Learning Question: Virtual Drive a partition?

[KiwiHoshi]

If I didn't put this in the correct thread, sorry. I just have a learning question. When I create a virtual hard drive, am I creating a partition on my actual hard drive? I'm just trying to understand how it works. Thanks!

 

[ex_bubblehead]

....When I create a virtual hard drive, am I creating a partition on my actual hard drive? I'm just trying to understand how it works.....

No, a special file is created that is treated by the VM as if it were a physical volume. You can even copy this file (along with any support files) to another computer and run your VM there.

 

[calmstateofmind]

Yes, that's correct. You're specifying an amount of storage you wish to sanction off from the original drive and it'll act as a separate drive, as well as be issued a different drive letter. In reality though, it's still just one physical drive.

The more accurate term for this is a logical drive.


Edit: Do you mean to ask about a virtual environment, or the creation of a second (logical) drive that's derived from a physical drive?

 

[Ijack]

@calmstate of mind - I think you are confused. Ex_bubblehead gave the correct answer.

 

[calmstateofmind]

@calmstate of mind - I think you are confused. Ex_bubblehead gave the correct answer.

Well I wasn't sure as to which the OP was referring to, since they themselves were unclear as to what's going on. The fact that they used the term "hard drive" and didn't mention a virtual environment at all made me think that they're referring to the creation of a logical drive and not the workings of a hypervisor.

If that in fact is the case, I'm not confused but misguided...

 

[Ijack]

Well, you don't need a hypervisor, or any other form of virtual machine, to benefit from virtual drives in Windows, OS X, or Linux. You can even boot Windows on a physical machine off a .vhd, so it can be a useful alternative to resizing partitions if you want to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 (for example).

 

[KiwiHoshi]

Well, you don't need a hypervisor, or any other form of virtual machine, to benefit from virtual drives in Windows, OS X, or Linux. You can even boot Windows on a physical machine off a .vhd, so it can be a useful alternative to resizing partitions if you want to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 (for example).

Well, I guess that answers my question...although, I'm more confused now. Sorry, I never replied. I forgot I posted this question.