Download and install XCP-ng
XCP-ng is a specialized Linux distribution: it installs on a dedicated bare-metal server, like any operating system, from a bootable ISO. The current stable branch is XCP-ng 8.3 LTS.
Check the requirements
Before you start, make sure your server meets the basics:
- A 64-bit x86 machine dedicated to hosting VMs, with Intel VT or AMD-V enabled in the BIOS/UEFI to run HVM guests (Windows, recent Linux).
- 2 GB of RAM minimum (4 GB or more recommended).
- 46 GB of local disk minimum (70 GB or more recommended). Avoid USB drives and SD cards as system disks.
- At least a 100 Mbit/s NIC; Gb or 10 Gb NICs recommended.
See the full requirements page for details, and check your server against the hardware compatibility list. Hardware not in the list often works too: see the hardware support page.
Download the ISO
Get the installer from the XCP-ng website, where SHA256 checksums, GPG signatures and a lightweight netinstall ISO are also available. Write it to a USB key (1 GB or larger) with dd, or Rufus on Windows.
Run the installer
Boot the server on the USB media and follow the guided installer. In short, you will:
- Select the system disk (partitioning is automatic; software RAID is available with two identical disks).
- Choose the disk for VM storage (the Storage Repository). EXT is advised to benefit from thin provisioning.
- Set the root password, used for SSH and XAPI access.
- Configure networking (DHCP or static, with optional VLAN), hostname and DNS.
- Set the timezone and an NTP server. Always use NTP: it is critical for host management.
After the final reboot, your host is ready. Alternative methods (netinstall, PXE boot, fully automated install) are also supported.
Full step-by-step guide with screenshots: Install XCP-ng.
Next step: deploy Xen Orchestra to manage your new host.