VMware ESXi Architecture
Before we get too far into the implementation details of ESXi, you should understand how this software works and why it's the best-in-class hypervisor available. Once you have a good understanding of the software, you will be on your way to running a well-operated virtual IT environment with reduced troubleshooting effort.
Understanding the ESXi Hypervisor
ESXi, as a piece of software, is quite small in comparison to the average size of most software, weighing in at just a few hundred megabytes. The small footprint provides numerous advantages, such as reduced attack surface, less code to find bugs, shorter deployment times, and multiple deployment methods. While appearing small and simple from the outside, ESXi is actually a complex system with capabilities that have been refined over many years of vSphere releases. Let's dive into some of the inner workings of ESXi before you learn about how to actually deploy the software in your environment.
