Xen: Getting started with virtualization

Spotlight: Xen

Here's your fast guide to SearchEnterpriseLinux.com's and SearchServerVirtualization's most-read how-tos, news and more on Xen. Find out the latest news about Xen or check out helpful links.

Getting started:

• Expert advice: Free, open source virtualization
  Virtualization is a very popular technology, but has been held back from further use by two factors: cost and hardware load. Enter free, open source Xen.
  
  
• Expert advice: Clearing up confusion about virtualization and Xen
  Just what is virtualization anyway, and where does Xen fit into the picture? This IT pro wants one simple answer, but our expert has to tell the truth, which isn't simple.
  
  
• Expert advice: How is Xen different from other virtualization products?
  Discover what sets Xen apart from other virtualization solutions.
  
  
• Expert advice: What operating systems does Xen support?
  An expert lists some of the systems and Linux distributions that Xen supports.
  
  
• Tip: Find out what sets Xen apart from VMware or Microsoft Virtual Server
  Windows expert Serdar Yegulalp compares Xen to Microsoft Virtual Server and VMware in terms of performance, usability and general functionality.
  
  
• Tip: An overview of virtualization technology
  Virtualization is a hot topic in the enterprise space these days. It's being touted as the solution to every problem from server proliferation to CPU underutilization to application isolation.
  
  
• Tip series: Choosing the right server virtualization solution
  Ever wondered how you would choose the right server virtualization platform? Andrew Kutz offers a thorough analysis and comparison of the available options in this four-part tip, looking at criteria like open source, available support, technical features and more. Part one covers the criteria for the comparison and the administrative features of the options.
  
  
  • Choosing the right server virtualization solution, part 2
  • Choosing the right server virtualization solution, part 3
  • Choosing the right server virtualization solution, part 4
  
  
  
• Column: Golden's Rules: Get server control, virtualization with free, open source Xen
  It's no secret that hardware prices continue to plummet. It's also no secret that all of this ever-cheaper hardware is increasingly more powerful.
  
  
• Tip: Xen in action: Deploying multiple servers
  This article briefly examines the current state of affairs for multiple server deployment, with an emphasis on modern advancements in virtual servers and workstations.
  
  

Xen in the news:

• Article: Xen founders tackle Windows virtualization
  XenSource, a startup fronted by the original developers of open source virtualization software Xen, launched a new commercial offering that runs on Windows, after a failed attempt earlier this year.
  
  
• Tip: Sun to provide Xen virtualization on Solaris
  Sun plans to provide support for Xen virtualization on its Solaris OS by the middle of next year in an attempt to draw more customers to its platform.
  
  
• Column: Golden's Rules: Why new chips + Xen = dream machines
  You've probably heard about virtualization and the upcoming integration of Xen, an open source virtualization technology, into Linux distributions. You may not have heard why Xen goes better with this new generation of chips.
  
  
• Tip: Linux vendors' war of words over Xen won't hurt technology's potential
  As Novell and Red Hat trade barbs over their respective versions of Xen's future, IT managers shouldn't get distracted but should be wary that the technology still has some limitations worth looking into.
  
  

More helpful Xen links:

• Tip: Installing Xen 2.0 on NetBSD
  This how-to will walk you through installing Xen 2.0 on NetBSD 3.0 or higher and includes helpful code for installing NetBSD as domain().
  
  
• Tip: Setting up Xen 3.0 on Fedora Core 5
  Setting up Xen and guests should be significantly more straight-forward with Fedora Core 5 than it previously was with Fedora Core 4. Here's a run-through of what is required to configure a system as a Xen host as well as setting up Xen guests.
  
  
• Tip: The perfect Xen 3.0 setup for Debian
  This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on how to install Xen (version 3.0.1) on a Debian Sarge (3.1) system. This howto is meant as a practical guide; it does not cover the theoretical backgrounds that are treated in a lot of other documents on the Web.
  
  
• Resource: View Xen statistics, updates and bugs
  Xen is a virtual machine monitor for x86 that supports execution of multiple guest operating systems with unprecedented levels of performance and resource isolation. Linux 2.4, 2.6 and NetBSD 2.0 ports are available. FreeBSD, Plan 9 ports on the way.
  
  
• Guide: Xen 3.0 developer's manual
  Get the skinny on Xen hypercalls, memory, virtual architecture, devices and more with the Xen 3.0 Developer Manual. This guide also includes helpful links to Xen resources.
  
  
• Guide: Xen 3.0 user manual
  Confused about virtualization? Take a look at the Xen 3.0 user manual which offers comprehensive instructions on installation, configuration, migration, management and more.
  
  

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