Hello everyone,

Currently, I am in the process of selecting a virtualization tool for a relatively small virtual hosting project. I have a good understanding of virtualization technologies and their operational principles. I am particularly interested in hearing your opinion on OpenVZ, Proxmox, KVM, Xen, and VMware (both the paid and free versions). Whether it's container-based or dedicated virtualization like Xen doesn't matter to me.

I would appreciate it if those of you who have hands-on experience with these tools could share your thoughts, highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages.

My dilemma is that my experience is mainly limited to Xen, Oracle VM Server, and VMware.

Also, if you have any personal recommendations or insights related to virtualization, please feel free to share them. Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Proxmox is a comprehensive platform that utilizes KVM and OpenVZ for virtualization purposes. Unlike Xen, which necessitates altering the kernel of the guest operating system, Proxmox offers a seamless integration with KVM without any modifications needed. Additionally, while OpenVZ containers may have limited isolation capabilities, they come with minimal overhead. VMware, on the other hand, although not all-knowing, offers a range of useful and convenient features. Personally, I find KVM particularly appealing due to its compatibility with qemu, enabling the emulation of virtual ARM on SPARC architecture without any alterations required in the AXIS distribution.

 Proxmox stands out as an ecosystem that combines the strengths of KVM and OpenVZ. It provides a hassle-free experience by eliminating the need for modifying guest OS kernels, while also offering efficient virtualization with minimal overhead. Moreover, Proxmox allows for virtual ARM emulation on SPARC architecture through its integration with qemu, making it versatile and adaptable to various use cases.

Do you have a preference for the format of hosting? Would you like it to be in the form of a pre-configured virtual machine, for instance?
So, the underlying technology doesn't really matter. If you're looking for a resource pool where you can independently manage the number and specifications of virtual machines, then the question changes: what tools do you have at your disposal for this purpose?

There are various options available across different price ranges. However, if you're considering setting up a platform to offer hosting services to customers, my suggestion, despite my close association with VMware, is to consider open-source solutions, at least for now while the hosting operation remains relatively small. VMware's offerings tend to be quite expensive, which is their main drawback and a significant disadvantage.


In my experience, open-source solutions often provide more cost-effective and flexible alternatives that can cater to your specific needs. By leveraging open-source technologies, you can build a scalable and affordable hosting platform that meets your requirements without breaking the bank. Additionally, open-source communities foster collaboration and innovation, enabling continuous improvement and development of the hosting ecosystem.

Consider giving OpenVZ 7 a try as it offers an updated version of the widely-used virtualization system for hosting purposes. With OpenVZ 7, you have access to both virtual machines and containers, making it a versatile option. The installation process is straightforward, and the open-source version boasts numerous features. Furthermore, if your needs expand over time, you have the option to transition to Virtuozzo 7, which offers technical support.

P.S. When it comes to choosing hosting solutions, it's important to base decisions on more than just aesthetics. Take a look at statistics on virtualization types from reliable sources like LowEndBox or ServerBear to gather insights into the performance and popularity of different options.

When selecting a virtualization system, it's crucial to consider not only the features it provides but also its track record in terms of performance and reliability. OpenVZ has gained popularity for a reason, and its presence on platforms like LowEndBox and ServerBear demonstrates its widespread use in the hosting community. By exploring the statistics and experiences shared by other hosts, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific requirements, ensuring the success and efficiency of your hosting environment.

When considering virtualization tools for a small virtual hosting project, it's important to evaluate the available options based on your specific requirements and familiarity with the technology. Here is an overview of the tools you mentioned and their pros and cons:

1. OpenVZ: OpenVZ is a container-based virtualization technology that offers lightweight and efficient virtualization. It provides good performance and density, allowing for more containers on a single host. However, it only supports Linux-based guests, and there may be limitations in running different operating systems or kernel versions concurrently.

2. Proxmox: Proxmox is an open-source platform that combines both container-based and traditional virtualization (KVM). It provides a comprehensive management interface and supports both Linux and Windows guests. Proxmox also offers features like live migration and high availability. However, it may have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler solutions.

3. KVM: Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) is a popular open-source virtualization solution that provides full virtualization. It offers flexibility, performance, and supports various operating systems, including Linux and Windows. KVM is widely used and benefits from a large community and ecosystem. However, managing KVM environments may require more advanced knowledge and system administration skills.

4. Xen: Xen is a mature and widely adopted open-source hypervisor. It provides strong isolation between virtual machines (VMs) and supports a variety of operating systems. Xen offers good performance and stability but may have a slightly more complex setup and management process compared to other solutions.

5. VMware: VMware provides both paid and free versions, such as VMware ESXi for the free edition. VMware is known for its robustness, stability, and comprehensive feature set. It offers advanced management capabilities, high availability options, and excellent compatibility with various operating systems. However, the paid versions can be costly for small-scale projects, and the free version may have limited features.

Based on your experience with Xen, Oracle VM Server, and VMware, you may already be familiar with their respective strengths and weaknesses. It can be beneficial to leverage your existing knowledge and expertise.

Ultimately, the choice of virtualization tool depends on your specific requirements, such as the desired level of isolation, support for different operating systems, management capabilities, scalability, and budget. Consider evaluating each tool in terms of these requirements and using trial versions or test environments to assess their suitability before making a final decision.

It's also worth considering factors such as community support, dоcumentation, and the availability of relevant resources when selecting a virtualization tool.

OpenVZ, a container-based virtualization solution, excels at providing high density and efficiency, making it suitable for large-scale hosting environments. However, it lacks the flexibility of dedicated virtualization and is vulnerable to container-level security breaches.

Proxmox, a hybrid virtualization platform, offers a unique blend of container and dedicated virtualization capabilities. Its ease of use and robust feature set make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized hosting projects. Nevertheless, its performance may not be as scalable as other solutions.

KVM, a dedicated virtualization technology, boasts exceptional performance, scalability, and security. Its open-source nature and extensive community support make it a popular choice among developers. However, its complexity and steeper learning curve may deter less experienced users.

Xen, a dedicated virtualization solution, provides high performance, scalability, and security. Its mature ecosystem and extensive community support make it a reliable choice. However, its complexity and resource-intensive nature may make it less suitable for smaller hosting projects.

VMware, both paid and free versions, offers exceptional performance, scalability, and security. Its robust feature set, ease of use, and extensive community support make it a popular choice among hosting providers. However, its cost and resource-intensive nature may make it less suitable for small-scale hosting projects.

If you prioritize density and efficiency, OpenVZ might be a suitable choice. For a more hybrid approach, Proxmox is an excellent option.