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Virtual Machine Management (VergeHV)#

VergeHV is the integrated hypervisor at the heart of VergeOS, providing enterprise-grade virtual machine management through a unified platform that converges compute, storage, and networking. Built on proven KVM technology and designed as a Type-1 hypervisor, VergeHV delivers near bare-metal performance while simplifying infrastructure management through a single, comprehensive interface.

Why Choose VergeHV?#

Whether you're consolidating physical servers, migrating from legacy hypervisors, or building a new virtual infrastructure, VergeHV provides the foundation for modern, scalable virtualization. Unlike traditional solutions that require separate management tools for compute, storage, and networking, VergeHV integrates all these components into a cohesive platform that reduces complexity and operational overhead.

Prerequisites#

Before creating your first virtual machines, ensure your VergeOS environment meets these requirements:

  • System Setup: VergeOS installed with at least two nodes for high availability
  • Storage Configuration: vSAN storage tiers properly configured and available
  • Network Configuration: External and internal networks configured for VM connectivity
  • Media Files: Installation ISOs uploaded to vSAN for guest operating system installation
  • Resource Planning: Adequate CPU, memory, and storage resources allocated for planned workloads

For detailed system requirements, see the VergeOS Installation Guide.

Quick Start Guide#

New to VergeOS VM Management? Follow this recommended path:

1. Create Your First VM (15 minutes)#

Start with a simple virtual machine to get familiar with the interface and verify your environment is ready.

2. Understand VM Configuration (10 minutes)#

Learn about drives, network interfaces, and hardware settings to optimize your virtual machines.

  • What you'll accomplish: Master VM configuration options and performance tuning
  • Next step: VM Configuration Guide

3. Learn VM Best Practices (20 minutes)#

Discover proven strategies for sizing, security, and performance optimization.

  • What you'll accomplish: Apply enterprise-grade practices to your VM deployments
  • Next step: VM Best Practices

4. Explore Migration Strategies and Import Methods (30 minutes)#

Migrate existing workloads from other hypervisors or deploy from templates.

  • What you'll accomplish: Successfully import VMs from VMware, Hyper-V, or other platforms
  • Next step: VM Import Methods

Key Capabilities#

Enterprise-Grade Performance#

  • Type-1 Hypervisor Architecture: VergeHV runs directly on hardware using KVM technology, delivering near bare-metal performance with minimal overhead
  • Resource Optimization: Advanced memory management, CPU scheduling, and I/O optimization ensure maximum efficiency
  • Hardware Acceleration: Support for Intel VT-x/AMD-V virtualization extensions and hardware-assisted features

Comprehensive Security#

  • Network Micro-Segmentation: Isolate workloads using virtual networks with granular access controls
  • Tenant Isolation: Complete separation of resources and networks in multi-tenant environments
  • Secure Migration: Encrypted live migration and secure communication between nodes

Flexible Storage Integration#

  • Distributed vSAN: Integrated software-defined storage with automatic tiering and deduplication
  • Multiple Storage Tiers: Optimize costs by placing workloads on appropriate storage tiers (NVMe, SSD, HDD)
  • Snapshot and Cloning: Instant VM snapshots and space-efficient cloning for backup and testing

Advanced Networking#

  • Software-Defined Networking: Create and manage virtual networks without additional hardware
  • VLAN Integration: Seamless integration with existing network infrastructure
  • Traffic Management: Quality of Service (QoS) controls, rate limiting, and bandwidth prioritization for network optimization

Broad Compatibility#

  • Guest Operating Systems: Extensive support for Windows (Server 2008 R2 - 2022), Linux distributions (RHEL, Ubuntu, CentOS, SUSE), and FreeBSD
  • Virtual Appliances: Native support for KVM-compatible virtual appliances and OVA/OVF formats
  • Legacy Support: Hardware emulation for older operating systems when needed

High Availability & Migration#

  • Live Migration: Move running VMs between nodes without downtime for maintenance or load balancing
  • Automated Failover: Automatic VM restart on alternate nodes during hardware failures
  • Cluster Management: Distribute workloads across multiple nodes for optimal resource utilization

Powerful Automation#

  • Recipe System: Deploy standardized VM configurations using customizable templates
  • API Integration: Complete REST API for infrastructure-as-code and automation workflows
  • Task Engine: Schedule and automate routine operations like backups, migrations, and maintenance
  • Terraform Integration: Infrastructure-as-code support with the official VergeOS Terraform provider for automated provisioning of VMs, networks, and storage resources

Common Use Cases#

Server Consolidation#

Replace multiple physical servers with virtual machines, reducing hardware costs and improving resource utilization. VergeHV's efficient resource management allows for higher consolidation ratios while maintaining performance.

Development and Testing#

Rapidly provision isolated environments for development teams. Use snapshots and clones to create consistent testing environments and quickly roll back changes.

Disaster Recovery#

Leverage VM snapshots, replication, and migration capabilities to build robust disaster recovery solutions. Test recovery procedures without impacting production systems.

Legacy Application Support#

Extend the life of older applications by virtualizing aging physical servers. VergeHV's broad compatibility ensures legacy systems continue running reliably.

Multi-Tenant Hosting#

Provide isolated virtual environments for different customers or departments using VergeOS tenant capabilities with dedicated resources and networks.

Getting Help#

Documentation Resources#

Support#

  • Support - Access professional support and documentation
  • Knowledge Base - Searchable database of solutions and best practices

Essential Getting Started#

VM Configuration#

Import and Migration#

Advanced Operations#

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure#

Backup and Recovery#

Automation#