Hardware virtualization utilizes the following key components:
1. **CPU (Central Processing Unit)**: Specifically, a CPU with a Feature called **Virtualization Extensions** or **Hardware-Assisted Virtualization**. This feature allows the CPU to support the creation of multiple independent virtual machines (VMs) that can run multiple operating systems on top of a single physical machine. Popular CPUs with virtualization extensions include Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors with Intel VT-x (Virtualization Technology) or Intel VT-d (Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O), and AMD processors with AMD-V (Virtualization).
2. **Motherboard**: The motherboard contains the northbridge and southbridge, which provide the connectivity between the CPU and other components of the system. The motherboard also contains chipsets that provide virtualization support.
3. **Memory (RAM)**: Virtualization requires large amounts of memory to run multiple VMs efficiently. Typically, 16 GB or more of RAM is recommended for running multiple VMs.
4. **Storage (HDD/SSD)**: Virtualization requires a storage device to store the virtual machine images (VMDK, VDI, or other formats). A solid-state drive (SSD) is recommended for VMs as it provides faster storage speeds.
5. **GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)**: Some virtualization software requires a dedicated GPU to enable advanced graphics rendering and hardware acceleration. This is particularly useful for applications that rely heavily on graphics, such as video editing and gaming.
6. **BMC (Baseboard Management Controller)**: Some servers include a BMC, which provides out-of-band management capabilities for the server, allowing administrators to access and control the server even during a power outage or while the operating system is unresponsive.
7. **x2APIC (eXtended APIC)**: This feature is used for virtualization, and it's needed to enable higher-than-root-level interrupt handling, such as dynamic Interrupt Targeting and also for enabling VT-x (Intel) and AMD-V.
8. **PCU (Power Control Unit)**: Offers support for virtual power management, allowing the virtual environment to request specific power properties (such as performance states and power consumption) from the physical host.
Hardware virtualization relies on these components working together to create and manage virtual machines, which can run separate operating systems and applications, each with its own configuration and resources.