KVM VS HYPER V – Visualr

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Introduction:

One cannot deny the importance and usage of Computer technology in organizations. It has helped in all the means whether the recording of data, communication, administration, or management. Every task has become more concise and professional.

Earlier, when computer technology was introduced to organizations, it was primarily used for recording data, sending and receiving mails. That was too a real landmark at that time, as it replaced the manual work, leading to the maximum utilization of the time. As the working on computer consumed less time than the manual, hence, the time was saved to physically maintain the files and folders by doing all the work in the computer with a few clicks.

Later network system was introduced. In the form of LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network).LAN is a network that connects the computer within a certain area whereas WAN spreads to a larger area even the countries, so the internet is an example of WAN. Internet was introduced that brought people from all over the world on a single platform. It became possible to communicate and access the information required from anywhere while using your computer. We have compiled the best information about KVM vs Hyper V in the article. We suggest you to explore more.

Above we have discusses the network in general terms, now talking specifically, many organizations are working but installing network systems that facilitate their working and flourish their business. As we know in the organizations, many people are working at a time, so require a large number of resources too.

Let’s say if there are 100 employees in an organization, having their computer systems on their seat, all the working they do in their individual computers, but when it comes to using different hardware such as printer and scanners, would it be feasible to allow each employee with a separate one? First of all, it would cost too much, secondly, there would be hundreds of wires and cables spread all around which would be messy and there would be more heat exerted in the atmosphere. It will create a problem for the management, if certain hardware fails, it would need to spend its time and would increase its expense for its repair. The number of accessories increases, probability of their failure increase too.

So, to meet the needs of multiple employees, a system of virtualization was introduced.

What is Virtualization?

The concept of virtualization was first created in the 1960s which was not common until many years. It is a process that allows users of multiple computers as guest computers to the host computers to access its resources whether hardware or software. For example, if the employees need to print a copy of the document, they need a printer for this, but it is not feasible for the management to assign each employee a separate printer, so by using the system of virtualization a system is created which allows multiple users to access a single device.

$\"What$

There are different types OF Virtualization such as;

Server Virtualization, Application Virtualization, Network Virtualization, Storage Virtualization, and Desktop Virtualization.

Server Virtualization – It is a process in which a software program is used to create multiple virtual servers with a single physical server.

Application Virtualization– It allows users of different computers to gain access and work on the desktop of the host computer (server).

Network Virtualization – It is a software system created in which multiple network units link with a single network.

Storage Virtualization– It is a system to extract the physical data storage from multiple devices and make it centralized as a single storage system.

Desktop Virtualization – This system allows the users by connecting to the internet to work on its operating system from home or any other location.

So far we talked about the system of virtualization, how software programs can create a network for its users to gain access to it whether by physically being present or away.

A Virtual Machine:

Virtual Machine is a software program, that functions as a separate computer within your computer without meddling with your current operating system. It runs in the operating system on the desktop of a computer through an app window.

The virtual machine has contributed to increasing productivity and efficiency within an organization.

There are further its different types, which are served at different places for a different purpose. Some of them are namely; Windows Virtual Machines, Android Virtual Machines, Mac Virtual Machines, Linux Virtual Machines, Python Virtual Machines, Java Virtual Machines, and so on. We are mainly going to focus on a Linux Virtual Machine and a Window Virtual Machine, which are KVM and Hyper V. These are hypervisors that mean, these are computer software that generates and manage virtual machines.

KVM– Kernel-based Virtual Machine is a virtualization technology built into Linux. Through its software technology, it allows Linux to act as a hypervisor allowing the host computer to get connected to the guest computers. By this it allows multiple guest systems to operate in a single physical host computer. It allows the users to get the benefits of using single hardware, it also helps to categorize the tasks into separate servers such as application servers, document servers, eliminating the need for additional hardware. The system of the guest virtual computers can be backed up in the host computer when in need can be accessed with a few clicks and its system is secured. KVM cannot be used in Windows Computers but can be as connected as a guest system.

HYPER V – It is a technology created by Microsoft that allows users to create a virtual system by connecting different virtual systems to a single physical server which can be downloaded free from the Microsoft Download Center. It is specially designed for windows. It creates different partitions within the system, the host server as being the parent and the partitions the child which are the multiple virtual systems created that are using their individual operating systems. By centralized task loads on the virtual servers, it can reduce the actual number of physical servers. It is an affordable virtualization system for companies who are already enjoying the benefits of the Windows Server.

KVM VS HYPER V

KVM is a specially built-in Linux system whereas Hyper V is made by Microsoft.
KVM is a type 2 hypervisor, which means like the other computer programs, it runs on another operating system whereas Hyper V is a type 1 hypervisor, which means it runs independently on the host computer’s hardware and manages its operation, doesn’t rely on any other program.
KVM only supports Linux, its host computer should have Linux operating system whereas Hyper V can be run on Linux too along with Windows operating system.
KVM is a good choice for gaming it doesn’t affect its performance, whereas hyper v slows down gaming performance.
KVM is faster as compared to Hyper V.

Benefits of using Virtual Machine:

There are various benefits of using a virtual machine for the organization. It has aided in the smooth working the enterprises. Some of the major benefits are elaborated below;

$\"Benefits$

Reduction in Expense – It has reduced the expense incurred of an organization to a large extent as it allows multiple users to gain access to the hardware and software of the host computer. The management has been relaxed from spending extra amount on hardware devices and software programs for individual users, it has enabled multiple people to avail themselves the utility of the resources from a single system.

Minimization of downtime –it has happened so, whenever a user’s computer system fails to work, he doesn’t have to wait till it gets back into the working condition but I may continue working on the virtual machine. It is also a great source of data backup, in case data is lost from a computer, it may be retrieved from the host. It increases the stability and security of the working circle.

An overall increase in the organization’s efficiency- it helps to increase the overall efficiency of the organization, by minimizing its cost, profit may be increased, virtual machine help to eliminate the use of lots of different hardware devices and by providing user access to its system, the information needed and the resources needed can be utilized fast.

Apart from the benefits, every system comes along with some disadvantages too, next we are going to discuss some disadvantages of the Virtual Machines.

Disadvantages of Virtual Machines

High Initial Cost – The cost of setting up the virtual machine system is very high, different hardware and software need to be purchased for its installation.

Slower than the Real Machines – The working process of virtual machines is quite slower than the real machine because as the free memory drops down the limit, the host computer will start interchanging the disk to come to align with the minimum limit of free memory, this will slow down its overall performance.

Security Risk – Virtualization of machines increases the security risk, as all the computers are interconnected, if one machine is attacked by malware or a hacker, it will expand to all of the virtualization systems.

Best Virtual Machines Software in the Market:

There are many software programs currently available in the market that allow organizations to create virtualization system, as it is a dire need of the expanded commerce today as the businesses are expanded, the working has also expanded simultaneously resulting in the increased workforce which requires multiple systems to be interconnected to each other and managed in a single platform easy to be administered, which is done by the host computers in the setup of the virtual machine. Further, we are going to point out the top products available for the virtualization of the systems.

$\"Best$

Following are the best virtual machines Software for different Operating Systems apart from KVM and Hyper V;

Xen Project – run by Linux as Guest Operating System
QEMU- run by Linux, Microsoft Windows, MacOS
Citrix Hypervisor-used for both windows and Linux
Parallels Desktop- it functions to run windows on Mac
Virtual Box – its can be run on Windows, MacOS, Linux

Final Conclusion:

Ending this discussion, we are now able to acknowledge the need, importance, and use of virtual machines in organizations. As it is not convenient to manage and control multiple computer systems by the administrator, cost of separate complete sets with individual hardware devices and software applications would also add to the expense of the organization, so for this purpose virtualization is the best option lying in their hands.

It enables the connection of multiple guest virtual machines with a single host machine enabling them to use its hardware and software resources, as well as providing a source of continuous backup of their system, but there is a security risk attached to it, if one machine is affected, it will affect all the others interconnected, but this risk can be eliminated by installing a proper firewall system in the overall system.

To create virtual machines, different software programs are available, specifically hyper v and KVM was our main focus. It is difficult to choose among these two as both of these have some kind of salient feature. KVM and Hyper V are open-source software that can be used, modified, and downloaded for free.

KVM is faster than Hyper V and its working process does not affect the performance of gaming whereas Hyper V slows it to some extent but hyper v overcomes this by being able to run independently on a host computer system whereas KVM runs as another software programs on an operating system.

To conclude, it would not be inappropriate to mention that each of them have different features and advantages, having their own importance and cannot compete with each other as one has an advantage, the other has another advantage making both of them useful for the consumers in one or another way, so one should go on to select the software which best meets one\’s needs which can be done by reviewing them thoroughly and then chose the one which suits the most for one’s working environment and cash available for implementation.

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