Oracle VM is free server virtualization software from Oracle that supports Oracle and non-Oracle applications. Oracle VM offers scalable, low-cost server virtualization. Both Linux and Windows guests are supported. (See FAQ.)

Consisting of Xen's open source server software and an integrated Web browser-based management console, Oracle VM provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for creating and managing virtual server pools, running on x86 and x86-64-based systems, across an enterprise.

Users can create and manage Virtual Machines (VMs) that exist on the same physical server but behave like independent physical servers. Each virtual machine created with Oracle VM has its own virtual CPUs, network interfaces, storage and operating system. With Oracle VM, users have an easy-to-use browser-based tool for creating, cloning, sharing, configuring, booting and migrating VMs.

Key Oracle products including Oracle Database, Oracle Fusion Middleware, and Oracle Applications are now officially supported when running in Oracle VM-based environments. Customers who obtain paid support for Oracle VM receive access to patches, fixes, and updates via Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN) and 24x7 global support.

References and Resources

• Podcast with Oracle VM architect Kurt Hackel (recorded at Oracle OpenWorld)
• Documentation
• Official Discussion Forum
• Oracle VM Manager Console RPMS
• Oracle VM Server installation video

Subpages

• Hard partitioning
• Management API (XML-RPC)
• Bridges in Oracle VM

Downloadable Oracle / Xen VM ParaVirtualised guests

• rPath/rBuilder
  
• http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/virtualization/vm_templates_el.html
• http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/virtualization/vm_templates_oracle.html
• 
  

Downloadable Oracle / Xen VM HardwareVirtualised guests

• Oracle VM downloads, templates, and PV kernels and drivers

Hints and HowTos

• How to use the VNC plugin for Firefox on Ubuntu, OTN forum post.
  (The VNC plugin is used to show the Oracle VM console in Oracle VM manager)
• Oracle VM Server use case: multiple networks, multipathed SAN storage: for situations where multiple non-virtualized machines are being consolidated to a set of Oracle VM server systems using highly available centralized storage.
• TO make an ISO from your CD/DVD on Linux (aka your VM Master), insert the media into the CD/DVD drive and use the command: dd if=/dev/hdc of=dvd.iso. This creates an iso image from your corporate Windows or Linux image that you can load into /OVS/iso_image for a bootable image.