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Compare VMware
XenServer sets a new standard for free virtualization, with powerful features such as live motion, centralized multi-node management, and multi-server resource sharing. While basic hypervisors such as VMware ESXi can be obtained for free, they need costly management add-ons to meet real-world needs.

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“Does XenServer 5 pass the “first impression” test? Yes. It offers speed, flexibility, scalability, ease of use, and a price that will make your accountant grin. XenServer 5 is a success from download to deployment and a win for Citrix and users alike. There’s much to like about XenServer 5 and very little to dislike. An enterprise-level product built by one of the world’s leading technology companies that’s also free—what’s not to love?
–Ken Hess, Linux Magazine |
| Features included at no cost |
Citrix XenServer |
VMware ESXi |
| Bare-metal hypervisor |
64-bit |
32-bit |
| Max virtual CPUs |
8 |
4 |
| Windows® and Linux guests |
X |
X |
| Unlimited servers, VMs, memory |
X |
X |
| P2V & V2V conversion |
X |
X |
| Shared SAN and NAS storage |
X |
X |
| Centralized multi-server management |
X |
|
| Resilient distributed management architecture |
X |
|
| Live motion |
X |
|
| Shared VM template library |
X |
|
| Centralized configuration management |
X |
|
| Virtual infrastructure patch management |
X |
|
| Intelligent initial VM placement |
X |
|
| Intelligent server maintenance mode |
X |
|
| Fine-grained CPU resource controls |
X |
|
| Hot-swappable disks and NICs |
X |
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Get started with XenServer – it's free!! |