Definition
Hardware virtualization refers to the process in which a physical machine (host) uses hypervisor software to emulate one or more virtual machines (guests). These virtual machines function autonomously, each capable of executing distinct operating systems and applications as if they were separate physical entities.
Use Cases of Hardware Virtualization
- Data centers: Data centers use hardware virtualization to maximize resource utilization and cut costs.
- Software development: Software developers use hardware virtualization to test new codes across different environments without necessarily relying on physical machines.
- Cloud services: Cloud service providers use virtual machines to host various clients on a single hardware infrastructure.
How Hardware Virtualization Works
The hypervisor is the core component of hardware virtualization. It is software that connects with the physical hardware and allocates resources, including RAM, CPU, and storage, to each virtual machine. It ensures the VMs are isolated, which prevents them from affecting each other.
History of Hardware Virtualization
Hardware virtualization dates back to the 1960s when IBM designed a mainframe system to improve the efficiency of resource-intensive hardware.
It became widespread as personal computers and servers became more popular, leading to the emergence of players like VMware. Hardware virtualization has revolutionized IT by allowing for scalability, flexibility, and optimized resource usage.
Components of Hardware Virtualization
Hardware virtualization consists of the following components:
- The hardware layer, also known as a virtualization host, contains all the physical server components, including the CPU, disk drives, memory, and network. The virtualization process occurs in this layer and requires an x86-based operating system with one or more CPUs to support various guest operating systems.
- The hypervisor links the OS and server hardware using a virtualization layer. It enables different operating systems to run concurrently on a single physical machine. The hypervisor uses the resources to separate the OS and its programs from the underlying computer hardware and the virtual machines.
- Virtual machines (VMs) are software-based emulations of a physical computing environment that offer similar functionalities to a physical computer. They consist of virtual hardware, a guest operating system, and guest applications.
