Edexcel curriculum (2015)

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Python

Binary/Hex

Data representation

Compression

Encryption

What is a computer?

Working computer

Hardware

Operating system

Computer processes

The CPU

Memory

Input devices

Output devices

Data storage

Inside the CPU

Stored program

F-D-E cycle

CPU components

Networks

LAN, WAN and PAN

Network topologies

Network addressing

Protocols

Error detection

The internet

The world wide web

HTML and CSS

Client-server model

VPNs

SQL

Impact

Ethical issues

Microcontrollers

Comp models

Emerging trends

Virtual machines

Models and sims

Algorithms

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Models and simulators

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A virtual machine is a layer of software that allows one computer to simulate another and to run more than one operating systems.
The virtual machine acts as if it is a hardware machine, ‘deceiving’ the guest operating system into believing that it is installed on a computer when in fact it is not.
with the continued increase in processor power, most desktop computers are capable of running many operating systems simultaneously.

Why have a VM?
Test software
To ‘ring fence’ a program so that it cannot damage the host machine
To provide a secure teaching environment for pupils of computer science.

So, you can use a VM to and not care about the consequences as it will have no impact on your “real” computer

How to use Ubuntu (a free operating system) as a virtual machine using free software