Xen or KVM? Please help me decide and implement the one which is better

Posted by JohnAdams on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by JohnAdams
Published on 2010-04-05T17:00:25Z Indexed on 2010/04/05 17:03 UTC
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xen

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kvm

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virtualization

I have been doing research for implementing virtualization for a server running 3 guests - two linux based and one windows. After trying my hands on Xenserver, I am impressed with the architecture and wanted to use the opensource XEN, which is when I am hearing a lot more about KVM, about how good it is and it's the future etc. So, could anyone here please help me answer some of my queries, between KVM and XEN.

Based on my requirement of three VMs on one server, which is better for performance - KVM or XEN, considering one the linux vm's will works a file-server, one as a mailserver and the third one a Windows server?
Is KVM stable? What about upgrades.. What about XEN, I cannot find support for it Ubuntu?
Are there any published benchmarks on both Xen and KVM? I cannot seem to find any.
If I go with Xen, will it possible to move to KVM later or vice versa?

In summary, I am looking for real answers on which one I should use.. Xen or KVM?

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