Often referred to as OS-level or shared OS virtualization, OS virtualization virtualizes servers on the operating system (kernel) layer. This method of virtualization creates isolated partitions, or virtual environments (VEs) on a single physical server and OS instance to utilize hardware, software, data center and management efforts with maximum efficiency.

The two diagrams below show the hypervisor or hardware virtualization technology in comparison to OS virtualization.

The hypervisor model has a base layer (usually a thin Linux kernel shown here as a hypervisor or standard OS) that is loaded directly on the bare server. To allocate hardware and resources to the virtual machines, all of the hardware on the server must be virtualized. The next layer up shows each chip, board, etc. must be virtualized so that it can be assigned to virtual machines. Once in the virtual machine itself, there is a complete copy of an operating system and finally the application or workload.

The OS virtualization model is streamlined for the best performance, management and efficiency. At the base resides a standard host operating system, in the case of Virtuozzo that includes Windows and Linux. Next is the virtualization layer with a proprietary file system and a kernel service abstraction layer that ensure isolation and security of resources between different virtual environments. The virtualization layer makes each virtual environment appear as a standalone server. Finally, the virtual environment itself houses the application or workload.

Unique capabilities of Virtuozzo:

Performance
Virtuozzo’s lean architecture performs at levels consistent with native servers. Virtuozzo has no virtualized hardware and uses native hardware and software drivers making its performance unbeatable. Virtuozzo’s performance makes it suitable for high I/O applications such as databases and email servers. Find out more about performance.

Scalability
Each VE can seamlessly scale up to the resources of an entire physical server.

Density
Virtuozzo’s efficient technology makes its VEs the highest density available from a virtualization solution. OS code and resource/cache sharing across VEs, templating of OSs and applications, VzCacheOnline are a few of the capabilities that enable up to 100s of VEs on a standard production physical server.

Consolidated OS and Application Management
Virtuozzo uses a single OS, making it extremely simple to maintain and update across VEs. Applications may also be deployed as a single instance. Virtuozzo template technology enables the ability to update groups of servers or VEs to new patch levels.

Ultra Fast and Parallel Operations
Single OS instance with links and caches enable very fast VE provisioning and other operations. Create, restart, update, resize, backup/restore, migrate, and clone are some of the fast operations optimized for parallel operations.

Dynamic Resource Allocation
Change heavily detailed VE resource parameters in real-time with the flexibility to enable burstable resource usage.

Management Suite of Tools
Designed for Large-scale deployments with live deployments with as many 1,000s of VEs on 100s of physical servers. The complete suite includes permissions enabled browser-based and client interfaces for Virtuozzo and VE administrators. Tools enable many operations including: convert, provision, monitor, backup, recover, analyze, troubleshoot, repair, migrate, self-manage and more across both Windows and Linux platforms for easy consistent management.

Tools Easy Integration
Virtuozzo management tools use industry standard integration technologies: SOAP, XML RPC, CLI and SNMP APIs and SDK, LDAP. 3rd party tools may be easily integrated including: HP, IBM, Microsoft, and CA.

Datacenter Automation Suite (DAS)
Expand virtualized automation into provisioning, workflow, usage accounting, chargeback capabilities and more with the Data Automation Suite.

Live Migration
Move VEs without a service interruption between non-shared storage, using a basic server and standard network configuration.

Broad Platform Support
General hardware independence, supporting any hardware supported by standard Windows and Linux operating systems. Platforms include: Itanium, x86, x64, EM64T and AMD64.

Detailed Resource Management
Virtuozzo has extensive resource control with over 30 parameters to set VE performance and resource management guidelines for novice users.