Administering virtual machines with MLN
Watching the Flock
© Diana Kosaric, Fotolia
This simple command-line tool helps you keep ahead of your virtual infrastructure.
The simplest virtualization scenarios are very easy to manage. In the real world, though, virtualization does not always simplify system administration. In fact, many of the most powerful uses of virtualization result in additional administrative tasks and challenges. For example, large data centers use virtualization to consolidate several servers onto the same physical hardware, thereby minimizing space, cost, and power requirements.
These virtual machines (VMs) can migrate between servers to achieve higher uptimes and flexible load balancing. However, managing such a complex virtual infrastructure is at least as challenging as administering the equivalent number of separate server systems, and it requires very different skills.
Many high-end commercial virtualization products come with sophisticated VM management features. If you are wondering whether the free software community offers an equivalent application, the open source MLN VM administration tool might be just what you need. MLN, which stands for "Manage Large Networks," lets you build sophisticated, dynamic, virtual infrastructures with the use of freely available virtualization platforms. The versatile MLN currently supports the widely used VMware Server [1] and Xen [2] packages, as well as User-Mode Linux [3].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.