# Virtual machine

A virtual machine is a set of resources obtained from UNIX
at initialization time that display the functions and characteristics
of a D3 computer system, and are shared by several D3 processes.

In this case, a real machine (the UNIX computer system)
emulates a virtual machine (the D3 computer system), which then appears
to have disk space, tape drives, printers, terminals, users, and the
D3 file system and language.

Several virtual machines can coexist
on any given single hardware platform.

A virtual machine is
identified by a unique key allocated by the System Administrator at
install time.

A virtual machine must first be booted (activated)
before users can access it. Any user can be connected to any number
of virtual machines at any given time.

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Source: https://d3codex.com/definitions/virtual-machine/ - part of the D3Codex reference.