Linux is a widely used open source operating system that offers excellent stability, security, and flexibility. On the Linux system, virtualization technology plays an important role, enabling users to run multiple virtual machines on one physical computer, and effectively manage and utilize resources. This article describes the 10 best Linux virtualization software to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
1. KVM
KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a virtualization solution based on the Linux kernel. It utilizes the virtualization function of the Linux kernel to transform a physical computer into a host that can run multiple virtual machines simultaneously. KVM supports a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and BSD. It has good performance and stability, and is the virtualization solution of choice for many enterprises and data centers.
install command
On Debian/Ubuntu based systems, KVM can be installed with the following command:
sudo apt-get install qemu-kvm libvirt-clients libvirt-daemon-system virtinst bridge-utils
Features and Benefits
- Based on the Linux kernel, it has high performance.
- Support for hardware virtualization extensions (Intel VT-x and AMD-V).
- Can be combined with other management tools (such as libvirt) to provide convenient management and monitoring functions.
2. VirtualBox
VirtualBox is a powerful open-source virtualization software that runs on operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS. It provides a user-friendly graphical interface that enables users to easily create, manage and run virtual machines. VirtualBox supports a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, Solaris, FreeBSD, and more. It also provides a wealth of features, such as shared folders, snapshots and network configuration.
install command
You can download the installer for Linux from the official VirtualBox website and follow the guide to install it.
Features and Benefits
- Easy-to-use graphical interface.
- Multiple operating systems are supported.
- Offers a wealth of features and configuration options.
3. VMware Workstation Player
VMware Workstation Player is a free virtual machine software that runs on Linux and Windows. It provides a simple yet powerful interface that enables users to create, run and share virtual machines. Although VMware Workstation Player is free, it still offers many advanced features such as snapshots, cloning, and virtual network configuration.
install command
The VMware Workstation Player mentioned above needs to be installed on the Linux system by downloading and installing the binary package from the official website, and there is no specific command line installation method. You can install VMware Workstation Player by following these steps:
- Open the official website of VMware Workstation Player (https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html).
- To find a version for Linux, download a binary package (usually a .bundle or .sh file).
- Open a terminal, and navigate to the download directory.
- Grant execution permission to the binary with the following command:
chmod +x <filename>
where <filename>is the name of the VMware Workstation Player binary you downloaded.
- Run the following command to start the installation process:
sudo ./<filename>
This will run the installer and guide you through the installation process.
Please note that before installing VMware Workstation Player, make sure your system meets the minimum system requirements and refer to the official documentation for more detailed installation instructions.
Features and Benefits
- Provides a simple yet powerful interface for easy use and management of virtual machines.
- Multiple operating systems are supported, including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Provides advanced features such as snapshots, cloning, and virtual network configuration.
4. QEMU
QEMU is an open source virtualization software that can run on a variety of operating systems. It supports hardware virtualization extensions such as Intel VT-x and AMD-V, and provides good performance and stability. QEMU can emulate multiple processor architectures, including x86, ARM, PowerPC, and more. It also provides a rich command line interface, allowing users to configure and manage virtual machines in a more granular manner.
install command
On Debian/Ubuntu based systems, QEMU can be installed with the following command:
sudo apt-get install qemu-system
Features and Benefits
- Open source software with extensive community support.
- Multiple processor architectures are supported.
- Provides a rich command line interface, allowing more advanced configuration and management.
5. Xen
Xen is an open source virtualization platform widely used in server and cloud computing environments. It provides high performance and scalability, and supports virtualization of multiple operating systems. Xen uses a software layer called a "hypervisor" to divide a physical computer into multiple virtual machines and allocate and manage resources. Xen also provides a set of tools and interfaces for managing and monitoring virtual machines.
install command
The installation and configuration of Xen is complex and requires a series of steps and configurations. The following are general steps for installing Xen in general, but specific steps may vary for different Linux distributions and versions. It is recommended to consult the official documentation and guides for your specific environment before installing.
- Check hardware requirements: Xen requires a CPU that supports hardware virtualization extensions such as Intel VT or AMD-V. You can check if your CPU supports virtualization extensions by running the following command:
egrep -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo
If the return value is greater than 0, it means that the CPU supports virtualization extensions.
- Install the Xen packages: Install the Xen packages using the package manager for your Linux distribution. The following are example commands based on Debian/Ubuntu:
sudo apt-get install xen-hypervisor-<version> xen-tools
<version>is the version number of Xen to install.
- Configure Bootloader: Edit the configuration file of a bootloader such as GRUB in order to start Xen. Add lines similar to the following to the file:
title Xen
kernel /xen.gz
module /vmlinuz-<version>-xen-amd64 root=/dev/sda1 ro console=hvc0
module /initrd.img-<version>-xen-amd64
<version>is the kernel version you are using.
- Configure virtual machine: Create and configure configuration files for virtual machines. Examples are as follows:
name = "myvm"
memory = 2048
disk = [ 'phy:/dev/sdb,xvda,w' ]
vif = [ 'bridge=xenbr0' ]
This is a simple example configuration file that you can tweak to your needs.
- Start Xen: Reboot the system and select the option to start Xen. The system will start Xen and the virtual machine.
Note that the above steps only provide a general overview of the installation and configuration process, and specific steps and commands may vary. Be sure to read the official documentation and guides for your specific environment carefully before proceeding with the installation.
Features and Benefits
- Powerful virtualization platform for server and cloud computing environments.
- High performance and scalability.
- Supports virtualization of multiple operating systems.
- Provides a set of tools and interfaces for managing and monitoring virtual machines.
Summarize
These are the 5 best Linux virtualization software that offer a wealth of features and configuration options for different virtualization needs. The table below compares and summarizes these virtualization software:
| name of software | Features and Benefits |
|---|---|
| KVM | - Based on Linux kernel - High performance and stability - Support hardware virtualization extension - Can be used in combination with other management tools |
| VirtualBox | - Easy-to-use graphical interface - Supports multiple operating systems - Provides rich features and configuration options |
| VMware Workstation Player | - Simple and powerful interface - Supports multiple operating systems - Provides advanced features |
| QEMU | - Open source software with extensive community support - Supports multiple processor architectures - Provides a rich command line interface |
| Xen | - Powerful virtualization platform - High performance and scalability - Supports virtualization of multiple operating systems - Provides a set of tools and interfaces |
These virtualization software have their own advantages and applicability in different scenarios. For example, if you need to run multiple virtual machines on a Linux system and have high performance requirements, KVM might be a good choice. If you need an easy-to-use virtualization software and want to quickly switch between different operating systems, then VirtualBox may be more suitable for your needs.
Whichever virtualization software you choose, you should evaluate it based on your needs and technical requirements. Before using these software, it is recommended to read the official documentation and community support resources to learn more details about installation, configuration and usage.