Difference between Virtualization and Hypervisor
Last Updated :
02 Sep, 2024
Hypervisors and virtualization are two of the most important technologies in current computing environments and while both words can be used synonymously there is a clear distinction between the two. Virtualization is the act of producing a virtual copy of an entity, like a server or an operating system while a hypervisor is the software or firmware layer responsible for implementing the virtualization process by managing the virtual machines. It is very much crucial to differentiate between the two because this will help in effectively enhancing the infrastructure and meaningly expanding the resources.
What is Virtualization?
Virtualization, as the name suggests, is software that allows OS instances to run concurrently on a single computer. Its type includes CPU virtualization, memory virtualization, device, and I’O virtualization. It is applied in existing parts of the system, so it always results in better efficiency and performance. It overall improves performance due to technology that can balance resources.
Advantages of Virtualization
- Cost Efficiency: It helps to cut the need for actual hardware, which on one side decreases the costs of buying new equipment and on the other – the expenses on the maintenance of the same.
- Scalability: Increased scalability and maintainability, it is easy to scale up or down to a certain level without incurring hefty costs in the acquisition of new hardware.
- Disaster Recovery: This makes work easier in that case the use of decreased data is simplified in case of hardware failure.
- Isolation: Offers the containment feature by which each VM runs in its space. Therefore, the chances of systems sharing resources decrease.
Disadvantages of Virtualization
- Performance Overhead: With the concept of virtualization, performance latency comes necessarily through the layer of abstraction.
- Complexity: Virtualization of the IT environment may be challenging, and require a trained staff to do.
- Initial Costs: On the other hand, it slashes many one-time costs such as staff training and licence fees in the long run, implementing it may be pricey courtesy of tariffs for both software and equipment
What is Hypervisor?
Hypervisor, as name suggests, is a software, hardware, or firmware that generally make virtualization possible. It simply creates virtualization layers that separates CPU/processors, RAM and all other physical resources from virtual machines that we create. Its type includes Native hypervisor and Hosted hypervisor. It is used to allocate each VM resources such as CPU, memory, storage, and network to simply run guest OS and applications.
Advantages of Hypervisors
- Resource Management: Well maps physical resources to VMs so that it is efficient in its use of the resources.
- Security: hypervisors offer strong level of isolation between VMs and this makes security an added advantage since the VMs will not easily be affected by other running VMs’ bugs.
- Flexibility: Permits the need for several operating systems to be operating on a single hardware environment.
Disadvantages of Hypervisors
- Complexity: Hyper visor can prove to be a challenge to manage not withstanding the scale of the environment that is being managed.
- Resource Contention: Multiple VMs running on the same host competes for the same Host resources and this may actual cause response time issues.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Normally, there is the aggregate risk where even if one hypervisor is breached, all the hosted VMs could be endangered.
Difference Between Virtualization and Hypervisor
Virtualization | Hypervisor |
|---|
| It uses software to create virtual version of something rather than actual one. | It is software used to create and run virtual machines. |
| It generally allows to use physical machines full capacity simply by distributing its capabilities among different users and environments. | It generally allows one host computer to support various guest virtual machines simply by sharing its resources virtually. |
| Its main function is to manage workloads by transforming tradition computing radically simply to make it more scalable. | Its main function is to allocate system resources properly to each virtual machine that it manages. |
| It is most effective way to reduce IT expenses, boost efficiency, and agility for small to large size business. | It is most effective way to ensure that virtual machines are working effectively or not, smooth functioning of virtual machine, reduces costs of operations, etc. |
| It is generally used for testing application on different platforms for OS, to conserve physical space, reduce cost, increase efficiency and productivity, etc. | It is generally used for various tasks such as cloud computing, server management, running programs compatible with OS, etc. |
| Its advantages include control independence and DevOps, enhance resiliency, reduce downtime, simplify data center management, etc. | Its advantages include consolidating servers, desktop virtualization, data replication, etc. |
| It is more cost-effective as compared to hypervisors. | It is less cost-effective as compared to virtualization. |
Conclusion
Virtualization and hypervisors are well established elements in contemporary IT environment; they perform different functions, which are however interrelated. Resource utilization by creating virtual instances can be achieved through virtualization while the hypervisors oversee the running of these instances. By distinguishing the characteristics of both, an organization is in a better position to avoid regarding as well as align IT infrastructure toward cost, efficiency, and security.
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