What does system virtualization allow on a single physical system?

System virtualization is a technology that allows a single physical system to create and manage multiple virtual environments, often referred to as virtual machines (VMs). When a physical machine is virtualized, it can operate multiple operating systems simultaneously, each in its own isolated environment. This isolation is crucial, as it ensures that each virtual system runs independently, without any interference from the others. For example, if one virtual machine encounters an issue or performs a resource-intensive task, it does not affect the performance or stability of the other virtual machines operating on the same physical hardware.

The ability to isolate multiple virtual systems is fundamental to system virtualization, as it provides benefits such as enhanced security, easier resource allocation, and improved hardware utilization. Each virtual machine can operate as if it were an independent physical computer, allowing for diverse testing and development environments on a single host.

The other choices touch on benefits related to virtualization but do not accurately define its primary functionality. While running multiple applications simultaneously may happen within each virtual machine, it does not encapsulate the concept of virtualization itself. Enhancing hardware performance can be a result of better resource management, but it's a secondary effect rather than the core function. Controlling network security settings is an important aspect of IT management, but the ability to