Final answer:
To safely shutdown a VM, it is advisable to perform the shutdown through the guest OS to prevent potential data loss or corruption. While shutting down from the VM client program is not recommended, some VM platforms provide safe shutdown options that also use the guest OS processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that to safely shutdown a virtual machine (VM), one should execute a shutdown of the guest operating system and follow procedures based on the operating system, rather than shutting down the VM from the VM client program, is generally true. Shutting down the guest OS as you would with a physical machine allows the OS to gracefully close applications and services, which can help prevent data loss and file system corruption. When you force shutdown a VM from the client program, it is akin to unplugging a physical machine from the power source, which could potentially cause similar issues.
However, it is important to note that certain VM management platforms like VMware or Hyper-V do have features like 'Guest Shutdown' that signal the guest OS to initiate its own shutdown process. Using these options is also considered a safe way to shutdown a VM. Ultimately, following best practices as prescribed for each particular guest OS and the specifications of the VM platform in use is essential for maintaining the integrity of the systems you are managing.