We have looked into possibly using the Xen (http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/Research/SRG/netos/xen/) virtualization platform in the future. It seems to beat out VMWare ESX on pretty much all tests, the only fallback currently is that the kernel for the virtual server needs to be re-compiled to work. This obviously limits it currently to OSS systems (Linux/BSD) for virtual servers. However, when Intel releases it new line of processors in the next 6 months, Xen will be able to take advantage of the VT technology on these chips to be able to host all sorts of proprietary systems (Windows, OS X, Solaris, NetWare). While that might be some time off it seems better too wait and check it out instead of investing big $$ in VMWare now.
________________________________________________
Stephen Bogdanski Network Support, MSU-CVM
Michigan State University [log in to unmask]
A227 VetMed Center Phone: (517) 353-5551
East Lansing, MI 48824 Fax: (517) 432-2937
>>> Bryan Murphy <[log in to unmask]> 09/16/05 03:34PM >>>
On my last job we used the Linux Virtual Server Project (
http://www.linuxvirtualserver.org/) and later switched to Virtuozzo (
http://www.sw-soft.com/en/products/virtuozzo/).
Neither worked all that great for our purposes because each virtual
dedicated server had a different client on it so it was always a fight over
who got the most resources. The Linux virtual server project had no way of
limiting cpu and ram consumption on a per virtual server basis hence the
switch to virtuozzo. This took care of that problem by jailing each server
into its own fixed amount of resources making it very slow by default (the
smallest account was capped at 256megs of available physical memory).
If you will be the owner of all virtual servers on a given physical server
then the Linux virtual server project would be ideal (and is free).
Hope that helped.
/------------------------------------
| Bryan Murphy
| Computer and Network Coordinator
| Plant Research Lab and Plant Biology
| http://infotech.prl.msu.edu
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On 9/16/05 3:21 PM, "Troy Murray" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Just curious if anyone here on campus is using any type of server
> virtualization software to consolidate servers in their department.
> In particular something like VMWare Server ESX/GSX.
>
> Thanks,
