Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) vs. VMware vSOM (discontinued)

Kernel-based Virtual Machine is very well suited when one needs a single-node virtualization host or needs to build a complex demo setting on their own notebook (e.g. when demonstrating solutions to a customer).

Incentivized

Vsphere Operation Management is suitable for automating the process of bringing up an alternate data center in case of a disaster. It also is a great way for testing your readiness of disaster. You have the ability to bring up a server in a "bubble" for testing. This way you can show your admins how the failover process will work.

Incentivized

• Lightweight built-in implementation for all *nix based OS.
• Easy to deploy and manage VMs.
• Freeware (is you are using a free OS).

Incentivized

• The best thing about VSOM is that it's built into VCenter so you only have one point of administration
• VSOM does a great job of making applications intuitive
• Re-IPing virtual machines are a must and VSOM does a great job of making this a simple process

Incentivized

• KVM itself doesn't ship with a management interface
• KVM itself is a bit complicated to handle
• KVM needs Qemu to virtualize Windows guests

Incentivized

• The installation of VSOM is very tedious
• It uses an MS SQL database
• It should be able to adjust for hardware modifications in VCenter

Incentivized

It does the job and stays out of the way. The specifics of usability relies on the implementation, but with things like Icarus and libvirt, things are standardizing nicely.

Incentivized

The key points why I made my decision for KVM in comparison with VMWare are: Freeware software (I am using an Ubuntu server OS), Fewer resources usage, vSwitch using that provides the ability to configure dot1q trunks to/between VMs, Stability, and simplicity of using/troubleshooting, Well-known interface (for Linux geeks).

Incentivized

vSphere with Operations Management has a much better way of automating the re-IPing of servers so you can stand them up in a different environment or location. You do, however, need another way of replicating your servers to your DR site, VSOM will not do that. We used EMC Recover Point for replication.

Incentivized

• Capital expenditure costs are low, because is open-source and free
• Operational expenditure costs are medium because it's necessary [to have] an IT team with experience in Linux
• First step to the virtualization world. Wake up, we are in the 21st century

Incentivized

• In the case of a disaster, the ROI would be substantial.
• The license for VSOM is pretty expensive initially.
• Support for VSOM is terrific.

Incentivized