Open Source Summit Europe 2025

Not all hypervisors are created equal. Some claim to be "bare metal" but rely on an underlying OS, while others truly separate hardware from workloads, enhancing security, stability, and performance. This session breaks down the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors, why some architectures blur the lines, and how Xen stands apart as a true, independent Type 1 hypervisor. We’ll explore how Xen can run with dom0 or dom0less, offering flexibility for both dynamic and fixed VM environments. We’ll also discuss how Xen’s streamlined, unified ecosystem avoids the fragmentation seen in other virtualization stacks. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of why hypervisor design matters and how it impacts security, efficiency, and long-term infrastructure choices.