Hypervisor

A hypervisor is a software layer that enables virtualization by creating and managing virtual machines (VMs) on a physical host. It acts as a bridge between the hardware and virtual environments, allowing multiple operating systems to run simultaneously on a single machine. There are two main types of hypervisors: Type 1 (Bare-metal): Installed directly on physical hardware, this hypervisor does not rely on an operating system. Examples include VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V. Type 1 hypervisors are typically faster and more secure because they interact directly with the hardware. Type 2 (Hosted): Runs on top of an existing operating system, like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation. It’s more user-friendly but may not offer the same performance or security as Type 1. Hypervisors are essential for cloud computing, server consolidation, and resource optimization, allowing businesses to run multiple VMs efficiently on a single physical server. They improve scalability, reduce hardware costs, and enhance flexibility in IT environments.