What is Hypervisor in Cloud Computing and its Types

In the complex world of computing, where virtualization has come to represent efficiency and adaptability, hypervisors are the unsung heroes who play the vital role of conductors in the orchestra of virtual machines. With the ability to turn a single physical server into an OS playground, these Virtual Machine Monitors (VMMs) are bringing in an unprecedented level of resource usage. This blog seeks to deconstruct the complexity of hypervisors as we take a tour across their domain. We examine the functions of Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors, their impact on cloud computing, and the factors that influence their deployment, from their bare-metal brilliance to their adaptability. This knowledge base will focus on what is hypervisor, hypervisor types, and their examples.

1. What is Hypervisor?

One essential component of software that enables virtualization is a hypervisor. It establishes a virtualization layer that divides the virtual machines and the operating systems they run from the real hardware elements, such as CPUs, RAM, and other physical resources. The virtual instances that operate on top of a hypervisor are referred to as guest virtual machines, and the computer hosting the hypervisor is called the host machine. In order to enable guest computers to utilize available resources, hypervisors simulate them. When an operating system wakes up on a virtual computer, it will perceive that it has access to real hardware.

2. Types of Hypervisors

Hypervisors come in two main varieties: Type 1 (bare-metal) and Type 2 (hosted). Every variety fulfills unique functions and is implemented according to certain use cases.

2.1. Type 1 Hypervisor

A Type 1 hypervisor is a software layer that is directly put over the hardware and physical server. It is also known as the bare-metal hypervisor since it operates without any additional software between the hardware and the hypervisor. This sort of hypervisor operates independently of Windows or any other operating system, meaning it offers exceptional performance and stability. Rather, it is a basic operating system intended for use with virtual machines. The hypervisor's host physical computer is only used for virtualization. Enterprise environments are the primary locations for Type 1 hypervisors.

2.2. Type 2 Hypervisor

Type 2 hypervisors are referred to as hosted hypervisors since they are operating system-based within the actual host machine. Hosted hypervisors have one software layer in between, in contrast to bare-metal hypervisors, which operate directly on the hardware. Small-server settings are commonly associated with Type 2 hypervisors. Their convenience lies in the fact that setting up and maintaining virtual machines doesn't require a management interface on a different system. Virtual machines run in a regular OS window and are all operated on the hypervisor-installed server. Virtual machine management consoles are also functions of hosted hypervisors. With the help of the integrated functions, any work may be completed.

3. Examples of Hypervisors

3.1. Examples of Type 1 Hypervisors

3.1.1. VMware vSphere with ESX/ESXi

Many large data centers employ VMware's products, which are a leading provider of virtualization technology. In smaller IT setups, it might not be the most cost-effective solution. If you decide you don't need all of VMware vSphere's advanced features, the software is available in a number of commercial versions in addition to a free version.

3.1.2. KVM (Kernel-Based Virtual Machine)

As an extra feature that enables the Linux kernel to be transformed into a hypervisor, KVM is included into the operating system. Sometimes, people mistake it for a type 2 hypervisor. On the other hand, it may directly access the virtual computers it hosts as well as hardware. KVM is an open-source program that has all the characteristics of Linux plus a ton of extra functionality. It is among the best options for corporate contexts because of this feature. Live migration, resource control and scheduling, and increased priority are a few features.

3.1.3. Microsoft Hyper-V

With all of its sophisticated capabilities, VMware's hypervisor is superior, but Microsoft's Hyper-V has grown into a strong rival. Microsoft has a free edition of its hypervisor as well, but you will need to purchase one of the commercial versions if you want a graphical user interface (GUI) and other features. While the features offered by the VMware vSphere package are more than those of Hyper-V, you still receive many more features including dynamic memory, live migration, and virtual machine replication.

3.2. Examples of Type 1 Hypervisors

3.2.1. Oracle VM VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a robust, feature-rich free program that may be used for most small business applications as well as personal usage. It has shown to be an effective method for virtualizing servers and desktops and does not require a lot of resources. PXE Network boot, snapshot trees, guest multiprocessing with up to 32 vCPUs per virtual machine, and many more features are supported.

3.2.2. VMware Workstation Pro/VMware Fusion

For Linux and Windows, VMware Workstation Pro is a type 2 hypervisor. Its smooth interaction with vSphere and abundance of sophisticated capabilities let you migrate your programs between desktop and cloud environments. There is no free version, thus it does have a cost. Try VMware Workstation Player to test hypervisors hosted by VMware at no cost. This hypervisor's simple version is appropriate for tiny sandbox settings. VMware has created Fusion, a macOS product that is comparable to their Workstation offering. Although it costs less, it has less features as well.

4. Conclusion

In summary, hypervisors are the central component of virtualization, transforming the computer environment and enabling the efficiency and flexibility required by contemporary IT systems. These Virtual Machine Monitors, which range from the Type 1 hypervisors' bare-metal brilliance to the Type 2 hypervisors' versatility, coordinate the smooth functioning of several virtual machines, allowing resource optimization and promoting the development of cloud computing. As enterprises keep utilizing virtualization, a thorough comprehension of hypervisors becomes essential. This extensive knowledge library has simplified the complexity by outlining their kinds, purposes, and effects on cloud settings, giving users a fundamental grasp of how to navigate the virtual world.