Description: Hypervisor licensing refers to the legal permissions and terms under which a hypervisor can be used. A hypervisor is a layer of software that enables virtualization, meaning the creation and management of virtual machines on a physical environment. This licensing can vary significantly among different providers and types of hypervisors, ranging from free and open-source licenses to commercial models that require pay-per-use or subscription fees. Key features of hypervisor licensing include restrictions on the number of instances that can be run, the type of hardware it can be installed on, and conditions for updates and technical support. The relevance of this licensing lies in its impact on resource planning and costs for organizations implementing virtualization solutions, as well as legal compliance and risk management associated with software use. Understanding licensing terms is crucial for maximizing return on investment and ensuring that virtualization implementations align with IT policies and industry regulations.
