blue92lx
asked on
Best Method for Using Linux/Ubuntu as a Hypervisor
Hey Everyone,
I've used HyperV so far for virtualizing my clients' servers, but I want a solution for those that don't have licensing to install a 2008 R2 Server for HyperV. So I was thinking of using Linux to transfer their Servers from the hardware to a virtual environment. Unfortunately my Linux knowledge is almost none aside from using Ubuntu here and there.
From what I've seen the only real differences for Ubuntu Desktop and Server editions is that server has no GUI and different applications/services installed.
After researching for quite a bit I've found that Virtual Box is probably the best way to go, I was leaning towards Xen for a while but after a few posted test results it swayed me back to VirtualBox.
So here's what I was thinking of doing, I could install the Ubuntu Server with virtualization services checked off then drop in a core GUI like Gnome and run VirtualBox from within that and run their servers virtually. Is this a viable solution? Will it be reliable and run 32 and 64 bit servers? Etc.
Any info as always is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Adam
I've used HyperV so far for virtualizing my clients' servers, but I want a solution for those that don't have licensing to install a 2008 R2 Server for HyperV. So I was thinking of using Linux to transfer their Servers from the hardware to a virtual environment. Unfortunately my Linux knowledge is almost none aside from using Ubuntu here and there.
From what I've seen the only real differences for Ubuntu Desktop and Server editions is that server has no GUI and different applications/services installed.
After researching for quite a bit I've found that Virtual Box is probably the best way to go, I was leaning towards Xen for a while but after a few posted test results it swayed me back to VirtualBox.
So here's what I was thinking of doing, I could install the Ubuntu Server with virtualization services checked off then drop in a core GUI like Gnome and run VirtualBox from within that and run their servers virtually. Is this a viable solution? Will it be reliable and run 32 and 64 bit servers? Etc.
Any info as always is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Adam
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ASKER
For instance could I just install the Ubuntu Desktop and remove some software or do I have to install server and then add the GUI?
Haha glad you asked. This is actually the exact process I use for installing Ubuntu - I only use Ubuntu Server and install Ubuntu-Desktop. If I recall, Ubuntu Server has a different kernel (different scheduler), however I cant quite remember the specifics. Just a hint, the Ubuntu-Desktop package download is over 1GB, so plan your time accordingly.
ASKER
Yes I've done a server install once in HyperV to test it out and thought that the desktop download would be done lickity split. About 1.5 hours later I found out how extensive it is! haha. Thanks for your help!
Why not use
Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd776191.aspx
it's free?
Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd776191.aspx
it's free?
ASKER
Because Server 2008 R2 is not free. I'm going to use Linux for clients that don't have the Server 2008 R2 license, otherwise I'll be using HyperV, a couple of my clients are already setup on it and I like it.
ASKER