What is Hypervisor?
A hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine monitor (VMM), is a type of software that enables multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical machine by providing a layer of abstraction between the hardware and the operating systems running on the VMs.
There are two main types of hypervisors: Type 1, or bare-metal hypervisors, run directly on the host machine’s hardware, while Type 2 hypervisors run as a software application on top of a host operating system. Type 1 hypervisors are typically used in server virtualization, while Type 2 hypervisors are more commonly used for desktop virtualization.
Why cloud need a hypervisor?
Cloud computing involves the delivery of computing resources, such as servers, storage, and applications, over the Internet. One of the key advantages of cloud computing is the ability to efficiently and securely share physical resources among multiple users. This is achieved through the use of virtualization technology, which allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical machine.
A hypervisor is an essential component of virtualization technology, as it provides a layer of abstraction between the hardware and the operating systems running on the VMs. The hypervisor manages the allocation of physical resources to the VMs, such as CPU cycles, memory, and storage, and ensures that each VM operates independently and securely.
In a cloud computing environment, a hypervisor enables the creation and management of virtual machines, which can be rapidly provisioned and de-provisioned as needed. This allows cloud providers to offer scalable, on-demand computing resources to their customers while maximizing the utilization of physical resources and minimizing costs.
Furthermore, a hypervisor can help ensure that the cloud environment is secure by isolating individual VMs from one another and from the underlying physical infrastructure. This can help prevent the spread of malware and other security threats, as well as improve data privacy and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Advantages of Hypervisor
- Resource utilization: A hypervisor allows multiple virtual machines to share the resources of a single physical machine, such as CPU, memory, and storage. This results in better resource utilization and can help reduce the overall cost of hardware.
- Isolation: Each virtual machine runs in its own isolated environment, which means that a problem with one virtual machine does not affect the other virtual machines running on the same physical machine.
- Flexibility: Hypervisors allow virtual machines to be created and deployed quickly and easily, without the need for additional physical hardware.
- Security: Hypervisors can provide improved security by isolating virtual machines from each other and from the underlying physical hardware. This can help prevent malicious software from spreading between virtual machines or from the virtual machines to the host operating system.
- Testing and development: Hypervisors are often used in software testing and development environments, as they allow developers to create multiple test environments on a single physical machine.
- Disaster recovery: Hypervisors can facilitate disaster recovery by allowing virtual machines to be quickly and easily moved between physical machines or to be backed up and restored.
