http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/203509/linux-kvm-qemu-virtualbox-vmware
I'm new to Linux. I'm trying to build Chromium OS and run it on QEMU. Meanwhile I came across Linux KVM, Virtualbox and VMWare. So I have basically two questions about virtualization in Linux:
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What are the top popular open source virtualization systems that are used in the industry today? Do I have more choices for example when running another distro on top of my Ubuntu box?
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If someone has experience with virtualization in Linux would you please share some hints when to use what? Which ones are used to set up a cloud?
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Since you are using Ubuntu box, I suggest qemu/kvm for you.You can start with 'virt-manager', which is 'GUI front' of libvirt/qemu/kvm,and looks very similar to 'vBox or VmWare Workstation' on windows.
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It depend.I like virtualbox for the gui,simple but complete and for speed.But i use also kvm-qemu with libvirt,for speed and more option thanvirtualbox.I don't like vmware(workstation) because is commercial,closed source and really heavy i like it only because was one the first commercial company which supportLinux releasing in the 90's vmware workstation and server.For virtualization there's a lot of products under linux,you choose the product which you like.
X86: Vmware,qemu,kvm,bochs(slow but works with older os nice),pc emulator
PPC: PearPc: very slow,claims to emulate old ppc mac-os
Sparc: qemu,slow and with cpu at 100%,emulate old solaris version
Alpha: some commercial emulators,good speed
Itanium: none
There are also a lot of emulator for unmaintained and old platforms,like basilisk,sheepsaver and a lot of other.