A hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine manager, is a software program that enables multiple operating systems to share a single hardware host.
There are two main types of hypervisors: Type 1, or native or bare-metal hypervisors, and Type 2, or hosted hypervisors.
Type 1 hypervisors run directly on the host’s hardware, and they allow multiple operating systems to run on a single physical server. These hypervisors are often used in large, enterprise-level environments where performance and stability are critical. Examples of Type 1 hypervisors include VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer.
Type 2 hypervisors, on the other hand, run on top of a host operating system. These hypervisors are often easier to install and manage, and they are commonly used in small and medium-sized business environments. Examples of Type 2 hypervisors include VMware Workstation, Oracle VirtualBox, and Microsoft Virtual PC.
In addition to these two main types, there are also hybrid hypervisors, which combine elements of both Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors. These hypervisors can run either directly on the host’s hardware or on top of an operating system, depending on the needs of the user. Examples of hybrid hypervisors include VMware Fusion and Oracle VM VirtualBox.