Hypervisors are software solutions that enable communication between different operating systems running on the same physical machine. Hypervisor technology has been around for a while now, but there are still two main different types of hypervisors – Type 1 and Type 2. Many users often ask what the difference between these two types is, and whether it even matters. Here is a quick overview to help you understand.

Type 1 hypervisor or bare-metal hypervisor, is installed at the hardware layer of a server, and it directly talks to the hardware components. This means that it does not require an underlying operating system to function. The bare-metal hypervisor can handle multiple virtual machines at once, and each virtual machine runs its own operating system. Type 1 hypervisors provide a more efficient and scalable platform for virtualization and are commonly used in data centers.

In contrast, Type 2 hypervisors are installed on top of an operating system, which makes it possible to run more than one virtual machine on one host machine, and every virtual machine can run a separate operating system. While it is easier to set up a Type 2 hypervisor, they are not as efficient or scalable as their Type 1 counterparts. Additionally, the performance may be slower, which can impact the overall performance of the virtual machines.

The actual difference between the two hypervisor types has to do with the way that they are implemented. While Type 1 hypervisors run directly on the hardware, Type 2 hypervisors use the underlying operating system’s capabilities to communicate with the hardware.

The choice between Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors depends on various factors, such as how you intend to use virtualization in your organization. For small organizations or home office users, a Type 2 hypervisor is more appropriate since they are easier to use and require less setup time. If you need high-performance virtualization solutions in your organization, a Type 1 hypervisor is your best option.