Looking for small-footprint kernel just to virtualize other OS's.

Mister_Andy · 10-22-2009, 12:03 PM

Question is: What OS should I use to host virtual machines, at least one of which will be a server, while maintaining a smaller footprint than Windows XP/Vista/7's Virtual PC, and where should I look for steps to install it & add virtual machines?

First of all, this'll be my first experience with linux, so go easy on me, if you will. I've been using Windows OS's up until now, but I think it's about time I expand my horizons.

Alright. So.
I recently built a new computer (specs below, in case they matter) because my old one was barely able to handle Windows XP. I've now got a fairly powerful machine, and a static IP attached to it.

I'd like to find & install a linux kernel just to host virtual machines.(ideally, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and a linux build which I haven't chosen yet.)

I'm interested in using a linux kernel rather than VirtualPC because I've heard I can get a much smaller footprint that way. (So I don't waste as much of my system resources)

In doing a little research, I've found that Xen seems to be my best bet.
Their website talks a lot about its features, and how to use it, but I'm having a hard time finding out how to install it, and if it needs a hsot OS first (And what to use to host it. :P )

--Current computer build--
MoBo: Intel DP55WB
CPU: Intel Core i5 750
RAM: OCZ PC3-10666 1333MHz DDR3 RAM, 8gb (4x2gb)
Vid: ATI Radeon 4670 && nVidia GeForce 6200
HDD: Hitachi 1tb && Toshiba 200gb
OS: Windows 7 RTM (Die, Seven! DIE! Curse you and your hatred for unsigned drivers.)

onebuck · 10-22-2009, 01:38 PM

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

First, you will need to select a distribution which has the kernel of your choice. Most current distro utilize the 2.6 kernel.
I'm partial to Slackware and use it on my machines. The stable release is now Slackware 13.0 x86_32 or x86_64.

As for virtualization, you have several available; QEMU, VirtualBox, VmWare to list a few. LQ has a new ' Linux - Virtualization ' forum.

The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

Mister_Andy · 10-22-2009, 04:08 PM

Thank you very much.

That'll help a lot.

jefro · 10-22-2009, 04:19 PM

Get Vmware's ESXI if your system supports it. It is the smallest footprint of any VM I know of.

Mister_Andy · 10-28-2009, 12:20 PM

ESXi looks pretty great, but it unfortunately doesn't run on SATA drives. They say you need SCSI. (Although I saw an article that said you could use IDE)

Thanks for the tip though; I'll keep it in mind in the future.