VMware vs. Microsoft vs. Xen: An expert face-off

VMware vs. Microsoft vs. Xen: An expert face-off

In our face-off on virtualization technologies, experts Anil Desai, David Davis and Andrew Kutz weigh in on the merits and drawbacks of three leading virtualization platforms: Microsoft's Hyper-V, VMware and Citrix Systems' Xen.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Surviving hypervisor competition and chaos
 II. Virtualization costs and pricing: News you can use
III. VMware vs. Microsoft vs. Xen: An expert face-off
 IV. Cutting and controlling costs with virtualization: Expert advice

Making the case for Hyper-V's superiority
Microsoft's Hyper-V will enter the virtualization ring as a relative underdog. But Hyper-V's price and better hardware compatibility poise it to compete with VMware and Xen.
By Anil Desai


Hyper-V no match for VMware ESX performance, features
Hyper-V may have certain advantages over VMware in terms of price, but in terms of management capabilities and functionality, VMware's capabilities far exceed its competition.
By David Davis


Lessening hypervisor importance may benefit Xen
From XenServer and to Sun xVM, Xen-based products have challenged VMware's market share and deemed hypervisor technology less relevant. Lower pricing, better packaging and less emphasis on hypervisors may spell long-term success for Xen.
By Andrew Kutz

For more on the virtualization pricing wars, check out the rest of our special report.

This was first published in June 2008