Server virtual system comparison: Xen vs MS vs VM

In the following we will compare these new virtualization products, but we need to pay attention to some issues before comparison:

1, more and more pre-installed virtualization systems

Most OEMs want to bundle virtualized systems onto servers, which can incur additional service charges and pre-sales support costs. In 2010, there may be some vendors to launch dedicated virtualization servers, just like the unified communications platform released by Cisco this year, and the density of virtual machines will also increase significantly - the server memory capacity needs to reach terabytes to support the number of ten Count even hundreds of virtual machine instances.

Microsoft's Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 can support new CPU features such as AMD's RVI Rapid Virtualization Indexing and Intel's Extended Page Table technology to improve virtualization. Machine performance.

2, pre-installed virtualization software Microsoft and Citrix are not dominant

VMware is still the most pre-installed virtualization system, although Xen shows on the website how much it is configured simple. Citrix will focus more on the Project Kensho program, in which Citrix users can import and export virtual machines in an open virtual machine format that can be shared with Microsoft virtualization. Citrix also has a series of Amazon Elastic Cloud resources called "Citrix Cloud Center", which puts its various network and virtualization tools on the cloud to provide an experimental platform for potential users.

And VMware can support open virtualization format OVF through vAPP, which has better interactivity when switching virtualized systems or managing mixed environments.

3, virtualization licenses are still confusing

VMware has not simplified the licensing issue. Its low-priced product, vSphere essentials, is priced at $995 and supports three physical servers, each The server supports two CPUs. Windows still has multiple guest licenses to make the application more complex. Now that Xen Server and Hyper-v are free, these virtualization systems are more convenient to use if the license has a single price.

Let's compare VMware, Microsoft, and Citrix virtualization systems:

1, Enterprise Virtualization Management Tools

Citrix and Microsoft are trying to make virtualization systems It is more convenient to manage, especially in a relatively large virtual environment. Citrix introduces two basic management software, one for Xen Server and one for Hyper-v for Microsoft. The differences between the two versions are small, and their core functions are the same, such as storage link snapshots and pre-configuration, workflow and process integration, dynamic virtual machine provisioning, and load balancing.

Microsoft's System Center can manage VMware and Hyper-v, and the next version will support Xen with the best compatibility.

VMware released a series of new tools in vSphere v4 released in the middle of the year to help solve problems in complex virtualization architectures, with better fault tolerance, better support for virtual machine migration, and integration. Virtual network switch. In addition, you can increase memory, storage, and CPU while the virtual machine is running.

VMware: B+
Microsoft: B+
Citrix: B+

2, VDI Solutions

Three Virtualization Vendors in the Past Months Efforts are being made for the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, which stores the boot image of the desktop system in a centralized storage repository to support thin clients. Although this does not relieve users of the need for third-party tools, the three major manufacturers are working in the right direction. Microsoft's R2/Windows 7 solution is a bit simpler to implement VDI deployment.

VMware is also enhancing management tools, including thin client agents, desktop management, connection brokers, etc., and has launched a new remote protocol PC over IP with good prospects.

VMware: B
Microsoft: B
Citrix: B

3, iPhone (mobile Internet) application richness

Today, there are more than 170 Different iPhone apps, so virtualization vendors are also reaching out to this area, but it seems that there are not many good iPhone apps worthy of attention from IT staff. In fact, Windows Remote Desktop Client, VNC Client, and even Webex and LogMeIn clients can run on the iPhone, making it easier to manage your computer desktop.

Citrix has a free Citrix Receiver for iPhone app that allows you to remotely control your desktop from the iPhone and connect to XenApp or Presentation server to run Windows applications. It also includes a demo system that demonstrates various features and is very smart. There is also a feature called DocFinder that helps users locate documents on a web server. Citrix Receiver for iPhone also allows users to host or join a meeting.

Citrix: A, because of the ideal iPhone application
VMware, Microsoft: F, because there is no iPhone application

VMware, Microsoft, Citrix virtualization system comparison table:
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VMware, Microsoft, Citrix Virtualization System Comparison Table