What does the VMkernel in VMware vSphere manage?

The VMkernel in VMware vSphere is responsible for managing virtualized resources, which include the CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources of the virtual machines (VMs) running on a host. It acts as a thin layer between the physical hardware and the virtual machines, providing the necessary abstraction to efficiently allocate and manage these resources. This involves scheduling CPU time, managing memory allocation, and handling input and output operations to ensure that VMs run effectively and can utilize the underlying hardware resources efficiently.

In addition to resource management, the VMkernel plays a crucial role in tasks such as memory ballooning, swapping, and virtual device management, all of which aim to optimize performance and resource utilization across all virtual machines. Its efficient handling of virtualized resources is fundamental to the overall functionality and performance of the VMware vSphere environment.