Vollvirtualisierung

Vollvirtualisierung, also known as hardware virtualization, is a technology that allows a single physical computer to run multiple isolated operating systems simultaneously. This is achieved by creating a virtual layer called a hypervisor, which sits between the hardware and the operating systems. The hypervisor manages and allocates the physical resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, to each virtual machine. Each virtual machine behaves as if it has its own dedicated hardware, unaware of the presence of other virtual machines.

The primary benefit of full virtualization is its ability to run a wide range of operating systems, including those that might not be compatible with each other on the same physical hardware. This is particularly useful for software development, testing, and running legacy applications. It also enables server consolidation, where multiple physical servers can be replaced by a single more powerful server running multiple virtual machines, leading to reduced hardware costs, power consumption, and physical space requirements. Furthermore, full virtualization enhances disaster recovery and business continuity by allowing for quick backups and migration of entire virtual machines.

Different types of hypervisors exist, broadly categorized as Type 1 (bare-metal) and Type 2 (hosted). Type 1 hypervisors run directly on the host's hardware, offering better performance and security. Examples include VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V. Type 2 hypervisors run as applications on top of an existing operating system, making them easier to set up for desktop use. Examples include VMware Workstation and Oracle VirtualBox. Despite its advantages, full virtualization can introduce some performance overhead due to the abstraction layer introduced by the hypervisor.