Microsoft Launches Hyperlight Wasm: Fast, Secure, OS-Free WebAssembly Execution

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<div><p><a href="https://administraciondesistemas.com/microsoft-hyperlight-wasm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft has just introduced <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong></a>, an innovative open-source solution designed to run WebAssembly (Wasm) workloads inside lightweight virtual machines, eliminating the need for a full operating system. This advancement promises to revolutionize the way applications are executed in cloud environments by providing high performance, security, and low latency—key features for the future of native computing.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is Hyperlight Wasm?</h3><p>Hyperlight Wasm is an extension of <strong>Hyperlight</strong>, an open-source project based on Rust that aims to run embedded functions with hypervisor-level protection. Unlike traditional virtual machines, which require loading a complete operating system and full virtual devices, <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> offers a lighter approach: it only exposes a portion of memory and a CPU to run applications. This approach eliminates the typical overhead of traditional operating systems, allowing WebAssembly applications to run much faster, with startup times measured in milliseconds rather than seconds.</p><p>The solution is compatible with various platforms, including <strong>Windows</strong>, <strong>Linux</strong>, and <strong>macOS</strong>, and is designed to run Wasm applications without the need for a full operating system, making it ideal for high-performance environments like cloud computing.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Advantages of Hyperlight Wasm: Speed, Security, and Simplicity</h3><p>One of the standout features of <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> is its <strong>speed</strong>. Unlike traditional virtual machines, which can take up to 125 milliseconds to boot due to loading a full operating system, <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> only takes between 1 and 2 milliseconds to create a new execution environment. This not only improves startup times but also allows applications to be run on cheaper hardware, closer to users, reducing operational costs.</p><p>The <strong>security</strong> aspect has also been specifically addressed. While traditional virtual machines offer a layer of isolation through the use of hypervisors and complete operating systems, Hyperlight Wasm provides two layers of security: one at the WebAssembly level and another at the virtual machine level. Even if an attacker manages to break the WebAssembly sandbox isolation, they would still have to overcome the virtual machine's barriers, reinforcing protection.</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><picture fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-33520" title="Microsoft Launches Hyperlight Wasm: Fast, Secure WebAssembly Execution Without an Operating System">
<source type="image/avif" srcset="https://revistacloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/microsoft-hyperlight-1024x554.jpeg.avif 1024w, https://revistacloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/microsoft-hyperlight-300x162.jpeg.avif 300w, https://revistacloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/microsoft-hyperlight-768x416.jpeg.avif 768w, https://revistacloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/microsoft-hyperlight-1536x831.jpeg.avif 1536w, https://revistacloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/microsoft-hyperlight-2048x1108.jpeg.avif 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/>
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</picture></figure><p>Finally, the <strong>operating system-free design</strong> of Hyperlight Wasm also allows developers to work with a simpler, more efficient solution, eliminating the need to worry about the complexity of maintaining a full operating system within the virtual machine.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Comparison with Other Open-Source Solutions on the Market</h3><p>While <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> stands out for its high performance and simplicity, other solutions in the market also address the execution of WebAssembly in lightweight, isolated environments. Below, we compare <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> with some of the most well-known open-source solutions.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">1. <strong>Wasmtime</strong></h4><p><strong>Wasmtime</strong> is one of the most popular runtimes for running WebAssembly outside the browser. It provides an efficient execution environment for Wasm applications and, like <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong>, focuses on fast and secure execution. Wasmtime also allows the integration of WASI (WebAssembly System Interface), providing compatibility with complex system applications.</p><p><strong>Key Difference</strong>: While Wasmtime focuses on being a general runtime for Wasm, <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> is offered as a more specialized solution running within an ultra-lightweight virtual machine, without the overhead of a full operating system. This means that <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> is even faster in executing workloads, especially in cloud environments.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">2. <strong>Firecracker</strong></h4><p><strong>Firecracker</strong> is an open-source microVM created by Amazon Web Services (AWS), designed to run serverless applications in containers quickly and isolated. Similar to <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong>, Firecracker allows the execution of applications without a full operating system, significantly reducing startup times and improving performance.</p><p><strong>Key Difference</strong>: Although <strong>Firecracker</strong> is also lightweight, it primarily focuses on running containers, whereas <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> specializes in running WebAssembly, giving it an edge in terms of compatibility with portable, low-level applications. <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> also integrates better with native WebAssembly environments and provides even stronger sandboxing due to its double layer of security.</p><h4 class="wp-block-heading">3. <strong>Kraken</strong></h4><p><strong>Kraken</strong> is a WebAssembly solution designed to run Wasm applications in isolation, similar to <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong>. Kraken focuses on the efficient execution of applications in isolated environments, using WebAssembly to ensure safe and reliable execution.</p><p><strong>Key Difference</strong>: Unlike Kraken, <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> not only relies on WASI for portability but also integrates with <strong>Hyperlight</strong>, allowing for ultra-fast execution with lower resource consumption. Kraken also incurs more operating system overhead, while <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> completely eliminates that layer, providing an even lighter, more efficient solution.</p><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Use Cases and Applications of Hyperlight Wasm</h3><p><strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> is specifically designed for applications that require high performance and low latency, such as the following:</p><ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Cloud Computing</strong>: It allows for efficient and cost-effective execution of Wasm applications in cloud environments, reducing infrastructure costs.</li><li><strong><a href="https://revistacloud.com/tag/microservicios/" data-type="post_tag" data-id="2625">Microservices</a></strong>: Due to its speed, it is ideal for running microservices in container architectures where startup time is critical.</li><li><strong>Secure Applications</strong>: Its attack-proof design, with two layers of security, makes it perfect for running workloads in high-risk environments or those involving untrusted code.</li></ul><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion: A Promising Solution for the Future of WebAssembly</h3><p><strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> represents an innovative solution for executing WebAssembly quickly, securely, and efficiently, without the overhead of traditional operating systems. With its ability to easily integrate across various platforms and its lightweight architecture, it is well-positioned to change how applications are deployed in cloud environments and serverless architectures.</p><p>Despite competition from solutions like <strong>Wasmtime</strong>, <strong>Firecracker</strong>, and <strong>Kraken</strong>, <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> distinguishes itself by focusing on the execution of WebAssembly in microVMs, achieving greater speed and security compared to traditional approaches. As WebAssembly applications continue to gain traction, <strong>Hyperlight Wasm</strong> is shaping up to be one of the most promising solutions in the secure and native computing space.</p></div>

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