A virtual private server (VPS) is one of the most common web hosting products preferred by many. It allows clients to have complete root access to their servers, making them ideal for hosting resource-heavy sites, game servers, VPNs, and other applications.
One obstacle for most clients is the choice between KVM VPS and OpenVZ VPS. Most hosting companies offer a choice between the two, whose differences are often overlooked. You should opt for the best VPS hosting plan to meet all your hosting needs.
Choosing your VPS server between OpenVZ and KVM is a decision that should be made based on your needs. Neither is downright better than the other, but one may be preferable depending on your request.
Let’s have an in-depth look at the two to help you choose the best.
What Is KVM VPS?
Kernel-based Virtualization Machine (KVM) is a hardware-assisted virtualization technology that makes it easy to set up a virtual analog of a real server on a host machine. You can change the operating system to match your personal needs without restrictions. Installation of any OS is accepted.
KVM supports ISO and template-based installation. It also has good privacy separation since the data is hidden from other users.
Under heavy load, the I / O log can sometimes occur, affecting the host and guest operating systems. You can find a cheap kvm ssd vps that meets all your needs. With the right self-managed solution, you will experience a few challenges.
We will look at the differences between KVM and OpenVZ to help you choose the right virtualization solution.
OpenVZ Vs KVM
Open Virtuozzo (OpenVZ) is an operating-system-level virtualization technology designed for Linux. It operates exclusively at the operating system level and allows you to create containers with a virtual environment. OpenVZ’s capabilities are limited because only Linux distributions can be installed: CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, etc. The technology is known for its simplicity of server management.
What’s the main difference between KVM and OpenVZ? The main difference between them lies precisely in the technology: OpenVZ – virtualization at the OS level, KVM – hardware virtualization (computer hardware is emulated). The budget for building a virtual environment based on KVM is usually more than a similar system based on OpenVZ. Both of them offer an easy live migration across different devices.
Let’s look at how they differ:
KVM VS OpenVZ: How they perform
KVM performs better compared to OpenVZ. The main reason for this is KVM requires each VPS to have its kernel. While in OpenVZ, the VPS shares a single kernel, which affects performance. Overloaded servers will experience greater performance loss than others.
KVM vs OpenVZ: Compatibility with Processors
This is an essential factor to consider when selecting a virtual technology. It is also vital when comparing KVM or OpenVZ.
OpenVZ is not processor-dependent, and you can install it on any PC easily. You can carry out the whole procedure with any processor. Despite KVM being processor-specific, you have access to different software.
You will also get virtual extensions for AMD and Intel and AMD; these are AMD-V and Intel-VT. There are also processor-specific modules. These are kvm-amd.ko and kvm-intel.ko. These extensions and modules are needed for KVM to run.
Physical Device Access
OpenVZ restricts physical device access by default. However, an admin can grant access to these devices. It can also include USB ports, PCI devices, and others. KPSs can access virtual hardware in a KVM.
Disk Encryption
Data encryption is essential to secure data against external threats. KVM provides full disk encryption, which increases the security of your data. It is not the same in OpenVZ, where the disk encryption is not complete but partial. This can be an inconvenience for the security of your data.
Cost
OpenVZ is less expensive compared to KVM. It is because it is oversold. Overselling happens when hosting providers keep too many containers in a single system. This reduces hosting costs.
KVM works best when separated from virtual hardware. These include network cards, graphics cards, and guaranteed resources. This increases reliability and customization.
Allocation of Memory
Memory is a finite asset in the computer world. You should handle it correctly. There is soft memory allocation under OpenVZ. This means that several people can use the extra memory from a single virtual environment.
In KVM, memory allocation is static. After allocation, it becomes fixed, and there is no reassigning.
Hostable Operating Systems
The advantage of virtualization is that it can host many operating systems. And this hosting should be on a single running computer. This must therefore be taken into account when choosing between OpenVZ and KVM. This is because OpenVZ can only host Linux operating systems.
While KVM can run Linux, Windows, and other custom operating systems, OpenVZ uses a single patched Linux kernel while KVM can operate different kernels.
KVM vs OpenVZ: The Failures
You should also consider failures when selecting a virtual machine. This is critical when operating vital software in a virtual device. Failure can result in corruption or data loss.
In OpenVZ, all the system containers might fail if there is an error in the kernel. The main reason behind this is that they are all based on one core. It is different when it comes to KVM because kernel failure cannot affect all digital environments.
Final Words
KVM and OpenVZ have their benefits and disadvantages. It all comes down to what you want in a virtual machine. KVM stands out as the best solution of all for your virtualization needs. If you want customization, isolation, and security, choose KVM.
The benefits of KVM in detail include:
- The ability to install any operating system
- High privacy levels
- The independence of resources from each other.
If you are planning to install Windows, then a VPS on KVM is suitable for you. Virtual dedicated servers on OpenVZ are usually sold already with pre-installed templates with Linux distributions. Also, on OVZ, server performance can change up or down. On KVM, each server receives installed resources. KVM vs OpenVZ shouldn’t be a hard topic as we have simplified everything.
