Introduction to VMware vSphere Hypervisor

Jack

By Jack

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VMware vSphere Hypervisor

VMware vSphere Hypervisor from VMware is a bare-metal, free hypervisor. It enables users to virtualize consolidated applications and servers. This hypervisor has been there since 2008. At that time, this hypervisor was known as Free ESXi 3.5.

The hypervisor lacks certain enterprise-grade characteristics of the complete VMware ESXi version, like Storage vMotion, vMotion, Distributed Resource Scheduler, vSphere Data, and High Availability.

However, the hypervisor includes:

  • Restore and snapshot capabilities
  • Thin provisioning of VM disks
  • Virtual guest OS support
  • Hardened device drivers
  • vSphere client’s support
  • Over-commitment of the memory
  • Support for iSCSI, NFS shared storage, and Fibre Channel

After adding a license file, people can upgrade to various advanced versions of the VMware vSphere Hypervisor.

Part 1: What is vSphere Hypervisor?

vSphere Hypervisor is a bare-metal and free hypervisor that virtualizes servers. It allows users to consolidate their applications while saving money and time in managing their IT infrastructure.

VMware vSphere ESXi Hypervisor is manufactured on the most robust and smallest architecture in the world. This sets an industry standard for performance, support, and reliability. After this, you should know what makes vSphere different from others.

PS: Here is everything about VMware vCenter converter & VMware P2V converter.

Part 2: What vSphere Hypervisor Does

If you have no clue what VMware vSphere Hypervisor does, then this section is what you need to read now. Here, we have listed some important things that vSphere Hypervisor does.

vSphere Hypervisor helps you in carrying out certain tasks effectively and efficiently. Some of the important things that this program can do are as follows:

Inbuilt VM Management

Provision and create your virtual machines within minutes.

Effective Storage Allocation

Assign the storage resources beyond the physical storage’s actual capacity.

Advanced Memory Resourcing

Overcommit memory resources and carry out compression and page sharing to optimize performance.

Driver Hardening

Ensure high reliability and optimal performance through partnerships using independent hardware vendors.

Part 3: How to Install VMware vSphere Hypervisor

Users can easily install VMware vSphere Hypervisor on their own or with some help. If they are in search of a DIY approach, then download the installer and accept the end-user license agreement. After this, they can choose which local drive they would like to install this program.

Create Virtual Machines

After you have installed VMware vSphere Hypervisor, there are lots of methods to create VMs. Here, we are listing three different ways to perform this task. So, have a look at them below!

  • Employ the VMware vCenter Converter for transferring existing servers into VMs. Or, one can even import third-party VM images and existing VMware.
  • Produce virtual machines from the start by specifying the amount of memory, disks, number of CPUs, and network interfaces required. After that, one has to load the operating system from a boot disk or ISO images.
  • Import virtual appliances, and there are lots to select from on the VMware Solution Exchange.

Configuration

After you have imported or installed the virtual machines, you will require to configure them. To get started, you can refer to the configuration and installation video within the section ‘Resources’ on the official website of vSphere Hypervisor.

In case you need support, purchasing Per Incident Support for vSphere Hypervisor is best.

Upgrade to VMware vSphere

As you move up to the paid vSphere version, it lets you optimize the IT infrastructure further. Once you got hands on it, you will be able to do the following things:

  • Storage and pool computing resources across various physical hosts.
  • Enjoy centralized management of several hosts via VMware vCenter Server.
  • Take benefit of business continuity, advanced backup, automatic load balancing, and restore capabilities for the virtual machines.
  • Carry out live migration of your virtual machines.
  • Deliver enhanced operational efficiency and service levels.

Part 4: Get Acquainted with Platform Integrity Protection

Secure Software Packaging

VIB (vSphere Installation Bundle) is an ESXi software package. CIM provides VMware and its package solution partners, applications, and driver, extending the ESXi platform; these are packages as VIBs.

vSphere Installation Bundles are usually present in software depots. People can employ VIBs for creating and customizing ESXi ISO pictures or for upgrading ESXi hosts by installing the VIBs onto the hosts.

Every VIB comes up with a rating known as an acceptable level. This acceptance level regulates which VIBs could be installed on a host. A digital signature guarantees it.

VMware supports several acceptance levels, such as Community Supported, Partner Supported, VMware Accepted, and VMware Certified.

Software Integrity and Assurance Protection

vSphere employs Intel Trusted Execution Technology/ Trusted Platform Module (TXT/TPM) for providing remote attestation of the VMware vSphere Hypervisor image depending on the hardware root of trust.

The image comprises several elements like third-party VIBs, ESXi software in VIB format, and third-party drivers. To leverage this capability, the ESXi system should have TXT and TPM enabled.

When TXT and TPM are enabled, the software measures the complete Hypervisor stack while the system boots. The software stores the measurements in the TPM’s PCRs (Platform Configuration Registers).

The measurements comprise the kernel modules, native management applications running on ESXi, VMkernel, drivers, and other boot-time configuration options. The measurements for all the installed VIBs are exposed in the vSphere API.

Trusted Computing Group states that the API provides an event log. After comparing the image to the expected image, a third-party solution could leverage this feature to detect the Hypervisor image’s tampering.

Please note that people should utilize third-party solutions for entirely leveraging vSphere TXT/TPM baseline support aimed at Hypervisor attestation. This is because vSphere does not offer a user interface for viewing the measurements.

Part 5: Know About VMware Secure Development Cycle

VMware vSphere Hypervisor employs various techniques throughout the software development cycle to improve the products’ security.

The standard techniques, employing external and internal expertise, comprise static code analysis, threat modeling, penetration testing, and incident response planning.

VMware features an established Software Security Engineering Group, which integrates the techniques into the development cycle.

It even offers guidance on recent security threats, security expertise, defensive techniques, and the development organization’s exercise.

The group is even responsible for moving VMware products via external security certifications and accreditations.

VMware vCenter Server 5.0 and vSphere 5.0 attained Common Criteria certification at EAL4+ (Evaluation Assurance Level 4) within the CCEVS.

This international set of guidelines offers an average framework to evaluate IT security products’ security capabilities and features.

Before the Common Criteria certification scheme reform, EAL4+ used to be the highest recognized assurance level under the CCRA (Common Criteria Recognition Agreement).

The Criteria evaluations transit from EAL levels to protection profiles. With time, these profiles become available, EAL levels disappear, and the products will be evaluated against the safety requirements defined by protection profiles.

There’s a virtualization profile to which vSphere evaluations in the future will conform. Until the protection profiles become present for every particular technology kind, security evaluations based on targets will be acted at EAL Level 2. VMware vSphere 5.1 is being measured at EAL Level 2.

Suppose you want to know more about EAL2 vs. EAL4 and protection profiles pertaining to vSphere 5.1. Or other products from VMware, it is best to refer to the VMware Common Criteria Update blog.

VMware Security Response Policy exhibits the commitment of VMware to resolving vulnerabilities related to VMware products. Thus, it assures its customers that any issue like this will be corrected quickly.

The Security Center of VMware is an all-in-one stop for issues linked to security that involves VMware products. This helps clients to keep an eye on all security problems and to comprehend matters associated with protecting the virtual infrastructure.

Using VMware vSphere Hypervisor, VMware has constructed one of the most robust and secure virtualization platforms.

VMware features the processes and technology to ensure a high standard is maintained in all present and future VMware products.

Thus, this program ensures its clients can enjoy all the advantages of running the most critical vSphere services on VMware ESXi without compromising security.

FAQs

1. Can I upgrade from VMware vSphere Hypervisor to other VMware vSphere editions?

Yes, you can upgrade from VMware vSphere Hypervisor to other editions such as vSphere Standard, vSphere Enterprise, or vSphere Enterprise Plus. The upgrade allows you to access additional features and advanced capabilities offered by these editions.

2. Is there a cost associated with VMware vSphere Hypervisor?

VMware vSphere Hypervisor is available as a free download. However, if you require advanced features and functionalities, you may need to consider upgrading to paid editions of VMware vSphere.

3. Can I migrate virtual machines from other hypervisors to VMware vSphere Hypervisor?

Yes, VMware vSphere Hypervisor supports the migration of virtual machines from other hypervisors using VMware vCenter Converter. This tool enables seamless conversion and transfer of VMs to the vSphere Hypervisor environment.

4. Is vSphere Hypervisor suitable for small businesses?

Yes, vSphere Hypervisor is well-suited for small businesses as it offers a cost-effective virtualization solution with essential features for managing virtual machines. It provides scalability, flexibility, and simplifies IT management, making it an ideal choice for small-scale virtualization deployments.

5. Can I manage multiple vSphere Hypervisor hosts from a single interface?

Yes, by integrating vSphere Hypervisor hosts with VMware vCenter Server, you can manage multiple hosts and their virtual machines from a single centralized interface. vCenter Server provides advanced management capabilities and enables efficient administration of vSphere Hypervisor environments.

Conclusion

Now, you know why you should go for this bare-metal hypervisor. VMware vSphere Hypervisor is a great program that assists you in virtualizing servers.

The software helps users to manage their IT infrastructure by consolidating their applications. Thus, this program will save you precious time and money.

If you are looking for a program that meets the industry standard’s support, reliability, and performance, then VMware vSphere Hypervisor is the best software you will find online.

So, wait no more and go for this incredible software to virtualize your servers hassle-free and effectively. To install this program, visit the official website of VMware!

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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