Virtualization | Hypervisors

What is server virtualization?

Server virtualization is a proven technology that enables multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server. Each virtual machine is completely isolated from other virtual machines and is decoupled from the underlying host by a thin layer of software known as a hypervisor, except in the case of Parallels Virtuozzo Containers, in which Virtuozzo is the operating system. Virtualization allows each virtual machine to run different operating systems and applications. Because the guest VMs have been decoupled from the host OS, the guest can also be moved from one physical server host to another while running. These attributes are transforming how organizations approach virtual computing.

Windows Hyper-V

Virtualization is a major part of today’s data centers. The operating efficiencies offered by virtualization allow organizations to dramatically reduce operational effort and power consumption. Hyper-V virtualizes the system resources of a physical computer. Computer virtualization allows you to provide a virtualized environment for operating systems and applications. When used alone, Hyper-V™ is typically used for server computer virtualization. When Hyper-V is used in conjunction with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Hyper-V is used for client computer virtualization.

Key Features

  • Host clustering and Cluster Shared Volume Support.
  • Live migration: Customers can dynamically move virtual machines from one physical machine to another with no downtime.
  • Live Backup support: Hyper-V Server includes native support for Volume Shadow Services so that it can provide Live Backup of running virtual machines without downtime.
  • Flexible hardware support: Microsoft Hyper-V Server leverages the Windows Server driver model and is compatible with a wide variety of server hardware and driver support for newer peripherals such as 10 Gb/E.
  • Direct Attach Storage (DAS): SATA, eSATA, PATA, SAS, SCSI, USB, Firewire
  • Storage Area Networks (SANs): iSCSI, Fiber Channel, SAS
  • Virtual Machine Snapshots: Hyper-V Server fully supports virtual machine snapshots.

 

VMware vSphere Hypervisor™ (ESXi)

 

VMware vSphere Hypervisor is based on VMware ESXi, the hypervisor architecture that sets the industry standard for reliability, performance and ecosystem support. VMware vSphere is the easiest way to get started with virtualization—and it’s free. Consolidate your applications onto fewer servers and start saving money through reduced hardware and administration costs. VMware vSphere delivers unmatched levels of performance and reliability while reducing IT costs. With VMware vSphere, you can:
 

  • Run multiple applications on a single server
  • Run a greener datacenter and reduce energy costs
  • Back up and recover applications more easily
  • Virtualize even business-critical applications

 

Citrix® XenServer®

 

Citrix® XenServer® is a complete, managed server virtualization platform built on the powerful Xen® hypervisor. Citrix® XenServer® is the enterprise-ready, cloud-proven virtualization platform that contains all the capabilities required to create and manage a Windows® and/or Linux® virtual virtual infrastructure. Citrix® XenServer® enables cost-effective server consolidation and it is trusted by demanding organizations to run the most mission critical applications and used by the largest clouds and xSPs. XenServer:

 

  • Reduces costs by consolidating servers and reducing power, cooling, and datacenter space needs
  • Increases IT flexibility by allowing the provisioning of new servers and IT services within minutes
  • Ensures that application requirements and performance levels are always met
  • Minimizes downtime by reducing the impact of failures and protecting against disasters

 

Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM)

 

Using KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine), one can run multiple virtual machines running unmodified Linux or Windows images. Each virtual machine has private virtualized hardware: a network card, disk, graphics adapter, etc.

KVM is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V). It consists of a loadable kernel module, kvm.ko, that provides the core virtualization infrastructure and a processor specific module, kvm-intel.ko or kvm-amd.ko. KVM also requires a modified QEMU although work is underway to get the required changes upstream.

A new DomainGurus dedicated server installed with any Linux distribution is capable of running KVM.

 

  • CentOS
  • Ubuntu
  • Fedora
  • SUSE
  • Debian