With the recent changes in the VMware environment, many users and developers have started looking for alternatives to ESXi, especially after the announcement that it will no longer be free. In this scenario, LXD emerges as a powerful open source solution for those in need of a flexible hypervisor without the restrictions of proprietary licenses.
Goodbye to Free ESXi, Hello LXD
VMware ESXi has been a preferred choice for developers and system administrators for years when it comes to creating and managing virtual machines. However, the free version of this platform was limited to a small number of cores, and many of its advanced features, such as live migration and high availability, required a paid license. This has led many users to consider alternatives like LXD, an open source virtualization platform that is not only completely free but also allows users to have full control over their data and configurations.
LXD: A Modern and Secure Alternative
LXD started as a container-focused platform, but since its LTS 4.0 version released in April 2020, it also natively supports virtual machines. This evolution has positioned LXD as a modern and robust alternative to hypervisors like ESXi, offering advanced features and a user-friendly experience through a web interface and a powerful CLI.
Unlike other virtualization tools, LXD places a special emphasis on security, using a modern design that includes UEFI and SecureBoot by default, in addition to VirtIO-based devices. All of this allows for efficient and secure virtualization without the need to emulate complex devices at the host level.
Key Features of LXD
LXD stands out not only for being free and open source but also for offering a range of features that put it on par with other paid hypervisors, including:
- Live migration of virtual machines: Users can move virtual machines between different hosts with little to no downtime.
- Clustering and high availability: LXD offers high availability options through clustering with Ceph and OVN, ensuring redundancy in storage and networks.
- Compatibility with various storage types: From ZFS and Btrfs to LVM and Ceph, LXD allows for managing different storage options according to the user’s needs.
- Advanced network management: It provides support for bridged networks, SR-IOV, Macvlan, and more, offering total flexibility in managing internal and external networks.
- Hardware passthrough: LXD allows passing devices like GPU, USB, and others directly to virtual machines, facilitating the management of workloads that require direct hardware access.
- Intuitive web interface: While LXD can be managed through CLI, the inclusion of a web interface makes it easier to deploy and manage workloads for those who prefer a graphical environment.
Why Choose LXD over ESXi?
Unlike ESXi, which is no longer free, LXD remains a completely open source solution, meaning there are no restrictions for its full use. Users can opt for enterprise support through Ubuntu Pro, but the full functionality of LXD is available at no cost. Additionally, the flexibility and adaptability of LXD make it an ideal choice for those seeking a modern virtualization solution without the limitations imposed by proprietary licenses.
Easy Installation Process
Installing and configuring LXD is simple and only requires a few steps. On Ubuntu systems, just run the following commands:
- Install LXD:
snap install lxd
- Configure LXD using the command:
lxd init
After completing the setup, users can access the web interface by simply entering the server’s address in their browser.
Migration from ESXi to LXD
For those who already have workloads on ESXi, LXD offers migration tools like lxd-migrate, which allows for creating LXD instances from existing disks or images. This way, users can keep their current virtual machines while migrating to an open source platform.
Conclusion
LXD has proven to be a robust and secure alternative to ESXi, providing full control over virtual environments without the limitations of a paid license. Its ease of use, along with advanced features like live migration, clustering, and an intuitive web interface, make it an ideal choice for those seeking a modern virtualization solution.
With the increasing demand for open and scalable platforms, LXD emerges as a key tool for system administrators and developers looking for flexibility, security, and high performance in their virtualization environments.
More information at Ubuntu LXD