VM-aware

VM-Aware

VM-aware (Virtual Memory Aware) is a computer programming term describing software, hardware, or a combination of the two that is aware of, and can make use of, the virtual memory configuration of a computer system.

A computer’s virtual memory allows a system to run multiple programs at once, or to support a large amount of data, by making use of the available random access memory (RAM) and disk space. By spreading out the memory and data requirements of the system across multiple physical memory locations, the computer’s resources are further optimized.

VM-aware software is either designed to make use of the increased memory and storage afforded by virtual memory, or is capable of accommodating any changes occurring in the virtual memory configuration. Hardware intended to be VM-aware, on the other hand, can accurately respond to the physical memory demands of the current virtual memory configuration.

VM-aware programming and hardware are especially important for both large-scale data systems and online gaming, where the media being accessed or used by the system may require more memory than is available on the physical system. Virtual memory gives the system the ability to expand its memory and capacity, without having to physically upgrade the hardware.

In addition to applications and services, modern operating systems are often written to be VM-aware, allowing them to make full use of the system’s available resources as well as to dynamically adjust to any changes in the memory configuration. This ensures that the system is running as efficiently as possible, while still allowing for the most efficient use of all available resources.

The presence of VM-aware hardware and software, as well as being beneficial to many applications, is also beneficial in the context of cybersecurity. By keeping the system abreast of the changes in the virtual memory configuration, VM-aware programming is able to help limit the scope of potential security threats.