Xen - Open Source options for everything
-
So in my growing passion for Xen, it's becoming painfully obvious that there seems to be an open source version of everything "Xen" which is just awesome.
To start a little collection of links pertaining to each subject matter I figured a topic would be ideal.
- Firstly Xen Project is the "community edition" fully open source solution.
- Then we have Citrix's supported version. Also offered free and with XenCenter but if you want support, buy a per socket licensing.
- Xen Orchestra - Source is a web based Xen administrative portal. Assembled and Supported Version.
- Xen Desktop(Citrix's offering) and XCP aka Xen Cloud Platform which is no longer developed, as XenServer is now fully open source.
-
Starting with Xen & Citrix's XenServer, both are the identical solutions for versions >= 6.5
With either solution you get the fully developed, "community edition" as Citrix changed the licensing on their solution to be one of a fully open source solution. Consolidating the development team so to speak. Or just saying "we don't want to develop this anymore since the community edition does it just as well". This doesn't mean that Citrix no longer offers support, just that you're getting an identical solution from either place.
Either way, their identical. Pick one, download and install to your server.
What comes with choosing the Citrix download, is XenCenter, and the option to purchase support for your installation; per cpu socket. Which for many businesses would be a must. Others not so much.
But if you think your business might need paid support at some point, download the version from Citrix.
With either solution, you get free community forums support, as well as a huge user base on many forums such as MangoLassi.it or SpiceWorks.
Information may be sparse, but as a community, we're documenting everything we can to help out. Ask for help if you need it.
Xen Orchestra (XO) is a web interface for XenServer or XAPI. Simply put its a web based management console for your XenServers or XenPool's. Github
Which means you don't need to have a management client installed on every system that might manage your Xen systems.. pretty cool.
-
Lastly we have XenDesktop which is strictly a Citrix product, the community was previously developing an Open version of this called Xen Cloud Platform (XCP) but has dropped the project as XenServer is now fully open source.
XenDesktop is Citrix's VDI solution, like VMWare View.
XCP is simply a copy of closed XenServer. Which is literally just a rebranding of Xen, and is now an identical copy which is fully open source.
With XenServer (Xen) being fully open source solutions such as XenDesktop seem to be moot, as you literally can virtualize your entire desktop fleet (windows mainly speaking). Which you can then deliver to whatever solution you need.
-
@DustinB3403 said:
Starting with Xen & Citrix's XenServer, both are the identical solutions for versions >= 6.5
XCP and XenServer. Xen is the base of both. XCP and XS were competing solutions until both became open and run by the LF. Now they are the same reference implementation of Xen, which still exists separately.
-
@scottalanmiller said:
@DustinB3403 said:
Starting with Xen & Citrix's XenServer, both are the identical solutions for versions >= 6.5
XCP and XenServer. Xen is the base of both. XCP and XS were competing solutions until both became open and run by the LF. Now they are the same reference implementation of Xen, which still exists separately.
Why the need to keep both XCP and XS if they are the same? This just seems to add confusion for no reason.
Sure XCP doesn't include XenCenter - can you seriously not uncheck a box or include a install option that tells it not to install?
-
It's just branding. They are one and the same thing. It's more just because Citrix maintains the XenServer brand name.
-
So XenDesktop is Citrix's VDI solution - Does Citrix still have a RDS add-on product? I asked because I thought XenDesktop was the name of the add-on product for Microsoft's RDS server?
-
@Dashrender said:
So XenDesktop is Citrix's VDI solution - Does Citrix still have a RDS add-on product? I asked because I thought XenDesktop was the name of the add-on product for Microsoft's RDS server?
I'm pretty sure that is XenApp.
-
Yes, RDS is built from XenApp. They are one and the same, XenApp just has more features.
