Type 1 vs Type 2 Hypervisors: What You Need To Know

Hypervisors are software programs that enable virtualization, the technology that allows you to run multiple operating systems (OS) on a single physical machine. Virtualization can help you optimize your hardware resources, reduce operational costs, improve security, and enhance flexibility.

But not all hypervisors are created equal. There are two main types of hypervisors: type 1 and type 2. We will explain the differences between them, their advantages and disadvantages, and their use cases.

What Is a Type 1 Hypervisor?

A type 1 hypervisor, also known as a bare metal hypervisor, is a software layer that runs directly on the hardware of the host machine, without the need for an underlying OS. It acts as the manager of the hardware resources and allocates them to the virtual machines (VMs) that run on top of it.

A type 1 hypervisor has direct access to the hardware components, such as the CPU, memory, disk, and network. This allows it to offer high performance, efficiency, and security for the VMs. A type 1 hypervisor can also support a large number of VMs, depending on the hardware capacity.

Some examples of type 1 hypervisors are VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer.

What Is a Type 2 Hypervisor?

A type 2 hypervisor, also known as a hosted hypervisor, is a software application that runs on top of an existing OS on the host machine. It acts as a guest program that creates and manages the VMs within the host OS.

A type 2 hypervisor does not have direct access to the hardware resources, but relies on the host OS to communicate with them. This introduces an additional layer of abstraction, which can affect the performance, efficiency, and security of the VMs. A type 2 hypervisor can also support a limited number of VMs, depending on the host OS capabilities.

Some examples of type 2 hypervisors are VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, and VMware Fusion.

Type 1 vs Type 2 Hypervisors: Pros and Cons

Both type 1 and type 2 hypervisors have their own strengths and weaknesses, depending on your needs and goals.

Here are some of the main pros and cons of each type:

Type 1 Hypervisor Pros

High performance and efficiency: A type 1 hypervisor can deliver near-native performance and resource utilization for the VMs, as it eliminates the overhead of the host OS.

High security and isolation: A type 1 hypervisor can provide strong security and isolation for the VMs, as it minimizes the attack surface and the risk of interference from the host OS.

High scalability and availability: A type 1 hypervisor can support a large number of VMs and handle high workloads, as it can leverage the full potential of the hardware resources. It can also enable load balancing and failover mechanisms for the VMs, as it can connect with other type 1 hypervisors.

Type 1 Hypervisor Cons

High complexity and cost: A type 1 hypervisor can be more complex and costly to set up and manage, as it requires dedicated hardware and specialized skills. It can also be less compatible and flexible with different hardware and software configurations, as it depends on the vendor support and licensing.

Low usability and convenience: A type 1 hypervisor can be less user-friendly and convenient, as it does not offer a graphical user interface (GUI) and requires a separate management console. It can also be less portable and versatile, as it cannot run on any device or OS.

Type 2 Hypervisor Pros

Low complexity and cost: A type 2 hypervisor can be easy and cheap to install and use, as it does not require dedicated hardware and specialized skills. It can also be more compatible and flexible with different hardware and software configurations, as it can run on any device or OS that supports virtualization.

High usability and convenience: A type 2 hypervisor can be more user-friendly and convenient, as it offers a GUI and integrates with the host OS. It can also be more portable and versatile, as it can be easily moved and copied across devices and OS.

Type 2 Hypervisor Cons

Low performance and efficiency: A type 2 hypervisor can suffer from performance and resource degradation for the VMs, as it introduces the overhead of the host OS. It can also cause conflicts and contention with the host OS processes and applications.

Low security and isolation: A type 2 hypervisor can expose the VMs to security and isolation risks, as it inherits the vulnerabilities and limitations of the host OS. It can also allow unauthorized access and interference from the host OS users and programs.

Low scalability and availability: A type 2 hypervisor can support a limited number of VMs and handle low workloads, as it depends on the host OS capabilities. It can also lack load balancing and failover mechanisms for the VMs, as it cannot connect with other type 2 hypervisors.

Type 1 vs Type 2 Hypervisors: Use Cases

The choice between type 1 and type 2 hypervisors depends on your specific needs and goals. Here are some of the common use cases for each type:

Type 1 Hypervisor Use Cases

Enterprise-scale deployments: If you need to run a large number of VMs with high performance, efficiency, security, scalability, and availability, a type 1 hypervisor is the best option.

It can help you optimize your hardware resources, reduce your operational costs, improve your security posture, and enhance your flexibility. Some examples of enterprise-scale deployments that use type 1 hypervisors are cloud computing, data centers, and server consolidation.

Thin clients: If you need to run a minimal OS with basic functionality on a device with limited hardware resources, a type 1 hypervisor is the best option. It can help you improve your device performance, efficiency, security, and lifespan.

Some examples of thin clients that use type 1 hypervisors are embedded systems, kiosks, and terminals.

Type 2 Hypervisor Use Cases

Personal use: If you need to run a few VMs with low performance, efficiency, security, scalability, and availability requirements, a type 2 hypervisor is the best option. It can help you explore different OS and applications, test new features and updates, and run legacy or incompatible software.

Some examples of personal use that use type 2 hypervisors are hobbyists, enthusiasts, and students.

Testing and development: If you need to run a few VMs with different OS and software configurations for testing and development purposes, a type 2 hypervisor is the best option.

It can help you create and manage multiple test environments, simulate various scenarios, and debug and troubleshoot issues. Some examples of testing and development that use type 2 hypervisors are software developers, quality assurance engineers, and system administrators.

Type 1 and type 2 hypervisors are both useful tools for virtualization, but they have different characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Depending on your needs and goals, you can choose the type of hypervisor that suits you best.