Harvester

Harvester: Virtualization for People Who’ve Outgrown VMware But Still Need VMs Not every setup is ready for Kubernetes. But also — not everyone wants to stay stuck with legacy hypervisors forever. Harvester sort of lands in the middle. It lets you run virtual machines and containers on bare metal, with built-in storage and networking, and it doesn’t make you beg for licenses or support keys. What’s strange — in a good way — is that it’s Kubernetes under the hood. But you don’t have to care. You

OS: Windows
Size: 23 MB
Version: 1.5.4
🡣: 10,600 downloads

Harvester: Virtualization for People Who’ve Outgrown VMware But Still Need VMs

Not every setup is ready for Kubernetes. But also — not everyone wants to stay stuck with legacy hypervisors forever. Harvester sort of lands in the middle. It lets you run virtual machines and containers on bare metal, with built-in storage and networking, and it doesn’t make you beg for licenses or support keys.

What’s strange — in a good way — is that it’s Kubernetes under the hood. But you don’t have to care. You boot the ISO, click through a few prompts, and suddenly you’ve got a real HCI cluster. From there? VMs, volumes, snapshots, all in the UI. No third-party cloud required.

Why People Are Actually Using It

It installs straight to bare metal — no hypervisor layers

The UI makes sense — VM templates, disk snapshots, ISO uploads

It uses Longhorn for storage — meaning no SAN needed

KubeVirt powers the VMs — but the Kubernetes part is hidden away

It plays nice with Rancher, but doesn’t depend on it

Snapshots and backups are handled cleanly

VLAN-aware networking is there if needed

No subscriptions, no license count — it’s open and free

Good Places to Use It

Offices and datacenters phasing out ESXi or Hyper-V

Edge installs where bandwidth is limited but uptime matters

Dev/test labs that want VMs and persistent containers on the same node

Anyone tired of Proxmox quirks or dealing with expensive appliances

Rancher users looking to integrate VM workloads into existing workflows

Environments where “simple and self-hosted” matters more than “market share”

Setup: You’ll Be Running in Under an Hour

Download ISO from https://harvesterhci.io

Burn it or mount via IPMI — bare metal only

Boot, assign static IP, hostname, and cluster role

Login at https://your-node-ip — no client app required

Start building — VMs, networks, volumes, etc.

What’s Under the Hood

Component Used For
KubeVirt Running VMs on top of Kubernetes
Longhorn Replicated block storage, volume snapshots
Rancher (optional) Managing multiple Harvester clusters
Cloud-init Setting up VMs at boot
Helm Deploying apps and updates
Kubernetes Core orchestration — but mostly invisible to users

Heads-Up Before You Wipe a Server for It

Needs decent hardware — think SSDs, dual NICs, and newer CPUs

No nested virtualization — this has to run directly on hardware

The UI is good, but not perfect — expect some rough edges

Logs live in the Kubernetes layer — troubleshooting is deeper than usual

No Windows-style install wizard — it feels like Linux, because it is

Final Word

Harvester isn’t for everyone. But if you’re stuck between aging hypervisors and overly complicated “cloud-native” tools — this might be your escape route.

It’s open-source. It’s fast to deploy. And it finally gives sysadmins a way to bridge traditional VM workflows with modern container infrastructure, without ripping everything out.

What is Harvester?

Harvester is a cloud-native, open-source solution for virtualization and containerization. It provides a simple and efficient way to manage and deploy virtual machines and containers, making it an ideal choice for DevOps teams and organizations looking to modernize their infrastructure. With Harvester, users can easily create, manage, and scale virtual machines and containers, all from a single, intuitive interface.

Main Features

Harvester offers a range of features that make it an attractive solution for virtualization and containerization, including:

  • Support for multiple hypervisors, including KVM, Xen, and VMware
  • Containerization using Docker, Kubernetes, and other popular container runtimes
  • Simple and intuitive interface for creating, managing, and scaling virtual machines and containers
  • Robust security features, including encryption, access controls, and network policies

Installation Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Environment

Before installing Harvester, you’ll need to prepare your environment. This includes:

  • Ensuring you have a compatible operating system, such as Ubuntu or CentOS
  • Installing any necessary dependencies, such as Docker and Kubernetes
  • Configuring your network settings, including setting up DNS and NTP

Step 2: Download and Install Harvester

Once your environment is prepared, you can download and install Harvester. This can be done using a variety of methods, including:

  • Downloading the Harvester ISO and installing it on a bare-metal server
  • Using a cloud provider, such as AWS or Azure, to deploy Harvester
  • Installing Harvester on an existing virtual machine or container

Technical Specifications

System Requirements

Component Requirement
CPU 2 GHz or faster
Memory 8 GB or more
Storage 50 GB or more

Supported Hypervisors and Containers

Harvester supports a range of hypervisors and containers, including:

  • KVM
  • Xen
  • VMware
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes

Pros and Cons

Pros

Harvester offers a range of benefits, including:

  • Simple and intuitive interface
  • Robust security features
  • Support for multiple hypervisors and containers
  • Scalability and flexibility

Cons

While Harvester is a powerful solution, it may not be the best choice for every organization. Some potential drawbacks include:

  • Steep learning curve for those without experience with virtualization and containerization
  • Limited support for certain hypervisors and containers
  • May require significant resources and infrastructure

FAQ

What is the difference between Harvester and other virtualization and containerization solutions?

Harvester is a cloud-native, open-source solution that offers a range of features and benefits not found in other solutions. Its simple and intuitive interface, robust security features, and support for multiple hypervisors and containers make it an attractive choice for DevOps teams and organizations looking to modernize their infrastructure.

How do I get started with Harvester?

To get started with Harvester, simply download and install the solution, then follow the setup wizard to configure your environment and start creating virtual machines and containers.

What kind of support does Harvester offer?

Harvester offers a range of support options, including documentation, community forums, and commercial support from certified partners.

What is Harvester?

Harvester is a cloud-native solution for virtualization and containerization, designed to simplify the management of your infrastructure. With Harvester, you can easily deploy, manage, and scale your virtual machines and containers, while also ensuring high availability and disaster recovery. In this article, we will explore the key features and benefits of Harvester, as well as provide a step-by-step guide on how to use it.

Key Features

Backup and Restore

Harvester provides a robust backup and restore mechanism, allowing you to easily protect your data and recover from failures. With Harvester, you can create snapshots of your virtual machines and containers, and restore them in case of a disaster.

Rollback and Versioning

Harvester also provides a rollback feature, allowing you to easily revert to a previous version of your virtual machine or container. This feature is particularly useful for testing and development environments, where you may need to frequently roll back to a previous version.

Encryption and Security

Harvester provides enterprise-grade encryption and security features, ensuring that your data is protected from unauthorized access. With Harvester, you can encrypt your data at rest and in transit, and also implement role-based access control.

Installation Guide

Step 1: Download and Install Harvester

To get started with Harvester, you will need to download and install the software. You can download the Harvester installer from the official website, and follow the installation instructions to install it on your server.

Step 2: Configure Harvester

Once you have installed Harvester, you will need to configure it to suit your needs. This includes setting up the backup and restore mechanism, configuring encryption and security, and defining roles and permissions.

Step 3: Deploy Virtual Machines and Containers

With Harvester configured, you can now deploy virtual machines and containers. Harvester provides a user-friendly interface for deploying and managing virtual machines and containers, and also supports automation through APIs and scripts.

Technical Specifications

System Requirements

Harvester can run on a variety of hardware platforms, including x86, ARM, and PowerPC. The minimum system requirements for Harvester include a 64-bit processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 100 GB of storage.

Supported Operating Systems

Harvester supports a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. Harvester also supports a range of virtualization platforms, including VMware, KVM, and Xen.

Pros and Cons

Advantages of Harvester

Harvester provides a range of benefits, including ease of use, high availability, and disaster recovery. Harvester also provides enterprise-grade encryption and security features, ensuring that your data is protected from unauthorized access.

Disadvantages of Harvester

One of the main disadvantages of Harvester is the complexity of the installation and configuration process. Harvester also requires a significant amount of resources, including CPU, RAM, and storage.

FAQ

What is the difference between Harvester and other virtualization platforms?

Harvester is a cloud-native solution that provides a range of features and benefits not found in other virtualization platforms. Harvester provides ease of use, high availability, and disaster recovery, making it an ideal choice for businesses and organizations.

How do I get started with Harvester?

To get started with Harvester, you will need to download and install the software, configure it to suit your needs, and deploy virtual machines and containers. Harvester provides a user-friendly interface and also supports automation through APIs and scripts.

What is Proxmox VE?

Proxmox VE (Virtual Environment) is an open-source platform for virtualization and containerization. It provides a comprehensive solution for managing virtual machines, containers, and storage resources. Proxmox VE is designed to be highly scalable, secure, and easy to use, making it an ideal choice for businesses and organizations of all sizes.

With Proxmox VE, you can create and manage virtual machines, containers, and storage resources from a single web-based interface. The platform supports a wide range of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS, as well as various container formats like Docker and LXC.

Key Features

High Availability and Scalability

Proxmox VE provides high availability and scalability features, including clustering, live migration, and load balancing. This ensures that your virtual machines and containers are always available and can scale to meet the needs of your growing business.

Security and Encryption

Proxmox VE takes security seriously, with features like encryption, firewalls, and access control lists (ACLs). You can also integrate Proxmox VE with external authentication systems like LDAP and Active Directory.

Storage and Backup

Proxmox VE provides a range of storage options, including local storage, NAS, and SAN. The platform also supports various backup and restore options, including snapshots, clones, and backups to external storage devices.

Installation Guide

Step 1: Download and Install Proxmox VE

Download the Proxmox VE ISO file from the official website and create a bootable USB drive. Then, boot your server from the USB drive and follow the installation wizard to install Proxmox VE.

Step 2: Configure Networking and Storage

Configure your network settings, including IP addresses, DNS, and NTP. Then, configure your storage settings, including disk layout and storage devices.

Step 3: Create Virtual Machines and Containers

Create virtual machines and containers using the Proxmox VE web interface. You can choose from a range of operating systems and container formats, and configure resources like CPU, memory, and storage.

Proxmox VE Snapshot and Restore Workflow

Creating Snapshots

Create snapshots of your virtual machines and containers to capture their current state. You can create snapshots manually or schedule them to run automatically.

Restoring Snapshots

Restore snapshots to recover your virtual machines and containers in case of a failure or data loss. You can restore snapshots to the original virtual machine or container, or to a new one.

Proxmox VE vs Alternatives

Comparison with VMware vSphere

Proxmox VE and VMware vSphere are both popular virtualization platforms. While VMware vSphere is a commercial product, Proxmox VE is open-source and free to use. Proxmox VE also provides a more scalable and flexible architecture.

Comparison with OpenStack

Proxmox VE and OpenStack are both open-source platforms for cloud computing and virtualization. While OpenStack provides a more comprehensive set of features, Proxmox VE is easier to use and provides better performance.

FAQ

What is the difference between Proxmox VE and Proxmox Backup Server?

Proxmox VE is a virtualization platform, while Proxmox Backup Server is a backup and restore solution designed specifically for Proxmox VE.

Can I use Proxmox VE with external storage devices?

Yes, Proxmox VE supports various external storage devices, including NAS, SAN, and USB drives.

What is Harvester?

Harvester is a powerful, open-source, and cloud-native virtualization and container management platform. It provides a simple and intuitive way to manage virtual machines, containers, and storage resources. Harvester is designed to be highly scalable, flexible, and secure, making it an ideal solution for organizations of all sizes.

Main Features

Some of the key features of Harvester include:

  • Support for multiple virtualization and container runtimes, including KVM, Docker, and Kubernetes
  • Centralized management of virtual machines, containers, and storage resources
  • Highly scalable and flexible architecture
  • Advanced security features, including encryption and access control

Installation Guide

Prerequisites

Before installing Harvester, you will need to ensure that your environment meets the following prerequisites:

  • A compatible operating system, such as Ubuntu or CentOS
  • A minimum of 4GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores
  • A storage device with at least 50GB of free space

Step-by-Step Installation

To install Harvester, follow these steps:

  1. Download the Harvester installation package from the official website
  2. Extract the package to a directory on your system
  3. Run the installation script, following the prompts to complete the installation

Technical Specifications

System Requirements

Component Minimum Requirement
RAM 4GB
CPU Cores 2
Storage 50GB

Supported Operating Systems

Harvester supports the following operating systems:

  • Ubuntu 20.04 or later
  • CentOS 8 or later

Harvester Snapshot and Restore Workflow

Creating Snapshots

To create a snapshot in Harvester, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to the Harvester web interface
  2. Navigate to the virtual machine or container you want to snapshot
  3. Click the

What is Harvester?

Harvester is a cutting-edge virtualization and container management platform designed to simplify the deployment, management, and scaling of virtual machines and containers. With its robust feature set and user-friendly interface, Harvester provides a comprehensive solution for organizations seeking to optimize their IT infrastructure. In this article, we will delve into the world of Harvester, exploring its key features, installation guide, technical specifications, pros and cons, and frequently asked questions.

Main Features of Harvester

Harvester boasts an impressive array of features that make it an attractive choice for organizations seeking to virtualize and containerize their applications. Some of the key features include:

  • Snapshot and restore workflow: Harvester allows users to create snapshots of their virtual machines and containers, enabling quick recovery in case of failures or data loss.
  • Image management: Harvester provides a centralized image repository, making it easy to manage and deploy images across the organization.
  • Encryption: Harvester supports encryption, ensuring that data is protected both in transit and at rest.

Installation Guide

Installing Harvester is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Step 1: Download Harvester

Download the Harvester installer from the official website. The installer is available in various formats, including ISO, OVA, and Docker images.

Step 2: Prepare the Environment

Ensure that your environment meets the minimum system requirements for Harvester. This includes a 64-bit CPU, at least 8 GB of RAM, and 100 GB of free disk space.

Step 3: Install Harvester

Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation. The installation process typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the system configuration.

Technical Specifications

Harvester is built on top of a robust architecture that ensures high performance, scalability, and reliability. Here are some key technical specifications:

Component Specification
CPU 64-bit, 2 GHz or higher
RAM 8 GB or higher
Disk Space 100 GB or higher

Pros and Cons

Like any technology, Harvester has its pros and cons. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

Harvester offers several benefits, including:

  • Easy to use: Harvester has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to deploy and manage virtual machines and containers.
  • High performance: Harvester is built on top of a robust architecture that ensures high performance and scalability.
  • Secure: Harvester supports encryption, ensuring that data is protected both in transit and at rest.

Cons

Some of the drawbacks of Harvester include:

  • Steep learning curve: While Harvester is easy to use, it does require some technical expertise to fully utilize its features.
  • Resource-intensive: Harvester requires significant system resources, which can be a challenge for organizations with limited resources.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Harvester:

What is the difference between Harvester and other virtualization platforms?

Harvester is designed to provide a comprehensive solution for virtualization and containerization, offering features such as snapshot and restore workflow, image management, and encryption.

Is Harvester compatible with my existing infrastructure?

Harvester is designed to be compatible with a wide range of infrastructure, including VMware, KVM, and Docker.

How do I get started with Harvester?

Getting started with Harvester is easy. Simply download the installer, prepare your environment, and follow the installation guide.

Conclusion

Harvester is a powerful virtualization and container management platform that offers a comprehensive solution for organizations seeking to optimize their IT infrastructure. With its robust feature set, user-friendly interface, and high performance, Harvester is an attractive choice for organizations of all sizes. Whether you’re looking to deploy virtual machines, containers, or a combination of both, Harvester has the features and functionality to meet your needs.

Harvester: Streamlining Backup Operations with Ease

Managing backups can be a daunting task, especially for organizations dealing with large amounts of data. Harvester is a powerful tool designed to simplify the backup process, providing a structured approach to data protection. In this article, we will delve into the world of Harvester, exploring its features, benefits, and how to use it for offsite backups.

Understanding the Harvester Backup Strategy

Harvester’s backup strategy revolves around repeatable jobs, retention rules, and encrypted repositories. This approach ensures that backups are consistent, secure, and easy to manage. With Harvester, users can create customized backup jobs that cater to their specific needs, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly backups.

One of the standout features of Harvester is its ability to handle both local and offsite backups. This means that users can store their backups in multiple locations, ensuring that their data is always available in case of an emergency. Harvester’s offsite backup capabilities make it an ideal solution for organizations looking to implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy.

How to Use Harvester for Offsite Backups

To use Harvester for offsite backups, follow these steps:

  • Install Harvester on your local machine or server
  • Create a new backup job and select the data you want to backup
  • Choose the offsite backup destination, such as a cloud storage service or a remote server
  • Configure the retention rules and encryption settings
  • Run the backup job and verify its completion

Harvester also provides a range of reporting and monitoring tools, allowing users to track the status of their backups and identify potential issues. The software’s intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate and manage backups, even for users without extensive technical expertise.

Harvester интеграции

Harvester vs. Other Backup Solutions

So how does Harvester compare to other backup solutions on the market? Here’s a comparison table highlighting some of the key features and benefits:

Feature Harvester Competitor A Competitor B
Offsite backup capabilities Yes Yes No
Encryption AES-256 AES-128 No encryption
Retention rules Customizable Limited options No retention rules

As you can see, Harvester offers a range of features that set it apart from other backup solutions. Its offsite backup capabilities, encryption, and customizable retention rules make it an ideal choice for organizations looking for a robust and reliable backup solution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Harvester is a powerful tool that simplifies the backup process, providing a structured approach to data protection. Its offsite backup capabilities, encryption, and customizable retention rules make it an ideal solution for organizations looking to implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy. With Harvester, users can rest assured that their data is always available and secure.

Harvester Features Benefits
Repeatable jobs Consistent backups
Retention rules Customizable backup strategy
Encryption Secure backups

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