Server Virtualization with Virtuozzo Containers

Posted on September 9th, 2009
A blog post by DN (1 Comment)

Developed by software specialist Parallels, Virtuozzo Containers is a virtualization program that differs greatly from the norm.  Unlike most software that virtualizes the hardware, this one virtualizes the host operating system.  The result is similar as it provides the ability to support a number of isolated virtual environments or containers on a single machine.  The distinct advantage of Virtuozzo is that it can support far more containers and allows them to be managed easier and with greater efficiency.  This software is a direct competitor of high-end virtualization solutions created by vendors such as Citrix, Microsoft and VMWare.  While it supports the Windows operating system and various Linux distributions, all you need to do is install a single host OS, which evenly distributes all the resources each container requires.

Easy to Get up and Running

Virtuozzo Containers is easy to install on a server.  The installation process is effortless when installing the software without patches or applications, as this avoids conflict.  On a standard piece of equipment, you can have the application installed and ready to go in about 20 minutes.  After installation, you can easily access the tools needed to configure and manage your containers.  Virtuozzo comes bundled with the Parallels Management Console, which is the administrative tool you can use on the server itself, as well as the Parallels Infrastructure, a web-based facility that allows you to remotely administer your virtual private servers and other compatible Parallels products.

Virtuozzo Containers offers a straightforward user interface that adds ease to the process of creating and managing containers.  However, because you only have to install the operating system one time, creating new containers is much faster and easier.  Templates add to the simplicity and if need be, end-users can be provided with the freedom to create and maintain their own containers by using the Parallels Power Panel, another web-based management tool developed by Parallels.

Features and Capabilities

In the virtualization environment, containers look and feel just like individual instances of the host operating system.  Therefore, Virtuozzo allows you to connect them to a Windows or Linux server using a remote desktop tool to install and run applications just as you would when connecting to a real, physical computer system.  In addition, the software provides monitoring tools, backup utilities and other features that aid in the process of transferring both physical and virtual content to the Virtuozzo environment.  It also offers features such as dynamic resource allocation, load balancing and a built-in migration function that enables you to move containers between servers without needing to be shut down.  This software is a complete virtualization solution for ensuring a high level of stability, performance, security and availability.

Summary

Virtuozzo is a very capable product, but not perfect.  The one gleaming disadvantage is its inability to run different platforms on the same host operating system like many competing virtualization tools.  For example, if Windows is your host OS, you can’t run SUSE and CentOS Linux distributions on top of it.  On the other hand, you can expect this product to deliver the performance of the leading virtualizaiton products with added benefits such as lower storage overhead and the ability to efficiently run more private environments.  If your host system is up to par with patches and security updates, Virtuozzo can provide a secure and high performing virtual server management environment that matches up with the best of them.