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

# Virtual machines overview

> LayerRail virtual machines provide on-demand Linux compute for apps, background services, workers, and custom infrastructure across regions.

LayerRail virtual machines are the base compute layer for projects that need a familiar server runtime.

Use a VM when you want direct control over the operating system, packages, ports, SSH access, and process manager.

## What you can run

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Web applications" icon="globe">
    Deploy web apps, APIs, dashboards, and internal tools.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Background workers" icon="gears">
    Run queues, scheduled jobs, bots, and long-running services.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Game servers" icon="gamepad">
    Host game workloads that need direct VM access and predictable sizing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom infrastructure" icon="server">
    Install your own runtime, reverse proxy, monitoring agent, or control process.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## VM lifecycle

| State    | Meaning                                                       |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Creating | LayerRail is provisioning the VM and bootstrapping access.    |
| Running  | The VM is active and ready for SSH or service traffic.        |
| Deleting | The VM is being removed and should no longer receive traffic. |

## Supported images

LayerRail focuses on familiar Linux distributions:

* Ubuntu
* Debian
* AlmaLinux
* Fedora

## Networking

Every VM can be used with public IPs, private subnets, firewall rules, and load balancers.

<Card title="Connect VM networking" icon="network-wired" href="/networking/private-subnet">
  Learn how private subnets, firewalls, and load balancers fit together.
</Card>