How Hardware Virtualization
& Operating System Works?
Hardware virtualization allows multiple operating systems and
applications to run concurrently on a single physical server by creating
virtual machines (VMs).
Operating System (OS) is fundamental software that manages a
computer's hardware and software resources, acting as a bridge
between the user and the machine.
How hardware virtualization works?
Hardware virtualization works by using a software layer called
a hypervisor to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) on a
single physical server. The hypervisor allocates the server’s
resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, to each VM, allowing
multiple operating systems and applications to run independently
on the same hardware.
Steps of turning on hardware virtualization
1. Access the BIOs Setup: Restart your computer and enter the BIOs setup. This is usually
done by pressing a specific key (like F2, F10, Del, or Esc) during the boot process.
2. Navigate to Virtualization Settings: Look for the virtualization settings. These are often
found under sections like “Advanced,” “CPU configuration,” or “System configuration.”
3. Enable Virtualization Technology: Find the setting labeled “Intel VT-x,” “AMD-V,”
“Virtualization Technology,” or similar, and set it to “Enabled.”
4. Save and Exit: Save your changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer will reboot
with virtualization support enabled.
After enabling virtualization in BIOS, you can proceed with installing the
necessary hypervisor software for your specific environment:
• Windows: Install the Hyper-V role by accessing the “Turn Windows
features on or off” settings and selecting Hyper-V.
• Linux: Install the required virtualization packages, such as KVM, using
your distribution’s package manager.
• VMware: Deploy ESXi by downloading the ESXi installer from VMware’s
website and following the installation instructions.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your system is properly
configured for hardware virtualization, allowing you to take full advantage of
its capabilities.
Hardware
Virtualization
Windows xp guest (the computer
inside the computer)
Hardware
Virtualization (e.g.
VirtualBox)
Windows 11 (the OS used to run
the VM)
How OS-Based Virtualization Works
OS-BASED VIRTUALIZATION WORKS AS FOLLOWS:
• The host OS kernel is shared among all containers, unlike full
virtualization (e.g., VMs) where each VM has its own kernel.
• The kernel enforces isolation between containers using
namespaces (for process, network, filesystem isolation) and
cgroups (control groups) for resource allocation (CPU, memory,
disk I/O, network).
• cgroups limit and prioritize resource usage (CPU, memory, disk,
network) per container.
• The kernel ensures that a container cannot exceed its allocated
resources (unless explicitly allowed).
Operating System Based Services
• Backup and Recovery: Host operating systems can be utilized to back up
and restore virtual machines. Backup software tools can be used to ensure
data safety and system recovery.
• Security Management: Host operating systems help manage the security
of virtual machines. This includes configuring firewalls, installing antivirus
software and applying other essential security settings.
• Integration with Directory Services: Host operating systems can be
integrated with directory services like Active Directory, enabling
centralized management of users and groups.
Operating System Based Operations
Various major operations of Operating System Based Virtualization are described below:
1. Hardware capabilities can be employed such as the network
connection and CPU.
2. Connected peripherals with which Host OS can interact such as a
webcam, printer, keyboard, or scanners.
3. Host OS can be used to read or write data in files, folders, and
network shares.
In the image given below, we have the architecture of traditional virtualization
using Virtual Machines (VMs). In this setup, each VM operates as an isolated
environment, running its own guest operating system and application software.
These VMs are independent of one another, meaning each one has its own
operating system which results in higher resource consumption.
