glossary terms: GSX Server, root partition, SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture) , systems management, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), virtual private server (VPS) or virtual dedicated server (VDS), live migration, physical to virtual (P2V) , Our Favorite Technology Blogs, Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM)

This was last updated in October 2006

Editorial Director: Margaret Rouse

Email Alerts

Register now to receive SearchServerVirtualization.com-related news, tips and more, delivered to your inbox.

By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Privacy

Dig Deeper

Quiz: Private cloud characteristics and strategies

Before you take the private cloud quiz, review this study guide and the lessons in our Virtualization School on private cloud computing.
VMware Lab Manager users want clarity on vCloud Director

With significant overlap between key VMware products, users see the writing on the wall for Lab Manager, Will vCloud Director take Lab Manager's place?
Citrix XenDesktop? Thanks, but no thanks, firm says

Faced with a choice between published applications on Citrix XenApp and hosted desktops based on XenDesktop VDI, Bimba Manufacturing opted to stick with the devil it knew.

People who read this also read...
Resources from around the Web
- Amit Singh discusses the history of virtual machines.
- Andrey Savochkin explains how virtualization works.

Show me more

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Research More Tech Terms

Search thousands of tech definitions
Browse tech definitions
Browse Alphabetically:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- #

Powered by WhatIs.com

File Extensions and File Formats

File Extension and File Formats List:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#

Powered by WhatIs.com

More from Related TechTarget Sites

VMware
Windows Server
Cloud computing
Virtual Desktop
Data Center

VMware
- Why vCloud Architect will be the next must-have cloud certification
  
  While there is no official VMware cloud certification yet, IT pros hoping to get ahead should abandon the siloed approach to IT and prepare to lead their organization to the cloud.
- Promoting green initiatives with VMware software
  
  Green initiatives aren’t just for data centers. Reducing electricity use and preventing e-waste at home can be as simple as using free VMware software to virtualize desktops.
- Replacing self-signed SSL certificates to improve ESXi security
  
  VMware’s default, self-signed SSL certificates ensure data encryption. By importing certificates from trusted, third-parties, however, you can improve ESXi security even further.
Windows Server
- Quiz: What do you know about Microsoft Hyper-V 3.0?
  
  Test your virtualization knowledge by answering these questions about Microsoft's latest hypervisor offering.
- IT Quiz: Test your Active Directory knowledge
  
  It pays to know about Active Directory. Test your knowledge with a quick quiz.
- How P2V tools can help you choose between Hyper-V and VMware
  
  Hyper-V or VMware? The question's not going away, but migration planning products can help you give a more informed answer.
Cloud computing
- Citrix readies CloudPlatform on CloudStack in bid for enterprise cloud
  
  Compatibility with Amazon, a slew of cloud tools and its upcoming CloudPlatform could help virtualization titan Citrix become a serious cloud vendor.
- Alleviating BYOD security issues using private cloud
  
  Centralizing security management in a private cloud is an easy way to fend off malware attacks and adhere to BYOD security policies.
- Test your Windows Azure IQ
  
  Windows Azure will be an integral part of Microsoft’s cloud computing strategy going forward. How high is your IQ on the product? Find out by taking our quiz.
Virtual Desktop
- Four sessions I'm looking forward to at BriForum
  
  BriForum London covers everything from Microsoft VDI licensing to best practices for optimizing VDI workloads -- and even a session on how to fail at VDI.
- Getting users involved in VDI testing
  
  Don't leave your VDI testing results to chance. Be sure to include your users in the virtual desktop testing process. A successful implementation may hinge upon their happiness.
- NVIDIA's virtualized GPU eliminates VDI graphics performance barriers
  
  VDI isn't known for delivering high-end graphics with great performance, but NVIDIA's virtualized GPU is about to transform virtual desktop graphics.
Data Center
- Are private data centers an endangered species?
  
  Businesses can save millions by leasing data center space rather than building their own, but some feel private data centers are the best bet.
- Facebook Open Compute Project a role model for data centers
  
  Data center experts say most enterprises can’t imitate Facebook’s Open Compute Project, but they could reap the benefits over time.
- Optimize data center virtualization with strategic capacity planning
  
  Use strategic capacity planning to future-proof your data center's virtualization efficiency and make the most of server hardware.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2006 - 2012, TechTarget