Choosing the right technology to turn your servers into virtual private servers is very important. The debate between Virtuozzo and KVM will help you make the right decision for virtualization.
These are two of the main choices in the virtualization game and both provide good options. However, one may be better than the other for your specific needs. Here’s a look at the strengths and weaknesses of both Virtuozzo and KVM.
Overview of Virtuozzo
Virtuozzo provides an efficient way to split the resources of a server. However, it’s not free and it’s not an open source program. Virtuozzo doesn’t use the normal hardware abstraction layer construction. Instead, it utilizes a more logical approach to subdividing the resources of your server.
If you’re looking to use Virtuozzo on a Linux server, it will run a single kernel as the core. The core will be exported to various distributions, which will effectively create stand-alone entities. Each VPS created will provide separate login credentials, daemon services, system processes and network address.
Overview of KVM
KVM stands for Kernel-based Virtual Machine. It’s a hypervisor in the mainline Linux kernel and only works with the Linux operating system. However, it does support Windows, BSD and Solaris as guests.
KVM runs on x86 and x86-64 systems with support for virtualization extensions. It’s an open source choice and consists of a loadable kernel module. This module provides the virtualization infrastructure core and it also provides a processor specific module.
Pros and Cons of Using Virtuozzo
Virtuozzo provides many benefits and the new Virtuozzo 7 packs even more benefits. The system allows for centralized management, along with better utilization of server resources. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Virtuozzo.
Pros of using Virtuozzo
- Independent Platform – You can use Virtuozzo with Windows or Linux without any issue.
- Web-based GUI panel – The Virtuozzo Power Panel is a GUI based web powered panel, which allows users to handle servers on their own over the web.
- Easy to Restore – Restoring is easy with full root access and the ability to restore an individual file or the entire VPS.
Cons of using Virtuozzo
- Ram is Shared – Virtuozzo struggles and usually will fail if the server doesn’t have enough RAM. The system depends on virtual RAM and will kill processes when it runs out of RAM.
- Lack of device Support – In some cases, Virtuozzo won’t allow custom devices, such as VPNs.
- Sharing not Great – The resource sharing of Virtuozzo isn’t always great and can slow things down. Of one user is using resources heavily, it can slow things down, even with an equal share.Added Benefits with Virtuozzo 7
While the pros and cons of Virtuozzo provide a look at what you’re getting, the new Virtuozzo 7 may change your decision. The new product was released in July of 2016 and provides many benefits, such as:
- More Freedom and Stability – The new kernel adds support for more hardware and provides better efficiency for more powerful servers.
- ReadyKernel – Rebootless Updates – Virtuozzo and Linux guests will now be able to update the kernel and install security patches without rebooting.
- Advanced Memory Management – With the new Virtuozzo 7, users will now have a better memory management system with better performance. This is called VCMMD and helps to solve the issue of sharing resources.
- OpenStack Support – Virtuozzo 7 now support Openstack. Those using OpenStack will be able to leverage the power of the program to manage public and private clouds based on Virtuozzo containers.
These are just a few of the many new benefits found in the newest version of Virtuozzo.
Pros and Cons of Using KVM
KVM is one of the top open source choices for virtualization. It comes with plenty of benefits if using Linux on the x86 hardware. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of using KVM for virtualization.
Pros of using KVM
- Super Low Cost – If you’re on a tight budget, using KVM will save you 60 to 90% compared to Virtuozzo and other solutions. It’s one of the most cost effective choices for virtualization with many of the same technical benefits of other systems.
- Excellent Security – Since the base of KVM is made up of Linux, it uses the SE Linux advanced security system. This helps to ensure security of the virtual machines meets a very high level. KVM has also received awards for meeting the security standards of the government.
- Available for Anybody to Use – The open environment of KVM means anybody can use it and customize the system to fit specific requirements.
Cons of Using KVM
- Complex Setup – One of the main disadvantages of using KVM is the complex setup process. It’s actually more complex than other systems.
- Limited Processors – The system also doesn’t work with all processors.
- May Require Built-in CPU Virtualization Support – In some cases, KVM may require built-in CPU virtualization support to ensure the best possible performance.
Overall, using KVM provides many benefits, which will outweigh the disadvantages for some users.
Making the Final Decision
If you’re trying to decide between Virtuozzo and KVM, it’s important to look at the benefits and how they apply to your situation. These are two very different systems and each one won’t fit for every application. Make sure you take the time to look into your options and choose the virtualization solution best suited for your specific needs.
There’s no outright winner between Virtuozzo and KVM. Both are very good choices, when used properly.
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