Citrix Hypervisor vs Xen

May 27, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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Citrix Hypervisor
Citrix Hypervisor (formerly Citrix XenServer) is a leading virtualization management platform optimized for application, desktop and server virtualization infrastructures. Consolidation and containment of workloads on Citrix Hypervisor enables organizations of any vertical or size to transform their business IT compute infrastructures.
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Xen
Xen Project is a type-1 hypervisor, providing services that allow multiple computer operating systems to execute on the same computer hardware concurrently.

Citrix Hypervisor and Xen are closely related virtualization platforms, with Citrix Hypervisor being a commercial version of the open-source Xen hypervisor. While they share many similarities, there are some key differences between the two.

Citrix Hypervisor is a commercial virtualization solution offered by Citrix, built on the open-source Xen hypervisor project. It provides enterprise-level features and support, making it well-suited for organizations that require professional-grade virtualization capabilities. Citrix Hypervisor offers advanced features such as live migration, high availability, workload balancing, and enhanced security options. It also provides integration with other Citrix products and solutions, enabling seamless management and deployment of virtualized environments.

Xen, on the other hand, is the open-source hypervisor project that serves as the foundation for Citrix Hypervisor. It is a Type-1 hypervisor that runs directly on the host hardware and supports both para-virtualization and hardware-assisted virtualization. Xen is known for its stability, security, and performance, and is widely used in server virtualization scenarios. It offers features such as live migration, memory oversubscription, and dynamic resource management.

See also: Top 10 Virtualization platforms
Citrix Hypervisor vs Xen in our news:

2015. Citrix acquired data storage virtualization startup Sanbolic



Virtualization leader Citrix has recently acquired Sanbolic, a specialized provider of virtual storage optimization services. This strategic move fills a crucial gap in Citrix's virtualization product portfolio, strengthening its overall offering. Sanbolic has a strong synergy with Citrix's desktop virtualization technology and was already regarded as a valuable partner prior to the acquisition, making this deal a logical step forward. By joining forces with Sanbolic, Citrix gains access to a unique set of capabilities, notably the ability to create software-defined storage pools and efficiently distribute storage across networks, even in situations where the nodes are geographically dispersed. This acquisition enhances Citrix's ability to deliver advanced virtualization solutions, further solidifying its market position.


2014. Citrix Receiver for Chrome becomes more business-ready



Google and Citrix have collaborated on a new release of the Citrix Receiver for Chrome, aiming to attract more businesses to Google's Chrome OS platform. The updated Receiver enables users to access their virtual apps and desktops through XenDesktop and XenApp on various devices such as smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs. With enhanced compatibility with Chrome OS, Receiver for Chrome now allows seamless utilization of Google Cloud Print. Moreover, improvements have been made to ensure better functionality of audio and video playback. Additional features encompass integration with Chrome OS's clipboard across local and remote applications, as well as monitoring capabilities through HDX Insight and support for direct SSL connections.


2007. Citrix to buy virtualization company XenSource



Citrix, a leading provider of thin client software for delivering business applications from servers to desktop computers, has recently completed the acquisition of XenSource, an open-source virtualization company, for approximately $500 million. This strategic move enables Citrix to expand its presence into the server and desktop virtualization market. XenSource offers a powerful open-source "hypervisor" software called Xen, which enables a single computer to simultaneously run multiple operating systems. This technology is particularly beneficial for replacing traditional servers with a more efficient, consolidated computing solution. XenSource's commercial offering, XenEnterprise, is built upon the Xen software platform. Virtualization has emerged as a highly sought-after technology in the IT industry as it empowers corporate customers to optimize their computing resources by consolidating numerous computing tasks onto fewer physical machines. Notably, VMware, the current market leader in virtualization, recently went public, experiencing a significant surge in its stock price, rising from $29 (its offering price) to $51.

Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com