KVM vs Virtuozzo

May 28, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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KVM
KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V). It consists of a loadable kernel module, kvm.ko, that provides the core virtualization infrastructure and a processor specific module, kvm-intel.ko or kvm-amd.ko. KVM also requires a modified QEMU although work is underway to get the required changes upstream.
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Virtuozzo
Virtuozzo Containers is an operating system virtualization solution that maximizes your investment in server hardware. Virtuozzo Containers is uniquely suited to Cloud server virtualization, enabling near instant provisioning and on-the-fly modification of hosting and Cloud server plans while delivering maximum density, cost efficiency and application performance.
The key differences between KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) and Virtuozzo lie in their virtualization approaches, resource management, and use cases.

KVM is a full virtualization solution that allows running multiple operating systems as virtual machines on a host machine. It leverages hardware virtualization extensions, such as Intel VT or AMD-V, to provide hardware-level isolation and complete virtualization of resources. Each virtual machine runs its own instance of the operating system, and the resources are allocated to each VM independently. KVM is suitable for scenarios that require running different operating systems or applications with varying resource needs in isolated environments, such as server virtualization or cloud infrastructure.

Virtuozzo, on the other hand, is a container-based virtualization platform that uses operating system-level virtualization. It creates lightweight containers, also known as virtual environments, on a host operating system. These containers share the same kernel and utilize the host system's resources efficiently. Unlike KVM, Virtuozzo does not provide full virtualization of operating systems; instead, it focuses on delivering high-density container deployments. Virtuozzo is well-suited for scenarios that require efficient resource utilization, rapid container deployment, and isolation between containers, such as web hosting, cloud service providers, or software development environments.

In summary, the main differences between KVM and Virtuozzo are:

1. Virtualization Approach: KVM provides full virtualization with separate instances of operating systems running in virtual machines, while Virtuozzo utilizes container-based virtualization at the operating system level, creating lightweight containers that share the same host kernel.

2. Resource Management: KVM allows independent allocation of resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, to each virtual machine, providing strong isolation. Virtuozzo, on the other hand, shares resources across containers, maximizing resource utilization and achieving high-density deployments.

3. Use Cases: KVM is suitable for scenarios that require running multiple operating systems or applications with varying resource needs in isolated virtual machines. Virtuozzo is well-suited for environments that prioritize efficient resource utilization, scalability, and rapid container deployment, such as web hosting, cloud service providers, or software development environments.

See also: Top 10 Virtualization platforms
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