As if VMware didn't already have enough problems, Red Hat has gone on the offensive, claiming that its new Qumranet virtualization software outperforms VMware's ESX in a number of key areas, as The Register reports. Specifically, Red Hat claims that its KVM software:
- Runs five virtual machines (VMs) for every three that VMware's ESX can run on the same physical hardware;
- Tops out at 52 VMs on a physical server while ESX can only manage 35, and Citrix gives in at 30.
I haven't seen any independent benchmarks, but if these claims are true than proprietary VMware has a serious problem on its hands. Not only will it be more expensive, but it's also apparently offering less performance. Not a good combination.