mediumMultiple Select
350-401 Practice Question: Which two statements about Type 1 and Type 2…
Which two statements about Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors are true? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the definitions of Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors, or misidentifying common products like ESXi (Type 1) and Workstation (Type 2).
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A Type 1 hypervisor runs directly on the physical hardware without a host operating system.
Option A is correct because a Type 1 (bare-metal) hypervisor, such as VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V Server, or Citrix XenServer, installs and runs directly on the physical hardware and does not require an underlying host operating system. Option D is correct because VMware Workstation is a Type 2 (hosted) hypervisor that installs as an application on top of an existing host OS like Windows or Linux. Option B is incorrect because it describes a Type 1, not a Type 2, hypervisor — Type 2 hypervisors require a host operating system. Option C is incorrect because VMware ESXi is a Type 1 bare-metal hypervisor, not Type 2. Option E is incorrect because Type 1 hypervisors are typically deployed in data centers and server virtualization scenarios, whereas Type 2 hypervisors are more commonly used for desktop virtualization and testing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A Type 1 hypervisor runs directly on the physical hardware without a host operating system.
Why this is correct
A Type 1 hypervisor, such as ESXi or Hyper-V, installs directly on bare metal and controls hardware itself, with no underlying host OS. This matches the stem's statement that it runs directly on physical hardware without a host operating system.
- ✗
A Type 2 hypervisor runs directly on the physical hardware without a host operating system.
Why it's wrong here
A Type 2 hypervisor runs as an application on top of a host operating system, so it cannot run directly on hardware; that describes Type 1. It is tempting because bare-metal execution is the defining performance advantage of virtualisation, but attributing it to Type 2 inverts the architectural distinction.
- ✗
VMware ESXi is an example of a Type 2 hypervisor.
Why it's wrong here
ESXi installs directly on bare metal, so it is a Type 1 hypervisor; Type 2 runs atop a host OS such as Windows or Linux. The option is tempting because VMware also ships Type 2 products like Workstation and Fusion, which are the correct examples for that classification.
- ✓
VMware Workstation is an example of a Type 2 hypervisor.
Why this is correct
VMware Workstation installs as an application atop Windows or Linux, relying on that host OS for hardware drivers and scheduling. This host-dependent architecture is the defining characteristic of a Type 2 hypervisor, satisfying the stem's example claim.
- ✗
Type 1 hypervisors are typically used for desktop virtualization in enterprise environments.
Why it's wrong here
Type 1 hypervisors run directly on hardware in data centres for server consolidation; desktop virtualisation on a workstation uses a Type 2 hypervisor hosted by an operating system. The statement is tempting because Type 1 offers strong performance and isolation, which enterprise deployments value, but that applies to servers, not desktops.
About these practice questions
This 350-401 question is part of Courseiva's 1,923-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.