> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getgranite.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# VM Management Overview

> Understanding Granite's virtual machine options

## VM Options

Granite supports two ways to run automation drivers:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Local VMs (Hyper-V)" icon="computer" href="/vm-management/local-sandbox-setup">
    Run on your own Windows machines

    * Full control
    * No cloud costs
    * Great for development
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cloud VMs (GCP)" icon="cloud" href="/vm-management/gcp-mig">
    Managed VMs in Google Cloud

    * Zero maintenance
    * Auto-scaling
    * Production ready
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When to Use What

| Scenario                | Recommendation    |
| ----------------------- | ----------------- |
| Development & testing   | Local VMs         |
| Production workloads    | Cloud VMs         |
| Cost-sensitive          | Local VMs         |
| Scale-sensitive         | Cloud VMs         |
| Compliance requirements | Depends on policy |

## Architecture

### Local Setup

```mermaid theme={null}
graph TB
    A[Your Machine] --> B[Hyper-V]
    B --> C[Windows VM 1]
    B --> D[Windows VM 2]
    C & D --> E[Granite Backend]
```

### Cloud Setup

```mermaid theme={null}
graph TB
    A[GCP MIG] --> B[Instance Template]
    B --> C[VM 1]
    B --> D[VM 2]
    B --> E[VM n...]
    C & D & E --> F[Granite Backend]
```

## Key Concepts

| Term                | Description                        |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Driver**          | Software that runs automations     |
| **VM**              | Virtual machine hosting the driver |
| **MIG**             | Managed Instance Group (GCP)       |
| **Installation VM** | Temporary VM for setup             |

## Machine Types

Available configurations:

| Type   | vCPUs | RAM  | Use Case          |
| ------ | ----- | ---- | ----------------- |
| Small  | 2     | 4GB  | Simple tasks      |
| Medium | 4     | 8GB  | Most automations  |
| Heavy  | 8     | 16GB | Complex workloads |

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Local Setup" icon="computer" href="/vm-management/local-sandbox-setup">
    Set up Hyper-V VMs
  </Card>

  <Card title="GCP Setup" icon="cloud" href="/vm-management/gcp-mig">
    Configure cloud VMs
  </Card>
</CardGroup>