LXC (LinuX Containers) and OpenVZ (Open Virtuozzo) are both OS-level virtualization technologies. They both allow for multiple isolated Linux containers to run on a single host, sharing the same OS kernel.
However, there are some key differences:
1. Implementation and Management:
OpenVZ is more of a complete system with its own modified Linux kernel, specialized file system, utilities and management tools. OpenVZ can be more complex to set up and manage compared with LXC. LXC, on the other hand, is bundled with the Linux kernel and uses standard tools like systemd and apt-get.
1. Performance:
Both LXC and OpenVZ provide near-native performance, but OpenVZ may have a slight edge because of its specialized kernel and file system.
1. Portability and compatibility:
LXC is more portable and compatible with a wider range of systems since it uses the standard Linux kernel and doesn’t require any specific tools.
1. Flexibility:
LXC is more flexible than OpenVZ in terms of configuration and customization. It allows more fine-grained control over the container’s environment.
1. Security:
OpenVZ provides better isolation and security features by default. LXC’s security relies heavily on the features provided by the Linux kernel, and additional hardening can be required.
It is important to note that the ideal choice depends on one’s specific needs, resources and technical capabilities.
