Back

A Virtual Comparison - Hyper-V vs vSphere

When researching virtualization software it is important to understand they are not all created equal It seems as though the world is going virtual a...

4 min read
Published on Jan 28, 2015
a-virtual-comparison-hyper-v-vs-vsphere

When researching virtualization software it is important to understand they are not all created equal. It seems as though the world is going virtual and when looking at vSphere and Hyper-V there are some differences you should be aware of to avoid taking an unnecessary and costly risk in selecting a robust solution for a virtual data center. The first thing to consider is if you have a vested interest in either company. Do you currently own VMware or Microsoft products and if so have you contacted each company to see if they can offer a discount or additional support if you add vSphere or Hyper-V to your array of software from them? If you have no contractual ties with either vendor or are looking for a virtualization software suite that fits your organization’s requirements the following provides a brief overview of both Hyper-V and vSphere.

Hyper-V

Hyper-V is a Microsoft product that runs the Windows Server  family, from Windows Server 2008 R2, through Windows Server 2012. This software tool allows you to establish a virtual server environment. A virtual computing environment helps maximize efficiency of your network resources by using more of your hardware’s capabilities. Hyper-V allows you to create and manage multiple virtual machines off a single server. You can also run multiple operating systems on the same server with Hyper-V.

Hyper-V is installed from the Windows wizard and redesigns the architecture of the OS as it is installed to become an additional layer installed on the physical server. Hyper-V can be installed as a feature in Windows Server or as a stand-alone Microsoft Hyper-V Server. If you plan to purchase Hyper-V strictly for virtualization you are best purchasing the stand-alone server version to save money and maximize use out of your server as the stand-alone is not installed on a machine that already has Windows Server and is a scaled down version of Windows Server which does not have the additional features you won’t use in the virtual environment. The GUI is scaled down and un-necessary features are not installed on the stand-alone version either.

All functions in Hyper-V are managed through the Hyper-V Manager GUI. Using the Manager interface you can change, create, and delete virtual mahcines (VMs) as well as manage dependent operations within each VM. You can also create snapshots, import VMs, and enable replication.

Hyper-V is an excellent virtualization tool and is not just limited to Microsoft VMs. As mentioned earlier you can also create VMs using Linux that run with Hyper-V. Hyper-V is a great choice if you are already accustomed to Microsoft products in how they operate.

vSphere

vSphere is a virtualization suite by VMware which allows you to build VMs either in the Cloud, at remote sites, or within your physical data center. Cited as being the virtualization pioneers, VMware continues to make its mark on virtualization by developing tools and products such as vSphere which are prepared to bring VMs to mobile devices and the Cloud.

vSphere runs on any x86 application at scale and at full operational efficiency. The latest release is vSphere 5.5 also known as ESXi and is a bare bones hypervisor that installs on top of your physical server much like Hyper-V and creates partitions to run multiple VMs. The physical resources are shared equally across all the VMs you create so they can all run at equal times. vSphere’s management is available remotely and requires less than 150MB of disk space since there is no underlying operating sytem which requires fewer patches and provides a small attack surface.

The 5.5 platform provides replication and data protection which provides backup and recovery protection. Data protection has a wizard driven setup to easily deploy a data protection resolution within a vSphere VM environment. One of the highlights of vSphere Data Protection is that it reduces complexities in deploying a backup server as well as a reduced time to deploy a backup.

Conclusion

Hyper-V comes with the Windows Server family of products, and integrates well with Azure for a comprehensive virtualization solution. vSphere, on the other hand, has high upfront costs and costs more to maintain. Although both hypervisors provide a great way to virtualize your datacenter, provide security, data protection, and backup; in the long run, Hyper-V is the hypervisor of choice for today’s business.  

This post has matured and its content may no longer be relevant beyond historical reference. To see the most current information on a given topic, click on the associated category or tag.

Related Posts

Understanding DFARS Compliance

DFARS Compliance: A Guide to Federal Cybersecurity Requirements

Learn about DFARS compliance and how it ensures the security of federal data. Explore key requirements, NIST 800-171 alignment, and tips for achieving compliance.

Feb 3, 2025
7 min read
Office 365 License Comparison: Business Plans Vs. E5, E3 and E1

Master Microsoft & CIS Benchmark Best Practices to Secure Your Environment

Discover how to implement Microsoft & CIS Benchmark best practices to strengthen your business security and protect your environment from evolving threats with expert guidance.

Jan 28, 2025
7 min read
Screen Capture Protection in Windows 365

How to Enable Screen Capture Protection in Windows 365 for Enhanced Security

Learn how to enable and use screen capture protection in Windows 365 to secure sensitive information and prevent unauthorized captures, enhancing your organization's data security.

Jan 21, 2025
7 min read
Office 365 Collaboration Tools

Office 365 Collaboration Tools: Are They Right for Your Organization?

Explore how Office 365's collaboration tools can enhance your organization's productivity and security.

Jan 12, 2025
6 min read
NIST 800 171 vs NIST 800 53

NSA Cybersecurity Collaboration: No-Cost Services Available to DoD Contractors

Learn how NSA cybersecurity collaboration provides no-cost services to DoD contractors, helping enhance security and compliance with advanced cyber protections.

Jan 10, 2025
6 min read
When is a New CMMC Assessment Needed

Understanding When and Why You Need a New CMMC Assessment

Learn when to schedule a new CMMC assessment, what triggers reassessments, and how changes in scope, contracts, or compliance impact your certification process.

Jan 6, 2025
9 min read

Ready to Secure and Defend Your Data
So Your Business Can Thrive?

Fill out the form to see how we can protect your data and help your business grow.

Loading...
Secure. Defend. Thrive.

Let's start a conversation

Discover more about Agile IT's range of services by reaching out.

Don't want to wait for us to get back to you?

Schedule a Free Consultation

Location

Agile IT Headquarters
4660 La Jolla Village Drive #100
San Diego, CA 92122

Secure. Defend. Thrive.

Don't want to wait for us to get back to you?

Discover more about Agile IT's range of services by reaching out

Schedule a Free Consultation