What is the Difference Between Hyper V and VMware

The main difference between Hyper V and VMware is that Hyper V is a native hypervisor that creates virtual machines on x86-64 systems running Windows while VMware is a company that provides cloud computing and platform virtualization software and services.

If we consider the traditional approach, then, different applications run on different platforms. Thus, it wastes resources and is also expensive. Therefore, virtualization is a solution to this issue. Furthermore, virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of a device, network, server or a storage device. For example, there can be a single server with multiple operating systems. Hyper V and VMware are related to virtualization.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is Hyper V
      – Definition, Functionality
2. What is VMware
      – Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Hyper V and VMware
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cloud Computing, Hyper V, VMware, Virtualization, Virtual Machine

Difference Between Hyper V and VMware - Comparison Summary

What is Hyper V

Hypervisor, also called a Virtual Machine Monitor, is a computer software, hardware or firmware that creates and runs virtual machines. Hyper V is a native hypervisor whose developer is Microsoft. It was formally known as Windows Server Virtualization. Initially, it was released with Windows Server 2008. It became available without additional charge since Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. Moreover, the standalone Windows Hyper V server is free with command line interface.

Difference Between Hyper V and VMware Hyper V is capable of creating virtual machines on x86-64 systems running Windows. Moreover, it is possible to configure a server computer running Hyper V to expose individual virtual machines to one or multiple networks.

What is VMware

VMware is an organization that provides cloud computing and platform virtualization software and services. VMware products divide into two levels: desktop and server applications. Moreover, VMware desktop software executes on major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

Hyper V vs VMware

Some desktop types are as follows.

VMware Workstation – This helps to install and run multiple copies of the same or different operating systems on a single computer.

VMware Fusion – This is designed for Mac users. It is also compatible with other VMware products and applications.

VMware Player – This is for personal users. Moreover, it is freeware and suitable for users who do not have licensed VMware products.

VMware’s software hypervisors are designed for servers.  In addition, they are bare metal embedded hypervisors that can run directly on the server and do not require an extra primary OS. Some common server VMware software are as follows.

VMware ESX Server – This is combined with VMware vCenter in order to provide additional solutions to improve the manageability and consistency of the server implementation.

VMware ESXi Server – It is similar to the ESX server. It also needs a disk with minimum space.

VMware Server – It is freeware users can use with an existing operating system such as Windows, Linux, etc.

Difference Between Hyper V and VMware

Definition

Hyper-V is a server virtualization product developed by Microsoft Corporation that provides virtualization services through hypervisor-based emulations while VMware is a company established in 1998 that provides different software and applications for virtualization. Thus, this is the main difference between Hyper V and VMware.

Usage

Hyper V helps in creating and running virtual machines while VMware provides platform virtualization and cloud computing services. Hence, this is another difference between Hyper V and VMware.

Conclusion

In brief, Hyper V and VMware are related to virtualization. The main difference between Hyper V and VMware is that Hyper V is a native hypervisor that creates virtual machines on x86-64 systems running Windows while VMware is a company that provides cloud computing and platform virtualization software and services.

References:

1.“What Is VMware? – Definition from Techopedia.” Techopedia.com, Available here.
2. edureka! YouTube, YouTube, 25 June 2018, Available here.
3. “Hyper-V.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Apr. 2019, Available here.
4.“VMware.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Apr. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1.”Hyper-V Architecture” By Terendo – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.”Computer icon and logo of VMware Workstation 11.0″ By VMware, Inc. – retrieved from VMware Workstation 11.1.0 build 2496824. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lithmee

Lithmee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering and is reading for her Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is passionate about sharing her knowldge in the areas of programming, data science, and computer systems.

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