Hello HD,

We purchased some new equipment (E3-1230's to be exact) and we're considering either using SolusVM w/ XEN or Hyper-V (Data Center Edition).

We're just trying to consider our best options. From what I've tested with Hyper-V it has amazing performance. We actually tested it on another node of ours and if you configure the network settings just right we got as high as 150mbps Upload w/ Download being 450mbps <URL removed>. The problem is there is no automation through WHMCS, no way to monitor bandwidth usage, nor a panel to allow remote reboots, etc. This could raise support requests and I don't know one company that would want to do that.

The other option we were thinking about is sticking with XEN, but the issue is we plan on using this only for Windows VE's. Do you have any suggestions on how to license those bad boys - We're trying to see what our best option is and I can assure you that Windows Data Center license wasn't cheap!

Thank you,
Tanner

i believe xen manages memory and resources better, it all turns out to be about reliability.

Just as an update - We've installed Windows 2008 Data Centre on one of our brand new E3-1230's w/ 16GB RAM and all service performance has been phenomenal!

There are some downfalls:
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1. No automation through WHMCS (Manual Deployment)
2. No network restrictions (all VE's sharing 1gigE UP-LINK)
3. No panel for reboots, vnc, etc
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Those are just a few downfalls, and we'll keep everyone updated if we find anything new.

Regards,
Tanner

So how about VMware?

That's a great option as well! - We're "BETA" testing many new platforms but from what I can see SolusVM has to be one of the best I've personally used.

You can use WebSitePanel, previously DotNetPanel to manage Hyper-V which has automation settings in WHMCS. Not sure what automation it would have for VPS but there is definitely a module for it.

Windows VPS on XEN are licensed on a per VM basis meaning, however much you pay for Windows 2008 Standard for a dedicated server, is how much you'll pay for the VM. Using Hyper-V with 2008 datacenter version, all the VPS are licensed under the host.

If you are going for Hyper -V module which is a fantastic thing to use for windows based VPS , you can use Website panel which is Free. However when it comes to support website panel has no such options as it has community support and no real support team for fixes.

So better way is to either for with OpenVZ or XEN . Mostly Xen manages the resources very effectively.

But there is a big difference between OpenVZ and XEN right? With OpenVZ you cannot do full virtualization. Many people really don't prefer containers.

yes there is a big difference in OpenVZ and XEN . But didnt understand what do you mean by can not do full virtualization ?

Well as far as I understood OpenVZ can only create containers. Not fully virtualized servers, thereby for example not being able to run all operating systems. We work with KVM so i dont know the specifics of OpenVZ.

If your selling the resource you have to be part of the VMware VSPP which isnt cheap

I think you hit the nail on the head with the "required automation".

Your selection maybe governed by the control panel you invest in.

The simpliest way to license is to get DataCenter CPU licenses. License the physical CPU's and then you dont need to worry about the windows licensing for the guest machines. You will still need to buy licenses for any other microsoft applications through the SPLA

You are looking at about £45 per CPU license but these prices are going up 33.4% in the UK soon now those AMD 16 core CPU's look very attractive

For me VMware provides the best perfromance, especially with windows machines but it is too expensive for most startups and really depends on who you are targeting.

We use XEN powered by OnApp which works well but again there are some costs involved and a fair amount of development to get a half decent whmcs module put together. The default isnt much fun.

Only issue we have seen with XEN is perfromance issues with Windows machines before hte XEN drivers are installed. There is a certain amoutn of CPU hit n DOM0 for any disk IO before these are running. Once its started though speeds are good so in the real world it doesnt make that much differenence unless you are restarting your VM a lot.