# VMware Player & Linux KVM - Which Hypervisor Type Do They Belong To?

A hypervisor is a special software that allows you to run multiple operating systems (like Windows, Linux, etc.) on a single computer. It acts as a layer between the hardware and the operating systems, making it possible for different operating systems to share the same hardware resources like CPU, memory, and storage.

Hypervisors are often used in virtualization, which is a technology that creates virtual versions of physical components like servers, storage devices, and networks.

This allows you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical machine, making it easier to manage and utilize resources more efficiently.

**There are two main types of hypervisors:** Type 1 (bare-metal) and Type 2 (hosted). VMware Player and Linux KVM are examples of these two types, respectively.

## Type 1 (Bare-Metal) Hypervisor

A bare-metal hypervisor is a type of hypervisor that runs directly on the physical hardware of the computer. It has complete control over the hardware resources and manages the allocation of resources to the guest operating systems running on top of it.

One example of a bare-metal hypervisor is the ESXi hypervisor from VMware. It is a powerful and widely used hypervisor in enterprise environments, providing advanced features for virtualization and management of virtual machines.

## Type 2 (Hosted) Hypervisor

A hosted hypervisor, on the other hand, runs on top of an existing operating system. It uses the resources of the host operating system to create and manage virtual machines.

VMware Player and Linux KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) are examples of hosted hypervisors.

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### VMware Player

VMware Player is a free virtualization software from VMware that allows you to run multiple operating systems on your computer as virtual machines. It is a hosted hypervisor, which means it runs on top of an existing operating system like Windows or Linux.

VMware Player is easy to use and provides a simple interface for creating and managing virtual machines. It supports a wide range of guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

### Linux KVM

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a virtualization technology built into the Linux kernel. It allows you to run multiple virtual machines on a single Linux host.

Unlike VMware Player, which is a separate software application, KVM is a part of the Linux kernel itself. This means that it has better performance and integration with the host operating system.

KVM supports a variety of guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and various Unix-based systems.

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## Conclusion

In summary, VMware Player and Linux KVM are both examples of hypervisors, but they belong to different types. VMware Player is a Type 2 (hosted) hypervisor, which means it runs on top of an existing operating system, while Linux KVM is a Type 1 (bare-metal) hypervisor, which runs directly on the physical hardware.

Both hypervisors allow you to run multiple operating systems on a single computer, enabling virtualization and efficient resource utilization. However, they differ in their architecture, performance, and feature set.

The choice between VMware Player and Linux KVM depends on your specific requirements, such as the operating system you're running, the level of performance you need, and the complexity of your virtualization environment.