Avoid the ‘Hypervisor Tax’ with Linux KVM Hypervisors

Published On: 24th February 2022//2.2 min read//Tags: , , , , , , , //

When implementing virtualized IT infrastructure, a hypervisor is commonly used to create and run virtual machines (VMs). A hypervisor is a piece of software that helps divide and allocate resources on various pieces of hardware. It enables multiple operating systems to run on a single host, simultaneously.

While there are many benefits to implementing a hypervisor within your organization’s virtualized environment – including increased speed, efficiency, and flexibility – there are also challenges.

One of those challenges is dealing with “hypervisor tax,” which is the overhead cost to install and run a hypervisor on the physical server. In order to avoid the hypervisor tax, many organizations turn to open-source hypervisor options to enable virtualization. However, this option can often come at its own cost, with many open-source environments requiring intensive management.

With Linux KVM (Kernel Virtual Machine) hypervisors, this doesn’t have to be the case. KVM hypervisors are becoming an increasingly popular choice for organizations looking to virtualize their IT infrastructure. As open-source software, with a highly active user and support community, a KVM hypervisor provides organizations with a free, lightweight solution that isn’t tied to ongoing maintenance or upgrade costs.

Avoid the Hypervisor Tax with StorMagic SvSAN and KVM

StorMagic SvSAN is fully compatible with Linux KVM hypervisors. SvSAN is a virtual SAN solution that’s installed as a virtual storage appliance (VSA) on top of a hypervisor, and creates highly available shared storage by synchronously mirroring data between two server nodes. Deploying StorMagic SvSAN on KVM hypervisors enables organizations to create hyperconverged infrastructure at a surprisingly low cost.

While a KVM hypervisor may not have the full suite of features found in a commercially available hypervisor, VM high availability, failover, migration and snapshots are all included. Features that might not come with standard distributions of KVM can be added by leveraging third party open-source tools as required, enabling organizations to customize their hypervisor to their exact requirements.

SvSAN 2-node with KVM hypervisor

The benefits of avoiding the ‘hypervisor tax’ are amplified by SvSAN’s lightweight two node architecture and low hardware requirements. Instead of a complex, DIY process, all that’s required is a simple checklist to get up and running. The lightweight, cost-effective and flexible architecture of KVM mirrors StorMagic SvSAN’s design and capabilities, making the two a perfect fit for many environments.

Interested in learning more? Download a copy of our StorMagic SvSAN with KVM Hypervisors Data Sheet for additional information about avoiding the hypervisor tax and deploying SvSAN with KVM. Find out more about the significant cost savings, flexibility and other benefits your organization could realize by combining the two.

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