Cloud Operating System

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What Does Cloud Operating System Mean?

A cloud operating system is a type of operating system designed to operate within cloud computing and virtualization environments. A cloud operating system manages the operation, execution and processes of virtual machines, virtual servers and virtual infrastructure, as well as the back-end hardware and software resources.

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A cloud operating system may also be called a virtual operating system.

Techopedia Explains Cloud Operating System

A cloud operating system primarily manages the operation of one or more virtual machines within a virtualized environment. Depending on the virtual environment and cloud services in use, the functionality of cloud operating systems varies.

For example, a cloud operating system developed to be used within a computing-specific environment will manage the processes and threads of a single or cluster of virtual machines and servers. Similarly, a light-end cloud OS might provide end users with pre-installed applications and services, accessed through an Internet browser.

Microsoft Windows Azure and Google Chrome OS are among current examples of cloud operating systems.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist
Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.