What are the current favorite choices for software to facilitate running Virtual Private Servers? I'm talking about products like FreeVSD or Sphera that allow a server to be partitioned into virtual "dedicated servers" that allow each user root access.

I've been thinking about this for a while, and it seems like a nice thing to be able to offer between shared and dedicated hosting. Any experiences with any of the software packages? Any comments or warnings? I looked into Virtuozzo but didn't like their business practices.

If you want complete automation 'in a box', go with something like Ensim ServerXchange.

If you want to be able to provision a ton of servers on a single physical box, go with something like FreeVSD (it's the least resource intensive virtualization I've seen).

If you need true 'OS flexibility' go with something like VMWare GSX server. You can install any x86 OS on it -- the trick is getting a license and automating a ton of stuff.

Dan

Take a look at FreeBSD Jail facility also.
It's great solution but only in case you have your own programmer who can build hosting system based on this facility.

Travis, what's wrong with the Virtuozzo business practices? I just bought the Virtuozzo special, $3,000 for 2 servers, with vzmc and I like it. there's no extra charges. What's up?

I looked into Virtuozzo but didn't like their business practices.

What about them don't you like? We bought their completely automated system recently.

So far we haven't had any issues with them or their business practices, but I would certainly like to know if there is something we should watch out for.

the freebsd jail facility, as well as the linux chroot facility (greatly improved in 2.4.x kernels btw) are both bypassable using some (not so trivial, but doable) tricks with ptrace (the system call used to debug applications).

i suggest going with something more secure than that, unless you dont expect your users to do anything shady ;)

good luck,
paul

Greetings:

"I looked into Virtuozzo but didn't like their business practices."

What does this mean?

Thank you.

People, whatever it means, it was written almost three months ago. :cartman:

I believe Virtuozzo is banned from this forum, perhaps due to spamming. This is probably the "business practice" that was referred to.

Peter

Originally posted by rusko
the freebsd jail facility, as well as the linux chroot facility (greatly improved in 2.4.x kernels btw) are both bypassable using some (not so trivial, but doable) tricks with ptrace (the system call used to debug applications).

i suggest going with something more secure than that, unless you dont expect your users to do anything shady ;)

good luck,
paul

FreeBSD's jail() also only allows you to have one IP address per jail, so it might not be a good thing if you expect resellers to use it. :(

mind,

thats nothing that cant be fixed with a kernel module =]

paul

Originally posted by rusko
mind,

thats nothing that cant be fixed with a kernel module =]

paul

Hmm. Did something change in FreeBSD lately? :D