Features Comparison of the MU Virtualization Platform and Metacentrum Cloud
Although the target groups of the MetaCentrum Cloud and MU Virtualization Platforms are different, their features overlap in some areas, which can lead to misunderstandings. Therefore, the selected properties of both environments are compared on this page. For most existing requirements and usage scenarios, the OpenStack environment - recommended as the first option - should suit. In case of any ambiguity or interest in the consultation, contact vm@ics.muni.cz.
| Metacentrum Cloud (OpenStack) |
Metacentrum Cloud is a cloud environment built on the OpenStack platform. It has extensive hardware and software support for HPC applications, but its use is not limited to this area and is also suitable for several other application scenarios. |
| Virtualisation Platform (VMware vSphere) |
We offer a virtualization platform based on VMware vSphere technologies to operate virtual servers with high requirements for service availability and data security. Here we place maximum emphasis on the stability of the operating environment. The environment is suitable for the operation of various infrastructure services that are not adapted for operation in a cloud environment. Typically, these are, for example, mail, web hosting, database, authentication, or file servers. |
Examples of Usage
I need several virtual servers with the highest CPU or GPU performance.
In this case, we recommend using the Cloud Metacentrum, which has a large capacity in both the CPU and GPU.
To teach the course XY, at the beginning of each semester, I want to set up several dozen virtual servers, define the networks that connect them and make them available to students of the course.
In this case, we recommend using the Cloud Metacentrum for several reasons:
- Metacentrum Cloud has enough hardware resources to run dozens of virtual servers.
- There are several orchestration tools available for OpenStack that can be used to orchestrate such an environment. The most famous is Terraform or Ansible.
- Thanks to overlay networks, the user can define his network architecture within his project.
The server's hardware on which we run e-mail, the DNS server and our faculty projects' websites cease to function.
We recommend using the Virtualization Platform services, on which we already run several such servers.
Comparison of General Properties
| Metacentrum Cloud (OpenStack) |
Virtualisation Platform (VMware vSphere) |
|
| Stability | ✓ | |
| Power | ✓ | |
| Orchestration | ✓ | |
| Flexibility | ✓ |
Comparison of User Interfaces
Metacentrum Cloud (OpenStack) offers the user much more options for independent configuration and management of their servers and environments (self-service).
| Metacentrum Cloud (OpenStack) |
Virtualisation Platform (VMware vSphere) |
|
| WWW Interface | ✓ | ✓ |
| Program Interface (API) | ✓ | x |
| Control from Command Line | ✓ | x |
| Creation/Abolition of Virtual Server | user | administrator |
| Start/Stop of Virtual Server | user | user |
| Creation/Abolition of Disk Storage | user | administrator |
| Connecting a Disk Storage | user | administrator |
| Creation/Abolition of Network Segment | user | administrator |
| Creation/Abolition of Network Firewall | user | administrator |
| Creation/Abolition of Complex Environment (Stack) | user | x |
Comparison of Availability and Securityof Data
| Metacentrum Cloud (OpenStack) |
Virtualisation Platform (VMware vSphere) |
|
| Snapshots | ✓ | ✓ |
| Replikacations | x | ✓ |
| Backup | x | ✓ |
| High Availability | x | ✓ |
| Fault Tolerance | x | ✓ |
| Geographically Separated Locations | x | ✓ |
Virtualisation Platform (VMware vSphere) Metacentrum Cloud (OpenStack)
It redirects you to the Metacentrum Cloud (OpenStack) web.