VMware edges out Microsoft in virtualization performance test

Hyper-V's bright spot is a set of drivers that help it support Linux VMs

With the recent release of Microsoft's Hyper-V shaking up the hypervisor market, we decided to conduct a two-part evaluation pitting virtualization vendors against each other on performance as well as on features such as usability, management and migration.

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Overall

VMware's initial lead in the marketplace has given it a performance lead in most of the areas that we tested, although Microsoft's prowess is beginning to show in a core area - consolidation of single-CPU focused VM performance. Both vendors are likely to improve their performance numbers rapidly, as it's a source of strong competition between them. Biting at their heels are offerings from Citrix, Sun and Red Hat, as well as open source developments that are reaching commercial potential. VM performance is certainly an area to keep an eye on.

Henderson and Allen are researchers for ExtremeLabs. They can be reached at thenderson@extremelabs.com.

Henderson is also a member of the Network World Lab Alliance, a cooperative of the premier reviewers in the network industry each bringing to bear years of practical experience on every review. For more Lab Alliance information, including what it takes to become a member, go to www.networkworld.com/alliance.

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