Linux-KVM, QEMU, Virtualbox, VMWare

http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/203509/linux-kvm-qemu-virtualbox-vmware

I'm new to Linux. I'm trying to build Chromium OS and run it on QEMU. Meanwhile I came across Linux KVM, Virtualbox and VMWare. So I have basically two questions about virtualization in Linux:

1. What are the top popular open source virtualization systems that are used in the industry today? Do I have more choices for example when running another distro on top of my Ubuntu box?

2. If someone has experience with virtualization in Linux would you please share some hints when to use what? Which ones are used to set up a cloud?

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Since you are using Ubuntu box, I suggest qemu/kvm for you.You can start with 'virt-manager', which is 'GUI front' of libvirt/qemu/kvm,and looks very similar to 'vBox or VmWare Workstation' on windows.

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It depend.I like virtualbox for the gui,simple but complete and for speed.But i use also kvm-qemu with libvirt,for speed and more option thanvirtualbox.I don't like vmware(workstation) because is commercial,closed source and really heavy i like it only because was one the first commercial company which supportLinux releasing in the 90's vmware workstation and server.For virtualization there's a lot of products under linux,you choose the product which you like.

X86: Vmware,qemu,kvm,bochs(slow but works with older os nice),pc emulator
PPC: PearPc: very slow,claims to emulate old ppc mac-os
Sparc: qemu,slow and with cpu at 100%,emulate old solaris version
Alpha: some commercial emulators,good speed
Itanium: none

There are also a lot of emulator for unmaintained and old platforms,like basilisk,sheepsaver and a lot of other.