Virtualization Software Comparison: Virtuozzo vs. OpenVZ

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Virtualization is the process of using a hypervisor (virtualization software) to more efficiently use computer hardware resources, by allocating these resources to virtual instances called virtual machines (VMs). A VM is a tightly isolated software container that consists of an independent operating system (OS) and application.

You can run multiple VMs and (naturally) several OSs and applications on a single server. Hypervisors dynamically allocate resources to VMs as and when needed, thereby ensuring and promoting full utilization of computing resources. By virtue of virtualization, enterprises can better utilize hardware resources and be economical in the long run.

There are several benefits of virtualization. These include:

• You can create copies of a VM state. This ensures development is not put on hold. This minimizes downtime as well, in case of OS and/or application crashes. 
• Virtualization enables greater efficiency of resources and in turn cost-effectiveness.
• You can create automated information technology (IT) service management workflows. This makes policy management easier. 
• Provisioning VMs to run applications is significantly quicker than buying, installing, and configuring hardware for individual applications. 

VMs have four key properties — partitioning, isolation, encapsulation and hardware independence. Overall, virtualization enables greater disaster recovery and business continuity and improved IT efficiency, productivity, responsiveness and agility. 

Here is all you should know about Virtuozzo and OpenVZ. 

Also read: Virtualization Software Comparison: IBM PowerVM vs Oracle VM VirtualBox

Virtuozzo Overview

Virtuozzo Hybrid Server helps deliver more value and lower costs with high-density virtualization and software-defined storage (SDS). The virtualization software enables you to innovate, accelerate time to market, minimize churn and increase revenue and profit. The integrated situation combines VMs, containers and SDS. 

Virtuozzo Hypervisor provides upstream compatibility and enhances Kernel-based virtual machine (KVM), Virtuozzo Containers deliver production-ready containers for an improved total cost of ownership (TCO) and Virtuozzo Storage optimizes costs and improves performance with SDS.

Virtuozzo Features

• Virtuozzo Hybrid Server is an all-in-one solution that realizes the benefits of VMs, containers and SDS.
• The solution provides support for Windows (Windows Server 2019, Windows 10, etc.) and Linux guest OSs (CentOS 8.x, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.x, Debian 10.x, Ubuntu 20.04.x, etc.) — support for only the x64 architecture is provided.  
• Virtuozzo Hypervisor uses the open source code of KVM with an additional 200 features. VMs are based on CentOS7 KVM and the modern ported version of Quick EMUlator (QEMU). Virtuozzo Hypervisor’s KVM enhancements will be supported in subsequent software versions.
• Virtuozzo Containers put containerized workloads and applications into production and deliver low TCO.
• Virtuozzo Storage helps build multi-machine, fault-tolerant storage clusters using off-the-shelf or existing hardware to enable distributed, scalable and highly flexible storage.     
• Data encryption helps protect production workloads, entire clusters or specific tiers.
• The virtualization software provides snapshot support, backups and live migration for any workload.
• Virtuozzo Hybrid Server offers advanced memory management capabilities with low memory overhead.
• The virtualization solution comes with a web-based user interface (UI) for simplified management and improved control.
• You can scale to hundreds of nodes with petabytes of storage capacity.
• Other technology features include native Docker support, Libvirt and OpenStack support, flat licensing model and ReadyKernel live patching.
• Contact Virtuozzo for pricing details. To better understand the working of the virtualization solution, you can submit a request for a free month of Virtuozzo Hybrid Server. After you submit the form, an expert will be in touch to discuss your requirements. 

OpenVZ Overview

OpenVZ 7 offers open source container-based virtualization for multiple secure, tightly isolated Linux containers on a single physical server. This ensures that applications do not conflict and enables better server utilization.

Every container executes and performs like a stand-alone server. In essence, this means a container can be rebooted independently and have memory, processes, applications, files, IP addresses, root access, configuration files and system libraries.

Virtuozzo leverages OpenVZ 7 — OpenVZ 7 is the base for Virtuozzo Hybrid Server.

OpenVZ Features

• You can run OpenVZ 7 on OSs that support Linux distributions, like Ubuntu, Debian and CentOS.
• RHEL7 kernel is a kernel (Linux) with patches that implements OpenVZ kernel functionality.  
• Checkpoint/Restore in Userspace (CRIU) enables you to freeze an entire application or a part of it and checkpoint it as a collection of files to persistent storage (virtual hard disk).
  • The files can be used to restore and run the application from the state at which it was frozen. CRIU helps make the process of software testing and development easier.
• Process Hauler (P.Haul) implements the live migration usage scenario for processes and containers.
• OpenVZ 7 streamlines server and application deployment, management and maintenance.
• The virtualization solution optimizes server and application availability.
• You can use templates to implement different versions of an application in different containers.
• OpenVZ resource management enables you to collect usage information for system monitoring.       
• OpenVZ 7 is an open source, enterprise-class virtualization software for Linux containers. This essentially means that it is free of cost! You can download the software here.

Virtuozzo vs. OpenVZ

Here is a tabular comparison of Virtuozzo Hybrid Server and OpenVZ 7: 

In terms of overall capability, Virtuozzo Hybrid Server is the clear winner. It provides support for both Windows versions and Linux distributions and versions (x64 architecture only). The solution provides system containers, live migration in userspace, disc encryption, optimized KVM-based VMs, SDS and 24/7 customer support.

Virtuozzo Hybrid Server enables you to scale at will and provides state-of-the-art memory management capabilities and a web-based UI for streamlined management and control. The company offers a one month free trial, which can help you make a decision accordingly. If you are looking for an open source container-based virtualization solution for Linux, OpenVZ 7 is a good option.

You should keep in mind that Virtuozzo Hybrid Server leverages OpenVZ 7 and offers several additional features, including container and VM backups, SDS, ReadyKernel live patching, additional memory policies for vcmmd, a different installer, a different default package set and technical support.  

Opt for the virtualization software that best meets the requirements of your enterprise.

Read next: Best Server Virtualization Software of 2021