6/7/2015

Whatisvirtualmemory?DefinitionfromWhatIs.com

SearchStorage
Home

> Data management tools > Hardware Glossary > virtual memorydefinition

Virtual MemoryDefinition
Virtual memory is a feature of an operating system (OS) that allows a computer to compensate for shortages of physical memory by temporarily
transferring pages of data from random access memory (RAM) to disk storage.

2015 Planning: The Top 10 Data Storage Definitions You Need To Know

Posted by
Margaret Rouse
WhatIs.com

Contributor(s): Herzl Regev

Whether youre a seasoned IT expert or a relative newcomer, the jargon surrounding data storage technologies can be overwhelming. Before
you finalize your 2015 planning, refer to this Special Report to find out the top 10 most important storage terms you need to know today.

Email Address

Download Now

By submitting your personal information, you agree to receive emails regarding relevant products and special offers from TechTarget and its partners. You also agree that your personal information may be
transferred and processed in the United States, and that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.

http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/virtualmemory

1/3

6/7/2015

Whatisvirtualmemory?DefinitionfromWhatIs.com

Eventually, the OS will need to retrieve the data that was moved to temporarily to disk storage -- but remember, the only reason the OS moved pages
of data from RAM to disk storage to begin with was because it was running out of RAM. To solve the problem, the operating system will need to move
other pages to hard disk so it has room to bring back the pages it needs right away from temporary disk storage. This process is known as paging or
swapping and the temporary storage space on the hard disk is called a pagefile or a swap file.
Swapping, which happens so quickly that the end user doesn't know it's happening, is carried out by the computers memory manager unit (MMU). The
memory manager unit may use one of several algorithms to choose which page should be swapped out, including Least Recently Used (LRU), Least
Frequently Used (LFU) or Most Recently Used (MRU).

In this video tutorial, Mike Callahan explains how virtual memory works in the Windows 7 operating system.

In a virtualized computing environment, administrators can use virtual memory management techniques to allocate additional memory to a virtual
machine (VM) that has run out of resources. Such virtualization management tactics can improve VM performance and management flexibility.

See also: transparent page sharing, memory ballooning

Continue Reading About Virtual Memory

copy data

memory paging

copy data management (CDM)

swap file (swap space or pagefile)

Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy

Service (Microsoft VSS)

How bad do swap files affect

virtual machine ...

1comment

Oldest

Share your comment

Register or Login
E-Mail
email@techtarget.com

Username / Password

http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/virtualmemory

2/3

6/7/2015

Whatisvirtualmemory?DefinitionfromWhatIs.com

Username

Password

Comment
By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United
States. Privacy

Michael Tidmarsh 15 Sep 201410:11 PM

Great article Margaret! Does anyone have any tips and tricks for increasing virtual memory on their operating systems?

-ADS BY GOOGLE

Buy Apartment in Karjat

sheltrex-karjat.in/New_Flats
Buy 1/2/3BHK Flats @Sheltrex Karjat by Hafeez Contractor, Visit Us!

SOLID STATE STORAGE

VIRTUAL STORAGE

CLOUD STORAGE

DISASTER RECOVERY

DATA BACKUP

SearchSolidStateStorage
Pros and cons of memory channel storage
Memory channel storage is a relatively new technology that allows storage professionals to overcome some of the most limiting ...

HP adds new high-end 3PAR flash models, software features

HP unveils new high-end 3PAR StoreServ 20000 family all-flash and hybrid flash arrays and software resiliency and storage ...

About Us

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Videos

Photo Stories

Guides
Advertisers
Reprints

Business Partners
Archive

Site Map

Media Kit
Events

Corporate Site

Experts

E-Products
All Rights Reserved,
Copyright 2000 - 2015, TechTarget

http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/virtualmemory

3/3