Which characteristic allows for the independent operation of virtual machines on different physical hosts?

The characteristic that allows for the independent operation of virtual machines on different physical hosts is encapsulation.

Encapsulation refers to the way virtual machines (VMs) are packaged with all the necessary elements they need to operate, such as the operating system, applications, and data. This packaging allows VMs to run independently on any compatible physical host, giving them the flexibility to migrate across different servers in a cloud environment without requiring any changes to the VM itself. Encapsulation ensures that each VM operates as an isolated entity with its own resources, promoting efficient resource utilization.

This characteristic is crucial in cloud computing and virtualization because it enables the easy management of multiple VMs across a network of servers. It facilitates aspects such as load balancing, disaster recovery, and simplified deployment, making it a foundational principle of modern cloud architectures.