Microsoft Hyper-V vs VirtualBox

May 27, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Microsoft Hyper-V
Microsoft Hyper-V provides enterprise-class virtualization for your datacenter and hybrid cloud. Bolster IT efficiency and flexibility with the faster application deployment and maintenance that Microsoft virtualization solutions deliver. Reduce costs by consolidating more workloads on fewer servers and increase agility using the same virtualization platform on-premises and in the cloud.
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VirtualBox
Oracle VirtualBox is a powerful virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2. See "About VirtualBox" for an introduction.
Microsoft Hyper-V and VirtualBox are both popular virtualization platforms, but they have key differences worth noting.

1. Hypervisor Type: Hyper-V is a Type 1 hypervisor that runs directly on the hardware without relying on an underlying operating system, whereas VirtualBox is a Type 2 hypervisor that runs on top of the host operating system. This difference can affect performance and resource utilization.

2. Platform Compatibility: Hyper-V is a native virtualization solution for Windows operating systems and integrates tightly with other Microsoft technologies, making it a preferred choice for Windows-centric environments. On the other hand, VirtualBox is a cross-platform virtualization solution, supporting various host operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris, making it more versatile for multi-platform environments.

3. Feature Set: Hyper-V offers a comprehensive feature set suitable for enterprise virtualization needs. It supports advanced features like live migration, high availability, failover clustering, and integration with other Microsoft products like System Center for centralized management. VirtualBox, while feature-rich, is more commonly used for desktop virtualization and testing environments, with a focus on ease of use and flexibility.

4. Management Tools: Hyper-V is managed through Microsoft's built-in management tools like Hyper-V Manager and System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM). These tools provide centralized management, resource allocation, and monitoring capabilities. VirtualBox provides a user-friendly graphical interface and command-line tools for managing virtual machines and offers features like snapshotting, cloning, and virtual machine import/export.

5. Licensing: Hyper-V is included as part of Windows Server operating systems, making it a cost-effective choice for Windows Server users. VirtualBox, on the other hand, is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is available free of charge for personal and evaluation use, but commercial usage may require a separate license.

See also: Top 10 Virtualization platforms
Microsoft Hyper-V vs VirtualBox in our news:

2020. Microsoft makes it easier to get started with Windows Virtual Desktops



Windows Virtual Desktop, Microsoft's service designed to provide employees with access to a virtualized desktop environment on Azure, has introduced a new and improved management experience to simplify administrative tasks. This update aims to streamline the initial setup process for administrators, making it more convenient to get started with the service. Alongside enhancing the management experience, Microsoft is introducing a new capability that enables the use of Microsoft Teams for video meetings within these virtual desktop environments. This functionality, known as 'A/V redirection,' allows users to seamlessly connect their local audio and video hardware to virtual machines with minimal latency. It is important to note that this feature will be gradually rolled out over the next month or so.


2011. Microsoft Hyper-V vs VMware: video



In recent times, Microsoft's marketing team has been known for creating humorous videos targeting their competitors. One such video has emerged, focusing on GMail, and now they have released another video targeting VMWare, their main competitor in the virtualization market. The video showcases Tad, a salesman at VMLimited, a company seemingly stuck in the IT past. Tad attends business meetings with clients in his cool minivan, attempting to sell them his "limited" virtualization system while other companies are already offering private clouds. This represents modern IT humor, where Tad claims to be selling a cloud, but in reality, he is offering nothing more than virtualization. One can only imagine the reaction of Larry Ellison if he were to hear this, as it might make his hair stand on end.

Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com