An Overview of Popular Virtual Machine Solutions
With so many virtual machine solutions available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your business. From open source to commercial options, there are a variety of VM solutions that have different features and costs. Get an overview of the top virtual machine solutions to help you make the right choice.
What is Virtual Machine (VM)?
A virtual machine (VM) is a simulated computing environment, which can be used for testing, development, or production purposes. VMs are self-contained software programs that allow users to run applications in an isolated, secure environment without affecting the host operating system. The VM is like having a separate computer system with its own processor and memory, allowing the user to install different operating systems and applications.
VMware
VMware is the most popular option and is used by many organizations to create virtual machines. VMware provides a powerful platform that enables easy deployment, management, and operation of virtual environments. It can also be integrated with other cloud technologies, making it an attractive choice for businesses that need a complete suite of cloud-based services.
Microsoft Hyper-V
Microsoft Hyper-V is a virtualization solution from Microsoft that enables system administrators to create and deploy virtual machines. It supports multiple operating systems and can also be used with existing hardware, making it an attractive choice for organizations looking for a comprehensive solution. It is easy to configure and manage and offers great scalability. Hyper-V also has the ability to run many powerful applications such as SQL Server, Exchange Server, Dynamics AX, and more.
Oracle VM
Oracle VM is a type 1 hypervisor created by Oracle as an alternative to virtualization solutions offered by other vendors. It is based on open-source software and supports popular operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Solaris. Oracle VM has features such as live migration and high availability, making it an attractive solution for organizations that need stability and scalability. It also comes with Oracle Enterprise Manager, which provides detailed performance metrics for managing virtual environments.
Citrix XenServer
Citrix XenServer is a type 2 hypervisor and the most popular solution from Citrix Systems. It can virtualize Windows, Linux and Solaris-based servers, with support for popular applications like Microsoft SQL Server. XenServer includes virtualization features such as memory and storage overcommitment, dynamic workload balancing and support for high availability configurations. The interface of the product is easy to use, making it ideal for organizations who don’t have much experience with virtualization solutions.