
Virtualization What is virtualization?
Virtualization is a process that allows the creation of multiple simulated computing environments from a single pool of physical system resources. It is often used to run multiple operating systems on the same hardware system at the same time.
Virtualization lets you create several simulated environments or dedicated resources using a single physical hardware system. Through software, it adds an abstraction layer over the hardware, allowing one physical machine to be divided into multiple virtual machines (VMs). VMs run their own operating systems and applications, like standalone devices.

- How is hardware separated from software in virtualization?
- How is there no dependency and limitations on physical hardware in virtualization?
- What are types of virtualization?
- What are the benefits of virtualization?
- What are the best practices for virtualization?
- How can HPE help you with virtualization solutions?
How is hardware separated from software in virtualization?
Virtualization uses a hypervisor, or virtual machine monitor (VMM), to divide hardware and software. How this distinction works:
Hypervisor:
- Type 1 (Bare-Metal): This hypervisor operates on hardware without an OS. VMs receive hardware resources directly from it.
- Type 2 (Hosted): This hypervisor handles hardware interfaces and abstracts VMs on top of an OS.
Virtual machines:
- VMs run their own guest OS and apps. Each VM seems like it has dedicated. hardware because the hypervisor allocates CPU, memory, storage, and network connections.
Abstract and emulate:
- The hypervisor isolates physical hardware by giving VMs virtualized network interfaces and storage controllers. VMs can carry out OS and apps without hardware access thanks to this abstraction.
Manage resources:
- The hypervisor distributes hardware resources to VMs to maximize system performance. It separates resources so one VM's activity doesn't affect others.
Hardware-assisted virtualization:
- Modern CPUs offer virtualization extensions like Intel VT-x and AMD-V that raise hypervisor performance and improve VM-hardware isolation, improving efficiency.
Device drivers:
- The hypervisor provides virtual device drivers to the guest OS in virtualized settings and connects virtual drivers to actual hardware.
Virtualization isolates the software environment from actual hardware, allowing computing resources to be flexible, efficient, and isolated.
