An IT specialist is preparing a host server to run guest virtual machines (VMs) for softwa… — CompTIA A+ (Core 1 & Core 2)

An IT specialist is preparing a host server to run guest virtual machines (VMs) for software QA testing. The physical computer contains $56\text{ GB}$ of installed system RAM. The host operating system requires $5\text{ GB}$ of RAM, and the Type 2 hypervisor application requires an additional $3\text{ GB}$ of dedicated host RAM overhead. If each guest VM requires $6\text{ GB}$ of RAM for optimal performance, what is the maximum number of guest VMs that can run concurrently without overcommitting physical host memory?

A
9 virtual machines
8 virtual machinesAnswer
C
7 virtual machines
D
4 virtual machines

Answer

8 virtual machines can run concurrently without overcommitting memory.

To determine the maximum number of virtual machines without overcommitting RAM, first subtract the combined host operating system requirement (

5\text{ GB}

) and hypervisor overhead (

3\text{ GB}

) from total physical RAM (

56\text{ GB} - 8\text{ GB} = 48\text{ GB}

). Then, divide the remaining available memory by the per-VM requirement (

48\text{ GB} / 6\text{ GB} = 8

). Therefore, 8 virtual machines can run concurrently.

Step-by-Step Solution

Calculate the total host RAM reservation.

5\text{ GB} \text{ (Host OS)} + 3\text{ GB} \text{ (Hypervisor)} = 8\text{ GB}

total host RAM reserved.

The host OS and hypervisor require dedicated memory to maintain system stability and host management functions.

Calculate RAM available for guest virtual machines.

56\text{ GB} \text{ (Total physical RAM)} - 8\text{ GB} \text{ (Host reserved)} = 48\text{ GB}

available.

Subtracting host overhead prevents physical memory overcommitment and disk thrashing.

Determine maximum guest virtual machines supported.

48\text{ GB} / 6\text{ GB} = 8

virtual machines.

Dividing the remaining usable RAM by the per-VM requirement yields the maximum concurrent VM capacity.

Key Concept

Virtual Machine Host Memory Allocation and Overhead Planning

Question

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

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