Hi thanks for your question, I am currently investigating as many virtualisation systems as I can with a view to moving over to the best one.
At the moment Xenserver is the best I think because it already has iSCSI, but Proxmox will have ISCSI in version 2.0.
I don't really know why I prefer Proxmox, but I think the pre-built appliances give it some value and the way you can interact with the system, just ssh onto the host and away you go, (I dont know if you can do this with XenServer). I need to have a look at DAB application too as it might also be useful.
Another thing against XenServer is that you have to apply the XenServer tools to the virtual system and these only support Redhat/SUSE and Dedian Etch, could be a problem if you run ubuntu server.
Hope this helps a bit.
I have used both Proxmox & XenServer & here are my observations.
XenServer:
- Vitruals will still function without the XenServer tools installed although performance is enhanced if the tools are installed. I saw a definite increase in performance recently in a Windows server vm after installing the tools although I did have full functionality prior to installing them.
- Xenserver has a a very cut down but at least functional local terminnal.
- Xenserver requires a Windows based manangement application to be installed to access all of the available features. As I also run Linux boxes this is a downer for me as now I had to install windows in a vm on the linux box to run the Xenserver administration application. I believe that there are 3rd party Xen administration applications available for Linux but not for working with Citrix's XenSserver directly.
- Installing a vm via an iso file or a virtual appliance that isn't includede with the Xenserver install requuires that a windows share (or smb) be created and the files be dumped there. After that using the Xenserver admin app you select where this location is and you will only then see the files available. Not the most intuitive approach. Proxmox's method, find-select-upload, blows this away.
- Performance is very good & once you find your way around the admin app's interface things can be done quickly & efficiently. There is a small learning curve though.
- System updates have to be downloaded to a workstation & applied via the Xenserver admin app. Not the most efficient approach but it works.
- Lots of industry presence & support
Proxmox:
- Open source & free as beer very high quality virtual enviroment.
- Leverages two different VM enviroments. ( OpenVZ & KVM) which is a big big plus.
- Remotely managed with a very clear & easy to use interface. No need for an operating specefic front end. Another nice plus.
- Very good performance & stability
- Very little setup needed before you can dive in and start creating & managing vm's. Basically install & go.
- Included migration & backup tools are very good.
- Updates are applied with the typical Linux "apt-get" fashion. Easy as pie.
- Lower industry presence & support but is improving all the time.
I like both Proxmox & XenServer, presently using Xenserver & very soon getting Proxmox 1.3 up & running on another box, and can recommend both.
I had Proxmox 1.1 running for a while and was always very impressed with it.
