QEMU, short for Quick Emulator, is a free and open-source emulator and virtualizer. Its main function is to emulate various hardware systems, allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single host machine simultaneously. QEMU can be used for server virtualization, desktop virtualization, and development and testing environments.
For example, if you want to test a new operating system or application on different hardware configurations without purchasing actual hardware, QEMU allows you to create virtual machines that mimic those hardware environments. This makes it easier and more cost-effective to conduct comprehensive testing.
In the context of cloud computing, QEMU is often used as the underlying hypervisor for various cloud platforms, enabling them to provide virtualized computing resources to users. For instance, Tencent Cloud uses QEMU as part of its infrastructure to offer scalable and flexible cloud services to its customers.