TurnKey VE

The vision (or more acurately - my vision) is a TKL VE (Virtual Environment) based on the idea of a "Master Server" somewhat like Proxmox VE. Basically a platform for TKL appliances to 'live' (virtually - ie as VMs) together thus making TKL a complete modular server environment.

This could either be installed virtually or on hardware which then has the various required TKL appliances (server components) installed within 'containers' (using technology such as OpenVZ or similar). This has a dual-edged appeal as it reduces hardware load associated with multiple VMs and also allows for a modular configuration which gives increased stability and the potential for redundancy. It also allows for developement and trialling of new products & ideas before having to commit your business to them. The other great thing is that if you mess something up completely and corrupt your LAMP webserver (for example) it doesn't bring your whole business to a standstill, only the functions that that individual VM was serving. I am currently using Proxmox VE which I find brilliant and basically fulfills the "master server" role on my hardware (as defined above). (I robbed this paragraph from a forum post if it sounds familiar or doesn't quite fit with the rest of this page).

As I see it, it could go one of two ways (and limitless variations of these):

1. Available as 32 or 64 bit - Ideally installed to hardware but also suitable for install within a virtual environement. Probably using only OpenVZ or similar container based virtualisation. Specifically designed to host TKL appliances (although could also host other Ubuntu/Debian based distos quite easily, even other Linux distros with a little tweaking).

2. A more 'generic' VE based more closely on what Proxmox acheives. Possibly x64 only. Aimed ideally at hardware install (although still possible for install in virtual environment), perhaps including KVM (or similar) so other OSs (such as Windows) could also be installed.

My personal preference would be for 1. as I would like to see a product that is specifically targeted at TKL appliances and is clearly different to Proxmox. However I think the option to be able to host alternate OSs via KVM is a bonus (this really only applies to hardware installs).

In the meantime, when I get a chance, I will have a play with Installing Proxmox on top of TKL Core (not sure if it will work as Proxmox is designed for Debian Lenny x64).

I note with interest that Webmin have a number of clustering modules available (have a look on this page) that could be very useful for administering this server configuration.