What is guest OS? - Definition from Whatis.com

Home
guest OS

Definition

guest OS

A guest OS is an operating system that is installed in a virtual machine or disk partition in addition to the host or main OS. In virtualization, a single computer can run more than one OS at the same time. In disk partitioning, a guest OS must be the same as the host OS. In a virtualization solution, a guest OS can be different from the host OS.

A program called Boot Camp allows users of Intel-based Macintosh (Mac) computers to run Windows XP as the guest OS. Once Boot Camp has been installed on the Mac's hard disk, the user can boot the computer using either Mac OS X or Windows XP.

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 August 2006

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 provides a comprehensive introduction to virtualization.

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
- Using VMware Fusion for Mac to get more from your Windows VM
  
  VMware Fusion for Mac is a boon for IT pros that work with various OSes. VMware Fusion 4, in particular, can create snapshots and allow a Windows VM to use built-in Mac devices.
- VMware ESXi security FAQ: Guarding the hypervisor, hosts and more
  
  As the sole hypervisor of vSphere 5, you need to know the ins and outs of VMware ESXi, especially when it comes to securing the hypervisor and ESXi hosts.
- Storing VMware ESXi syslog events on a remote Linux server
  
  Designating a remote Linux server to record VMware ESXi syslog events allows you to access that important information, even if the ESXi host crashes.
Windows Server
- Bringing Windows RDS to the web: Designing the DMZ
  
  Remote Desktop Gateway secures Internet access for Remote Desktop Services applications – if you set it up properly.
- Deciding between blade and rack-mount gear for Windows Server 2008
  
  Are you looking for scalability or performance? It's important to understand your needs before choosing a Windows Server hardware solution.
- Kerberos platform interoperability connects Windows to the rest of the world
  
  The Kerberos authentication protocol ensures safe connections between multiple platforms. Find out just how it creates secure connections in this overview.
Cloud computing
- Digging deeper into IBM SmartCloud for private clouds
  
  IBM SmartCloud services give enterprises some options to build private and hybrid clouds and may give IBM a chance to improve its lagging cloud image.
- Hybrid cloud management tools and strategies
  
  Determining how to manage hybrid clouds can seem daunting. The trick is to identify what you need to manage and the best types of tools for the job.
- Six principles of HP Cloud Services
  
  Lining up cloud platforms from major vendors can cause vertigo. What’s the difference among private cloud products? Take a look at HP Cloud Services.
Virtual Desktop
- How virtual desktops enhance a virtualization disaster recovery strategy
  
  When disaster strikes a virtual infrastructure, it's a mad dash to get apps back on track. But with virtual desktops in your DR strategy, you won't be out of breath.
- VMware vSphere Storage Appliance could lower the cost of small VDI
  
  Using the vSphere Storage Appliance with VMware View could help small VDI implementations save money up front and make it easier to grow.
- Weighing cloud-hosted virtual desktops vs. VDI
  
  IT pros don't trust public cloud services, but the benefits of outsourcing virtualized desktops to a cloud provider may outweigh the risks.
Data Center
- Data center experts push back on ASHRAE economizer requirements
  
  An addendum to the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 energy standard could ease energy efficiency requirements on anyone building or significantly expanding data centers in the U.S.
- Punch up database performance by reorganizing data
  
  A well-timed mainframe database reorg can result in much improved response.
- How to find the right systems management tool for the job
  
  Point tools or management frameworks? Set realistic goals and criteria before choosing a systems management tool.

All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2006 - 2012, TechTarget