What is a hypervisor?

A hypervisor is a thin software layer that is also known as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Before their
existence, most computers could only run one operating system (OS) at a time. With a hypervisor, you
can run multiple operating systems using one host machine. This practice helps reduce the waste of
physical servers and computational resources.

What is the main function of a hypervisor?

Hypervisors separate a system's operating system (OS) and resources from the physical machine. They
organize these separated resources into files called virtual machines (VMs), hence the
pseudonym virtual machine monitor. Then, they assign computing power, data, and storage to each
one. A hypervisor prohibits these files from interfering with one another, thereby maintaining the
system. 

Read more: Introduction to Virtualization: What is a Virtual Machine?

What is the difference between a hypervisor and a virtual machine?

Virtual machines are files that recreate the computing environment of a physical computer. A hypervisor
is software that runs these files. Hypervisors allocate hardware resources to virtual machines and
ensure they remain independent from one another, thereby maintaining the system. A good way to
conceptualize the relationship between the two is to imagine hypervisors as the platform on which virtual
machines must operate. 

Types of hypervisors

There are two main types of hypervisors. Type 1 is the most commonly deployed type of hypervisor.
However, type 2 hypervisors can be better suited for certain projects. In the following sections, you'll
learn how each one works. If you're determining which type of hypervisor will be best for your project,
consider the pros and cons.

Type 1 hypervisor

A type 1 hypervisor is sometimes referred to as a native hypervisor or a bare-metal hypervisor. Its

pseudonyms (or, nicknames) are derived from its installation method. Bare-metal hypervisors are
installed and run directly on the physical hardware of a computer. A type 1 hypervisor can take the place
of a host operating system.

Pro: Typically, programs and software must go through an OS layer to reach hardware resources like
CPU and memory. Since a type 1 hypervisor has direct access to the physical computer, it's fast,
secure, and efficient for them to run guest operating systems.

Con: Type 1 hypervisors may require a dedicated machine that is separate from the host hardware.
This secondary machine is needed to instruct the virtual machines, manage the virtual environment, and
control hardware resources.

Type 2 hypervisor

Type 2 hypervisors run like applications through the OS of the physical machine. This type of hypervisor
is also known as an embedded hypervisor or a hosted hypervisor. Unlike type 1 hypervisors, hosted
hypervisors don't have direct access to the underlying hardware. They must go through the hardware's
OS to interact with its physical resources. 
Pro: Type 2 hypervisor setup is quicker and easier because operating systems are more user-friendly. 

Con: Latency issues such as lagging are more common among type 2 hypervisors. They also tend to
be less secure. Both of these issues exist because hosted hypervisors must access hardware resources
indirectly through an OS. If the hardware's OS is compromised, the OS of any virtual machines the
hypervisor has created will be too. 

What is a hypervisor used for?

It is unlikely that a single OS would occupy all of a computer's resources. However, multiple operating
systems running alongside each other (VMs) can. Hypervisor technology allows more use of a system's
available computing resources. They save space and maintenance because they create independent
operating systems that share the resources of a single machine.