Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

What key component of virtualization allows you to run multiple independent operating systems on one physical system?

1. A hypervisor

2. A server

3. A virtual machine

4. A container

The correct answer is: A hypervisor

The key component that enables the execution of multiple independent operating systems on a single physical system is the hypervisor. A hypervisor acts as an interface between the hardware and the virtual machines. It allocates physical resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, to each virtual machine, allowing them to operate independently. There are two types of hypervisors: Type 1, which runs directly on the hardware (also known as bare-metal hypervisors), and Type 2, which runs on top of a host operating system. Both types facilitate the creation and management of virtual machines, enabling a virtual environment where different operating systems can coexist and function without interference. While the other terms are related to virtualization, they serve different purposes. A server is a physical or virtual machine that provides services or resources to other machines. A virtual machine represents a single instance of an operating system running on a hypervisor, not the technology that enables it. Containers represent lightweight, isolated environments that virtualize the operating system instead of the hardware, which distinguishes them from traditional virtual machines. Therefore, the hypervisor stands out as the fundamental technology that makes it possible to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on one physical system.