I did a thing, have a quick Linux question
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Hey guys.
So I've been poking around with linux for a while, mainly Ubuntu and Debian.
So I finally pulled the trigger and bought a dedicated box so I can actually go hard with Linux
(Hp DL120 G7)
I know I've seen it here multiple times but what is the suggested VMWare alternative for Linux
Thanks!
Also any fun learning projects downstairs will be accepted and tried!
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VMware Alternatives for anything: Xen/XenServer, KVM and Hyper-V. That's the field of players.
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Xen (often in the guise of XenServer) tends to be the best option for Linux. Both because of performance and integration; but also because if you want to do a lot of under the hood things, there is a lot of shared skill set (but only if you want to get under the hood.)
XenServer would be my first pick here. But certainly, all three work great.
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I like KVM, though I agree with Scott that XenServer is probably the first option you'll want to use; especially if you'll be seeking assistance from this community. A lot of the common tools and packages (libvirt and virt-manager come to mind) are compatible with both Xen and KVM-QEMU. Once you've got a familiarity with XenServer, a lot of what you've learned will translate to managing a KVM hypervisor.
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@scottalanmiller
Awesome thanks!I'll start my google-boxing now!
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I think there are quite a few differences from an architecture perspective when you compare XenServer to KVM.
I agree that Xen still wins the performance battle depending on the workload and has more third-party tools available for management, specially for people who are learning that makes a difference.
But I do like the fact that KVM is part of the Kernel already and you can address hardware directly still, and get good performance with VirtIO, so its easier to make changes to it to adapt the hypervisor to what you want it to be or perform
With libvirt, latest I've seen this come more to a personal choice than anything
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@htbase
I'll definately be reading up on both, not to mention destroying and rebuilding my server 100 times over.I truly could see my career going down the linux path, huge fan of messing around with it.
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Linux is the best. So much more fun to work on, and better pay, too.
Posting from Linux.
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While I'm here I mine as well ask if its spec'd good or not...
I assume in the world of Linux it should be able to get me like 10-20 ...virtuals? (Is that still the proper terminology)HP PROLIANT DL120 G7 SERVER E3-1230 QC HT 3.2GHz 16GB DDR3 3.5"
Thanks!
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@Sparkum said in I did a thing, have a quick Linux question:
While I'm here I mine as well ask if its spec'd good or not...
I assume in the world of Linux it should be able to get me like 10-20 ...virtuals? (Is that still the proper terminology)HP PROLIANT DL120 G7 SERVER E3-1230 QC HT 3.2GHz 16GB DDR3 3.5"
Thanks!
Memory is your limiter here. With 16GB 10 is very doable, 20 is pushing it.
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Hmm lame (not that 10 is a bad number)
I dont have an exact product number yet, but googling I'm finding (what looks like the same server) with max 16GB and max 32GB of ram for the G7,
This would just be generation specific I think? (Sorry more of a dell guy myself)
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@Sparkum said in I did a thing, have a quick Linux question:
Hmm lame (not that 10 is a bad number)
I dont have an exact product number yet, but googling I'm finding (what looks like the same server) with max 16GB and max 32GB of ram for the G7,
This would just be generation specific I think? (Sorry more of a dell guy myself)
That seems low, but year it is model specific. The DL120 is not a production server so is much more limited. That's an entry level cluster node machine.
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@Sparkum said in I did a thing, have a quick Linux question:
Hmm lame (not that 10 is a bad number)
I dont have an exact product number yet, but googling I'm finding (what looks like the same server) with max 16GB and max 32GB of ram for the G7,
This would just be generation specific I think? (Sorry more of a dell guy myself)
10 is way more than enough to give yourself a serious challenge and do some hardcore learning.
Hell, 10 is more than enough to run a smaller business
Welcome. Good luck. Remember to have fun.
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Yeah, ten is a lot.
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@scottalanmiller said in I did a thing, have a quick Linux question:
Yeah, ten is a lot.
especially for a lab scenario where you will likely not have ten running all at the same time.
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@Sparkum said in I did a thing, have a quick Linux question:
Hmm lame (not that 10 is a bad number)
I dont have an exact product number yet, but googling I'm finding (what looks like the same server) with max 16GB and max 32GB of ram for the G7,
This would just be generation specific I think? (Sorry more of a dell guy myself)
Are you ONLY learning on it? I went a little wild with my specs but that was because I'm transcoding video to multiple sites through a plex server. Essentially my own netflix.
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And containers can increase density. 16GB will go further with LXC or Docker than with full VMs. But it's different, too.
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Yep just learning, I leave Plex to my Windows box (for now atleast)
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@Sparkum said in I did a thing, have a quick Linux question:
Yep just learning, I leave Plex to my Windows box (for now atleast)
I'm ready for my Windows box to go away, lol.
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@Sparkum said in I did a thing, have a quick Linux question:
Yep just learning, I leave Plex to my Windows box (for now atleast)
Plex runs SO much better on Linux. I can't even articulate it well enough honestly. Huge.
