Server and Desktop Virtualization Part 2: VMware or Microsoft?
Businesses small and large are turning to virtualization as a way to expand computing power, by creating multiple virtual workspaces (or virtual machines—VMs) that share space on a single server. As we discussed in the previous section, these VMs are administrated by a software layer called a hypervisor. Similar to the rivalry between Mac and PC in hardware products, two hypervisor programs currently seek to dominate the market: Microsoft’s “Hyper-V” and VMware’s “VSphere.” Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s briefly explore them both.