To Achieve a performance comparable to a baremetal/Type1 Hypervisor.
I was always searching for an extreme light weight OS to host VirtualBox in a Desktop environment. Obviously linux will be our default choice, as Windows OS tends to be blotted and heavy on resources. Even finding a linux distribution seems to be a challenge, as there are a huge number of distros out there from which we can choose.
Our criteria for the selection of a host OS is as follows:
1. Should have a very minimal foot print (Both on RAM and HDD)
2. Should boot pretty quick (Preferably < 10 Seconds)
3. Shutdown should be faster (Preferably < 5 Seconds)
4. Should use very minimal memory/processor, So that they can be actually used by the Guest operating systems
5. Should have a very light window manager.
(Window manager is necessary as we are using a single desktop, and we should be able to manage and run virtual machines from a GUI console like VirtualBox manager on the same desktop)
I’ve tried Lubuntu, which boots in 10 Seconds and minimal on resources. On startup it seems to be taking 175MB of RAM. Pretty descent right? But not enough. I’ve searched for a very minimal linux distro for this purpose.
Puppy Linux is well known for its lightness and speed. It seems to outperforms most of the other distros. The good thing is that Puppy Linux having a window manager and GUI. So I’ve researched a bit on this distribution. As my major aim is setting up a host OS for VirtualBox, it should be able to leverage Intel-VT and AMD-V processor extensions, So that 64-bit Guests are supported and Guest OS can run with the maximum performance. Also the host OS should run and load faster. It should be able to address more RAM (>4GB).
So we may not be able to use a 32-bit Puppy Linux, We should need a 64-bit Puppy. Puppy Linux was made a long time ago, with 32-bit system in mind and with low configurations. Until recently I was unaware of the fact that, there was a 64-bit version of Puppy Linux to leverage modern computers with high configurations and still not compromised on speed and low on resources. They kept the same spirit of 32-bit Puppy.
Yes we are talking about FatDog64, the 64-bit version of Puppy Linux!
On a True Full HDD installation, it booted to Desktop in less than 6 Seconds!
On startup it is taking up < 100 MB of RAM!
And the speed is awesome!, Even Lubuntu cant beat its boot speed, performance and light on resources.
I’ve selected the most recent version of FatDog64 (Version 631). But it does not support a full HDD installation officially. It was only designed for a Frugal Install.
But we can make FatDog64-631 for a full HDD install, So that we can get the very minimal and speedy OS that we ever dreamed.
Read my next blog on how to perform a full HDD installation of FatDog64-631 here
FatDog64-631 booted to desktop: Image
This is awesome...i wanna try this out
ReplyDeleteGreat, thanks for sharing your experience, it is useful a loooot for me, I was looking for exactly this.
ReplyDeleteThere's a great deal of more useful websites for somebody who wants a personal website on VPS Malaysia | Proven and Tested Hosting Services | Why Us.
ReplyDeleteBlogging, when done effectively, is a fantastic way to reach a sizable, niche audience, within a brief period. Source for more about DMP 2002.
ReplyDeleteMobile-friendly sites aren't only a good to have anymore. Show that honest and trustworthy men and women stand behind your website Including bios and data about the individuals who stand behind your site puts real men and women, and real accountability behind your organization.
ReplyDeleteThe organization operates in many cities. In a competitive marketplace, it's essential to know just what your clients think. If you are curious to know more about marketing solutions, click here.
ReplyDeleteWhen it has to do with finding agents, you have to be certain that the professional you're planning to work with has got the appropriate expertise. If you are curious to know more about real estate websites, visit here.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time, the technology used can be compared to the enterprise software. Website Builders are service companies that help you to create your own unique website. If you want to get more interesting details about website builders, check here.
ReplyDeleteThere are websites that allow you to find out about the success stories of different companies. You can check here for success stories of companies before finalizing a contract with them.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe second problem is security. There is no ASP or JSP code on a Java based server. This means that there is no SSL Certificate or authentication required. Want to know more about minecraft hosting? find out here.
ReplyDeleteSo if you are going to spend your money on a Jolt web host, you need to make sure you are going to get the best hosting service that is available in your area.
ReplyDeleteThe following guide will provide a quick overview of some of the most important things that you need to take into consideration when choosing a web design agency.
ReplyDeleteYou will be able to design a site that will not only look good but will also be easy to use. You will also want to talk to someone that is working for the company, so that you know that they are doing a good job. To know more about web designing, visit this site.
ReplyDeleteThe world of marketing is a highly competitive place. For businesses that want to succeed in this industry, they must be constantly on their toes to see what's happening in the world of marketing. You are curious to know more about web design in san diego, head over to the website.
ReplyDeleteBranding focuses on the core messaging of a company or product. A well-developed brand will have a recognizable personality and a tenable position in the marketplace. For more information on online marketing check here.
ReplyDelete