Virtio IDE allows prototyping of both the software and the hardware at the early stages of the design cycle. Using Virtio IDE, system architects and system designers can create a complete model of today's complex systems in a matter of 1-2 weeks. Virtual prototyping allows a designer to create a fast prototype in a "soft" form, i.e. without using physical hardware. The technology is powerful enough to model both the hardware and software portion of complex embedded and SOC designs in the very early stages of the design cycle.
The key benefits of virtual prototypes relative to traditional hardware prototype implementations are:
1. Significantly less development time is required — the system is modeled at a high-level of abstraction focusing on the system's functionality--not on the implementation details.
2. Reduced cost — virtual prototypes have minimal production costs therefore they can be used by a large number of users without the need to create physical boards.
3. Easier to use — no need to install and configure.