Virtualization

Containers vs Virtual Machines: When to Use What In modern software deployment, containers and virtual machines both help run apps, but they solve different problems. Understanding their trade-offs helps teams move faster while staying secure. A container packages an app and its dependencies into a single unit that runs on a shared host OS. It starts quickly, uses less memory, and can be replicated easily. A virtual machine, by contrast, emulates hardware, providing a separate kernel and guest OS. Each VM is isolated from others and from the host, with stronger fault separation but higher boot times and resource use. ...

Malware Analysis in the Sandbox: A Practical Approach A sandboxed setup lets researchers study harmful software without risking the real computer or network. By observing what a program does, you can learn its behavior, how it tries to hide, and what files or network endpoints it touches. A calm, repeatable process helps you collect reliable evidence and share findings with teammates. A sandbox is a controlled space. It uses a virtual machine or container, strict network rules, and monitoring tools. The goal is to isolate the malware while capturing enough signals to understand its actions. Before you begin, define a clear scope and keep all activities authorized and documented. ...

Inside Operating Systems: How Modern Kernels Manage Resources When you run apps, the kernel quietly coordinates CPU time, memory pages, disk input and output, and network traffic. Modern kernels aim to keep programs responsive, use hardware efficiently, and protect the system from crashes. They do this with a set of rules and tricks that happen mostly out of sight. How the CPU is shared The kernel uses a scheduler to decide which task runs next. It places tasks in run queues and gives them small time slices. If a task finishes its slice or waits for something, another task takes its turn. Most kernels use a mix of fair scheduling, priority hints, and sometimes random checks to avoid stuck processes. The goal is simple: keep interactive apps smooth while still giving background work a fair share of CPU time. ...

A Gentle Introduction to Operating Systems and How They Work An operating system (OS) is the software that helps all other programs run smoothly. It sits between your apps and the computer’s hardware. When you start a browser or a game, the OS decides who gets the CPU time, keeps memory organized, and talks to devices like the keyboard and screen. How an OS fits in Think of a computer as a busy kitchen. The CPU is the cook, memory is the pantry, and devices are tools. The OS acts as the kitchen manager. It schedules tasks, protects each program’s space, and provides a simple way for programs to ask for help. ...

Virtualization and Containers: The Modern IT Playground In modern IT, teams often juggle two core technologies: virtualization and containers. Both aim to make software more portable, reliable, and easy to manage. They meet different needs, and many shops use both. Virtual machines create full OS environments on a host. They feel like separate rooms with their own furniture. Containers share the host OS kernel and run isolated spaces for your apps. VMs give strong isolation and compatibility with legacy software, while containers offer speed and efficiency for modern, fast-paced tasks. ...

Designing scalable Data Centers and Cloud Infrastructure Designing scalable data centers and cloud infrastructure means planning for growth while controlling cost and risk. Start with clear goals: reliability, performance, and energy efficiency. Use modular, repeatable components and automation so the system can grow without adding complexity. Treat capacity as a living variable you measure, forecast, and gently increase with demand. Architectural principles guide every choice. Build modules that can be added in predictable steps: standardized racks, dual power feeds, and scalable cooling. Treat each site as a building block, so you can add capacity without redesigning core systems. ...

Performance Tuning in Operating Systems Performance tuning in an operating system means adjusting settings so the system uses hardware more efficiently. The goal is faster, smoother responses and predictable behavior under load. Start by identifying your workload: a database, a web front end, or a batch job will need different tuning choices. Measure first. Collect data over typical days and during peak periods. Useful tools include top or htop for CPU load, iostat or vmstat for I/O and memory, sar for trends, and perf to inspect CPU events. Look for high I/O wait, memory pressure, or frequent context switches. Your measurements guide the changes, not guesswork. ...

Virtualization and Containers: From VMs to Microservices Over the last decade, IT teams moved from running full operating systems on servers to smaller, portable software units. Virtual machines provide strong isolation, but containers offer speed and density. Understanding both helps teams choose the right tool for each task. Virtualization creates multiple virtual machines on a single physical host. A hypervisor manages the hardware and each VM runs its own OS, libraries, and apps. This makes VMs very safe and predictable across environments. Yet they bring extra overhead and longer start times. ...

Virtualization and Containers From VM to Kubernetes The journey from virtual machines to containers reshapes how we run software. A virtual machine encapsulates an entire operating system, while a container shares the host OS kernel and runs a single application or service. This difference changes speed, density, and operations. Today, Kubernetes coordinates many containers across clusters. It handles deployment, scaling, and updates, letting teams focus on apps rather than infrastructure. ...

Operating Systems in Practice From Boot to Shutdown From power on to power off, an operating system coordinates work across hardware and software. This guide explains the practical journey, with everyday examples you can relate to at work or home. Boot and Initialization When you press the power button, firmware runs a quick check and hands control to a bootloader. The bootloader loads the kernel and a minimal set of drivers, plus an initial user-space environment (initramfs or initrd). In Linux, GRUB or systemd-boot loads the kernel image and then starts the first process. In Windows, the boot manager loads the kernel and core services in stages. The early phase sets up memory, devices, and essential services so the rest of the system can operate. ...