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.
- What you'll accomplish: Deploy a working VM with basic configuration
- Next step: Creating Your First VM
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#
- Guest OS Compatibility - Supported operating systems and configurations
- VM Field Descriptions - Complete reference for VM configuration options
Support#
- Support - Access professional support and documentation
- Knowledge Base - Searchable database of solutions and best practices
Related Documentation#
Essential Getting Started#
- VM Best Practices - Configuration guidelines and recommendations (20 minutes)
- Creating VMs - Step-by-step VM creation guide (15 minutes)
- Uploading Media Images - Upload ISOs and installation media (10 minutes)
VM Configuration#
- Virtual Machine Drives - Storage configuration and management
- Virtual Machine Network Interfaces - Network connectivity setup
- VM Field Descriptions - Complete configuration reference
- Guest Agent - Enhanced VM integration and management
Import and Migration#
- Import Methods Overview - Choose the right import method for your needs
- Import from VMware - VMware migration guide
- Import from Media Images - Create VMs from disk images
- Import from NAS - Import from network storage
Advanced Operations#
- Live Migrations - Zero-downtime VM movement
- Manual VM Migrations - Planned migration procedures
- Working with VMs - Day-to-day VM management
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure#
- VDI Overview - Native VDI capabilities
- VDI Administration - Admin guide for VDI deployments
- Remote Console Access - VM console connectivity
Backup and Recovery#
- VM Snapshots and Restores - Backup and recovery strategies
Automation#
- Recipes Overview - Automated VM deployment templates
- Task Engine - Scheduled automation and workflows
- VergeOS API Guide - Programmatic infrastructure management