Search code examples
cloudvirtualization

Full Virtualization or Para Virtualization


For cloud computing platforms providing managed services to their customers, what is more suited: Full Virtualization or Para Virtualization? and Why?


Solution

  • It depends on the requirements:

    Para Virtualization:

    • Needs the guest OS to be hacked.
    • Better performance
    • Support for specific OSes.

    Full Virtualization

    • Can use the OS as it is (untouched).
    • Lower performance because of emulating privileged instruction (Those that trap if the processor is in user mode).
    • Support for mostly any OS

    So, regarding your need, you should use the one that fits your needs.