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KVM vs Virtuozzo
October 07, 2024 | Author: Michael Stromann
16★
KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine) 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.
4★
Virtuozzo Containers is an operating system virtualization solution that maximizes your investment in server hardware. Virtuozzo Containers is uniquely suited to Cloud server virtualization, enabling near instant provisioning and on-the-fly modification of hosting and Cloud server plans while delivering maximum density, cost efficiency and application performance.
In the vast, confusing and often absurd universe of IT infrastructure, there exist two rather curious creatures: KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) and Virtuozzo. They’re the kind of things you’d expect to encounter somewhere between an over-enthusiastic server farm and a panic-stricken sysadmin who hasn’t seen daylight in years. These two virtualization technologies—despite their fancy names—are really just very elaborate ways of saying, "Let’s make one computer act like it’s a lot of computers, but without breaking the space-time continuum."
KVM is the open-source superhero in this tale, flying in with a cape made of hypervisors and the noble mission to ensure that many virtual machines (VMs) can frolic merrily on the same host system, without stepping on each other’s toes. Each VM, bless its virtual soul, gets its own bit of virtualized hardware—a kernel to call its very own. Linux? Windows? No problem! KVM doesn’t care. It’s got Intel VT-x and AMD-V tucked into its utility belt, ready to power up performance and take on data centers, cloud environments, or anywhere else where people insist on running absurdly complex workloads because, apparently, that’s what life is about.
On the other hand, Virtuozzo, the polished commercial cousin of KVM, is the product of a wild experiment called OpenVZ. Imagine it as the minimalist who looked at KVM’s sprawling setup and said, “Why have multiple kernels when one will do?” Instead of giving each virtual environment (or VE, as Virtuozzo affectionately calls them) its own shiny kernel, Virtuozzo shares one—like a particularly frugal houseguest. This makes everything so lightweight and efficient, it's practically floating. Virtuozzo even throws in live migration, because why shouldn’t containers just pack up and move to a new host mid-party without anyone noticing? Perfect for cloud hosting or service providers who love packing in servers like sardines but in a much more refined and elegant way, of course.
Now, you may wonder—what’s the difference between these two creatures, besides their general disposition? KVM is the robust one, with full virtualization, meaning every virtual machine is isolated, minding its own business with its own kernel. It’s the sort of thing you’d use in an enterprise where everything needs to be as flexible as a contortionist in zero-gravity, handling multiple operating systems and impressing all the IT folks. Virtuozzo, on the other hand, says, “Efficiency is key!” It’s all about lightweight, container-based virtualization where server density is maximized and efficiency is king—or at least a very important baron. Ideal for environments where rapid deployment, scalability and squeezing every last drop of performance from your hardware are the daily mantras.
See also: Top 10 Virtualization platforms
KVM is the open-source superhero in this tale, flying in with a cape made of hypervisors and the noble mission to ensure that many virtual machines (VMs) can frolic merrily on the same host system, without stepping on each other’s toes. Each VM, bless its virtual soul, gets its own bit of virtualized hardware—a kernel to call its very own. Linux? Windows? No problem! KVM doesn’t care. It’s got Intel VT-x and AMD-V tucked into its utility belt, ready to power up performance and take on data centers, cloud environments, or anywhere else where people insist on running absurdly complex workloads because, apparently, that’s what life is about.
On the other hand, Virtuozzo, the polished commercial cousin of KVM, is the product of a wild experiment called OpenVZ. Imagine it as the minimalist who looked at KVM’s sprawling setup and said, “Why have multiple kernels when one will do?” Instead of giving each virtual environment (or VE, as Virtuozzo affectionately calls them) its own shiny kernel, Virtuozzo shares one—like a particularly frugal houseguest. This makes everything so lightweight and efficient, it's practically floating. Virtuozzo even throws in live migration, because why shouldn’t containers just pack up and move to a new host mid-party without anyone noticing? Perfect for cloud hosting or service providers who love packing in servers like sardines but in a much more refined and elegant way, of course.
Now, you may wonder—what’s the difference between these two creatures, besides their general disposition? KVM is the robust one, with full virtualization, meaning every virtual machine is isolated, minding its own business with its own kernel. It’s the sort of thing you’d use in an enterprise where everything needs to be as flexible as a contortionist in zero-gravity, handling multiple operating systems and impressing all the IT folks. Virtuozzo, on the other hand, says, “Efficiency is key!” It’s all about lightweight, container-based virtualization where server density is maximized and efficiency is king—or at least a very important baron. Ideal for environments where rapid deployment, scalability and squeezing every last drop of performance from your hardware are the daily mantras.
See also: Top 10 Virtualization platforms
