Virtualizing Home Server

[Hsunami]

I'm looking to build a home server and virtualize it, mainly to run dev boxes both Linux and Windows as well as a network drive for backups from main workstations. I'm currently considering options on how to easily set up and maintain this, such as Proxmox and XenServer since going open source. Any first-hand experience or suggestions on tools to help accomplish this? Thanks!

 

[rmlhhd]

I have a server at home for dev stuff, use proxmox. I have to NICs on mine, one for internet in and the other for VPN'ed internet out.

 

[MartinD]

I run ovz at home but I don't use any control panels etc - just bare vzctl.

 

[Hsunami]

Thanks, guys. If it weren't for the need to run Windows, I'd consider OpenVZ as well as I've used vzctl before and it was very simple.

 

[HalfEatenPie]

Just be lazy like me and run Proxmox.  

 

[mikho]

You could also try vmware.


Free for home usage.

 

[KuJoe]

I use VMware's ESXi for personal usage but the free license has a max of 32GB of RAM so if you go above that go with KVM.

 

[HalfEatenPie]

I use VMware's ESXi for personal usage but the free license has a max of 32GB of RAM so if you go above that go with KVM.

Haha I can't think of anything major for home-use that'd need more than 32 GB of RAM. 

Unless you're running like 20 game servers out of your house then maybe...

 

[dabtech]

I use VMware's ESXi for personal usage but the free license has a max of 32GB of RAM so if you go above that go with KVM.

That 32GB limit has been removed in 5.5:

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2064117

"The physical RAM restriction (32 GB/host) has been removed from the free vSphere 5.5 Hypervisor."

 

[Hsunami]

Thanks, I'll also look into VMware vSphere.

 

[mikho]

Thanks, I'll also look into VMware vSphere.

Its my personal favourite. Upgraded my old 4.0 installation yesterday to 5.5.


Running on a USB stick

 

[William]

Proxmox if you want to run SW RAID, if you have only one HDD or HW RAID and a supported card -> VMWare

 

[raindog308]

Virtualbox is another free home option, though it's more of a "run a VM on your desktop" than "install on bare metal to virtualize the whole box" thing.

 

[sshgroup]

Use vmware , it's okey for home usage at pretty good

 

[vampireJ]

kvm + virt-manager

 

[cloudfastservers]

Proxmox is the best way , very stable on Debian support KVM and Openvz opcorn: