Expose vSphere Hardware Virtualization

What is vSphere hardware virtualization

vSphere hardware virtualization is the process of using the vSphere platform to stimulate hardware functionality and create a virtual computer system. The hypervisor controls the processor, memory and other components by allowing several different operating systems to run on the same machine without the need for a source code.

The hardware virtualization technology is to consolidate many small physical servers into one large physical server so that the processor can be used more effectively, which allows IT administrators to run more virtual systems and multiple operating systems on a single server, thereby improving resource utilization and simplifying the management and deployment of servers and applications. In addition, hardware virtualization provides better security and reliability because each VM in the system is isolated and can be managed and maintained without affecting other VMs.

With VMware hardware virtualization, it becomes easier for users to manage and maintain multiple virtual machines. And here are three main types of hardware virtualization:

• Full-virtualization: VMs use virtual hardware, including virtual CPUs, virtual memory, virtual devices, etc. The operating system and applications run in the virtual machines, and users do not feel the presence of the virtual environment.
• Para-virtualization: VMs and the host share the same set of hardware, and the operating system in the virtual machine must be modified to be able to perceive the virtual environment to improve performance and efficiency.
• Emulation-virtualization: VMs emulates the hardware and thus becomes hardware independent. The guest operating system does not need to be modified in any way.

Advantages of vSphere Hardware Virtualization

vSphere Hardware virtualization allows users to run multiple operating systems and applications on the same physical server, with better performance and lower costs, with specific benefits of vSphere Hardware Virtualization that also include the following:

• Higher resource utilization: vSphere can partition a physical host into multiple virtual machines, each of which can run operating systems and applications independently, resulting in more efficient use of hardware resources.
• Higher security: Each virtual machine is isolated, so sensitive data and applications can be better protected.
• More flexible deployment: running on a variety of different hardware and operating system platforms.
• Higher reliability: providing powerful high availability and backup recovery features to ensure reliable system operation and data security.
• Easier management: providing easy-to-use management tools that make it easy to reduce the difficulty of manual intervention and management.
• Lower costs: reducing hardware, management, energy consumption, and maintenance costs.

Prerequisites of using vSphere hardware virtualization

Once the operating system and applications are virtualized in a virtual machine, you need to be reminded of the prerequisites when using hardware virtualization:

1. Compatible CPU: To use hardware virtualization technology, the CPU must support hardware virtualization technology, such as Intel's VT-x or AMD's AMD-V technology.

2. Supported operating systems: Operating systems that support vSphere hardware virtualization include VMware ESXi, Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise, etc.

3. Sufficient memory and storage: In order to run virtual machines, virtualization hosts need sufficient memory and storage to support multiple virtual machines running simultaneously.

4. Compatible network and storage: The virtualization host needs to be connected to both.

How to expose vSphere hardware virtualization to guest OS

You may get an error message about HARDWARE_VIRTUALIZATION WARNING on ESXi virtual machine although the virtualization technology is already enabled in the system BIOS. To set vSphere hardware virtualization correctly, you should do as followings.

Note：Ensure that your physical server hardware supports hardware virtualization.

1. Open the vSphere client and log in to the ESXi server by using the credentials.

2. Navigate to the Virtual Machine (VM) instance and turn it off.

3. Right-click Edit Settings of Virtual Machine on the Virtual Hardware tab, expand CPU, and select Expose hardware assisted virtualization to the guest OS.

After completing the configuration, verify that your hardware virtualization is enabled by running a virtual machine on your vSphere infrastructure.

Necessary backup for vSphere virtual machines

Any hardware damage can cause irreparable damage to your virtual machines, and once data is lost, it can be a fatal blow to your business. Therefore, a safe and secure data backup and recovery solution is essential to avoid any unpredictable disaster due to hardware or any unpredictable disaster.

So here's AOMEI Cyber Backup, a VMware backup software that allows you to backup multiple running virtual machines, adding another layer of security after you've virtualized.

Agentless Image Backup: create independent and image-based backup for VMware ESXi and Hyper-V VMs.
Support Free ESXi: Support both paid and free versions of VMware ESXi.
Various Backup Methods: Besides full backup, you can perform incremental or differential VM backup to capture only changed data and save storage space.
Automated Hot Backup: Auto backup running VMs and notify via email.
Restore from Any Point: Restore a whole VM to usable state from any history backup version.

The setup of AOMEI Cyber Backup takes no longer than 10 minutes from downloading AOMEI Cyber Backup to adding ESXi host in the centralized web console. Please click the button below to try AOMEI Cyber Backup for a 30-day free trial:

You can choose to install this VM backup software on either Windows or Linux system. And here are the steps on how to quickly back up VMware ESXi VMs:

Step 1. Access to AOMEI Cyber Backup web client, select Source Device, click VMware to Add VMware Device. Then Add vCenter or Standalone ESXi to add a host. And then click … to Bind Device.

Step 2. Create Backup Task: Navigate to Backup Task and Create New Task. Then select VMware ESXi Backup for Backup Type. After that, set the Task Name, Device, Target, Schedule and Cleanup according to your need.

Step 3. Click Start Backup and choose Add the schedule and start backup now or Add the schedule only.

Step 4. When your backups are completed, it’s easy to restore your virtual machines to another place when a disaster strikes. Navigate to Start Restore, you can change restore location here to create a new VM or restore virtual machines to another datstore/host.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hardware virtualization benefits your organization in several ways. If you also want to set up hardware virtualization correctly in your vSphere, please refer to the solutions in the article and protect your data from hardware corruption or other disasters.