oVirt is a virtualization platform with an easy-to-use web interface. oVirt is built on libvirt which could allow it to manage virtual machines hosted on any supported backend, including KVM, Xen and VirtualBox. oVirt manages virtual machines, storage and virtualized networks.
oVirt Engine is the control center of the oVirt environment. It allows you to define hosts, configure data centers, add storage, define networks, create virtual machines, manage user permissions and use templates from one central location.
The project consists of the engine core (backend server), VDSM agents and a client side user interface (GWT based) and/or RESTful API to control the engine core.
oVirt has three web-based front-ends – for administrators, users and power users (for self provisioning). It also has a REST based API, a Python SDK and a CLI interface, which allows automation of most of its features.
oVirt is an open source software with backing from Red Hat and it is the base for Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization. oVirt is written in Java, over JBoss application server and GWT web framework for its user interface. VDSMd is written in Python.
Features include:
- High availability.
- Manage multiple virtual machines.
- Sophisticated web-based management interface for all aspects of your datacenter.
- Choice of means of allocation of VMs to hosts: manual, “optimised”, pinned.
- Live migration of VMs from one hypervisor to another.
- Add new hypervisor nodes easily and centrally.
- Monitor resource usage on VMs.
- Load balancing.
- Manage quotas for use of resources (storage, compute, network).
- Self-service console for simple and advanced use cases.
- Built on KVM hypervisor.
- Enhanced security: SELinux and Mandatory Access Control for VMs and hypervisor.
- Scalability: up to 64 vCPU and 2TB vRAM per guest.
- iSCSI, FC, NFS, and local storage.
- Memory overcommit support (Kernel Samepage Merging).
- Developer SDK for ovirt-engine, written in Python.
Website: www.ovirt.org
Support: Documentation
Developer: Red Hat
License: Apache License 2.0
oVirt is written in Java. Learn Java with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to IaaS | Return to Type 1 Hypervisors
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
 | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
 | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
 | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. |
 | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
 | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
 | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
 | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
 | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
 | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
 | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
 | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
 | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
 | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
 | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
 | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
 | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
 | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
 | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
 | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
 | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
 | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |