December 20, 2025 23 min to read

Xen Orchestra Complete Guide - XCP-ng Web Management Platform

Comprehensive guide to installing and managing XCP-ng with Xen Orchestra

Overview

XO (Xen Orchestra) is a comprehensive web-based management tool designed to manage XenServer and XCP-ng hypervisor environments. It simplifies critical tasks such as VM management, backup processes, and resource monitoring through an intuitive web interface.

This guide provides a complete walkthrough of Xen Orchestra, from understanding its core components to detailed installation procedures and practical configuration examples.

Understanding XCP-ng and Xen Orchestra

Before diving into Xen Orchestra, it’s essential to understand the underlying virtualization platform and management architecture.

XCP-ng Platform Overview

XCP-ng is an open-source virtualization platform based on XenServer that provides enterprise-grade hypervisor capabilities without licensing restrictions.

Key XCP-ng Features

Xen Orchestra (XO) Management Platform

Xen Orchestra provides a comprehensive web interface for managing XCP-ng and XenServer hosts and pools. Developed by Vates, it’s available in two versions to meet different deployment needs.

XO Version Comparison

Xen Orchestra Core Features

Xen Orchestra provides comprehensive virtualization management capabilities through its web-based interface.

Virtual Machine Management

Lifecycle Operations

• VM Creation and Configuration: Create VMs with custom specifications and templates
• Power Management: Start, stop, restart, and suspend virtual machines
• Live Operations: Live migration, memory adjustment, and CPU modification
• Template Management: Create and manage VM templates for rapid deployment

Advanced VM Features

# VM console access through web interface
# VM performance monitoring and statistics
# Snapshot management and scheduling
# VM cloning and template creation

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Comprehensive Backup Solutions

Backup Configuration Example

// Backup job configuration
{
  "name": "nightly-backup",
  "schedule": "0 2 * * *",
  "type": "vm",
  "retention": 7,
  "compression": true,
  "targets": ["vm-prod-01", "vm-prod-02"]
}

User and Permission Management

Multi-Tenant Access Control

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Granular permission management
• User Groups: Organize users with common access requirements
• Resource Isolation: Limit user access to specific hosts or VMs
• Audit Logging: Track user actions and system changes

Resource Monitoring and Alerting

Real-Time Monitoring

• Performance Metrics: CPU, memory, disk, and network utilization
• Custom Dashboards: Create personalized monitoring views
• Alert Configuration: Set thresholds for resource usage and system events
• Historical Analytics: Long-term performance trend analysis

Update and Patch Management

Automated Maintenance

• Host Updates: Apply security patches and system updates
• Rolling Updates: Update cluster nodes without service interruption
• Update Scheduling: Plan maintenance windows for system updates
• Rollback Capability: Revert updates if issues occur

Installation Methods Overview

Xen Orchestra can be deployed through two primary methods, each suited for different use cases and requirements.

Architecture Components

Architecture Overview:

• XCP-ng serves as the hypervisor layer, running directly on hardware and managing VMs
• Xen Orchestra provides the management layer accessible through web browsers
• Additional tools and plugins can be integrated for enhanced monitoring, cloud integration, or advanced backup configurations

Option 1: XOA (Xen Orchestra Appliance) Installation

For users prioritizing ease of use and commercial support, the Xen Orchestra Appliance is the recommended approach.

XOA Installation Steps

1. Download XOA Image

# Visit Xen Orchestra website and download the appliance image
# https://xen-orchestra.com/#!/member/download
# Download the .xva file for your environment

2. Import XOA Image

# Using XenCenter or XCP-ng Center:
# 1. Open management tool
# 2. Select "Import VM"
# 3. Choose the downloaded XVA file
# 4. Follow import wizard

# Using xe CLI:
xe vm-import filename=xoa-latest.xva

3. Start and Configure XOA VM

# Start the imported VM
xe vm-start vm=<xoa-vm-uuid>

# Access web interface at VM's IP address
# Default credentials: admin@admin.net / admin

4. Initial Configuration

• Network Configuration: Set static IP and DNS settings
• System Updates: Apply latest patches and updates
• License Registration: Register for commercial features
• Backup Configuration: Set up backup repositories

Option 2: Installation from Source (XOAS)

Building Xen Orchestra from source provides complete control and no licensing costs, making it ideal for development and testing environments.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, ensure your system meets the requirements:

Step 1: Install Dependencies

System Update and Basic Packages

# Update system packages
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Install essential packages
sudo apt install -y ca-certificates curl gnupg git ntp build-essential

Node.js Installation

Yarn Installation

Additional Dependencies

# Python and build tools
sudo apt install -y python3-minimal python3-dev

# XO-specific dependencies
sudo apt install -y redis-server libpng-dev libvhdi-utils lvm2 cifs-utils

# Start Redis service
sudo systemctl start redis-server
sudo systemctl enable redis-server

Step 2: Clone and Build Xen Orchestra

Clone Source Repository

# Clone the official repository
git clone -b master https://github.com/vatesfr/xen-orchestra.git
cd xen-orchestra

# Verify repository contents
ls -la
# Expected: packages/ directory and package.json files

Build Process

# Install JavaScript dependencies (this may take 10-15 minutes)
sudo yarn install

# Build the project (this may take 5-10 minutes)
sudo yarn build

# Verify build completion
ls packages/xo-server/dist/
# Expected: Built JavaScript files

Step 3: Configuration Setup

Create Configuration Directory

# Navigate to XO server directory
cd ~/xen-orchestra/packages/xo-server

# Create configuration directory
sudo mkdir -p /etc/xo-server

# Copy sample configuration
sudo cp sample.config.toml /etc/xo-server/config.toml

Configure XO Server

# Edit configuration file
sudo vi /etc/xo-server/config.toml

Key configuration sections:

# HTTP server configuration
[[http.listen]]
# Address binding (use 0.0.0.0 for all interfaces)
hostname = '0.0.0.0'

# Web interface port
port = 8080

# Redis configuration
[redis]
host = 'localhost'
port = 6379

# Authentication configuration
[[authentication.providers.basic]]
# Default admin credentials
identifier = 'admin@admin.net'
password = '$2b$10$...' # Will be generated on first run

Security Configuration

# Set appropriate file permissions
sudo chmod 600 /etc/xo-server/config.toml
sudo chown root:root /etc/xo-server/config.toml

# Configure firewall (if enabled)
sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp

Step 4: Service Configuration

Manual Startup Test

# Test manual startup
cd ~/xen-orchestra/packages/xo-server
sudo yarn start

# Check for successful startup messages
# Expected: "Web server listening on http://0.0.0.0:8080"

Service Installation with Forever

# Install forever for process management
sudo yarn global add forever
sudo yarn global add forever-service

# Navigate to XO server directory
cd ~/xen-orchestra/packages/xo-server/

# Install as system service
sudo forever-service install orchestra -r root -s dist/cli.mjs

# The installation will output service commands:
# Start   - "sudo service orchestra start"
# Stop    - "sudo service orchestra stop"
# Status  - "sudo service orchestra status"
# Restart - "sudo service orchestra restart"

Service Management

# Start the service
sudo service orchestra start

# Check service status
sudo service orchestra status
# Expected: active (running)

# Enable auto-start on boot
sudo systemctl enable orchestra

# Verify port binding
sudo ss -tunelp | grep ':8080'
# Expected: tcp LISTEN 0 511 *:8080 *:*

Step 5: Web Interface Access and Initial Setup

Access Web Interface

# Open web browser and navigate to:
http://[your-server-ip]:8080

# Default login credentials:
# Username: admin@admin.net
# Password: admin

Initial Configuration Wizard

1. Change Default Password

   // Immediately change the default password for security
   // Navigate to Settings > Users > admin user
   

2. Configure Network Settings
   • Verify network connectivity
   • Configure DNS settings if needed
   • Test external connectivity
3. System Updates

   # Update XO to latest version
   cd ~/xen-orchestra
   git pull origin master
   sudo yarn install
   sudo yarn build
   sudo service orchestra restart
   

Step 6: Install XO CLI Tool

CLI Installation

# Install XO CLI globally
sudo npm install --global xo-cli

# Verify installation
xo-cli --version

# Configure CLI connection
xo-cli --register http://localhost:8080 admin@admin.net admin

CLI Usage Examples

# List all VMs
xo-cli list vms

# Get server information
xo-cli list hosts

# Create VM snapshot
xo-cli snapshot vm=<vm-id> name="backup-snapshot"

Adding XCP-ng Servers to Xen Orchestra

Once Xen Orchestra is running, the next step is connecting it to your XCP-ng infrastructure.

Server Connection Process

1. Access Server Management

# In XO web interface:
# 1. Navigate to "Settings" > "Servers"
# 2. Click "Add Server" button
# 3. Fill in connection details

2. Server Configuration Parameters

3. Connection Verification

# After adding server, verify connection:
# 1. Check server status in XO interface
# 2. Verify VM list appears
# 3. Test basic operations (VM start/stop)

Multi-Host Pool Configuration

Pool Setup Process

# For XCP-ng pools:
# 1. Add pool master to XO first
# 2. Other pool members will appear automatically
# 3. Configure pool-wide settings through XO interface

Pool Management Features

• Centralized Management: Control entire pool from single interface
• Load Balancing: Distribute VMs across pool members
• High Availability: Configure VM restart priorities
• Shared Storage: Manage pool-wide storage repositories

Virtual Machine Management through XO

Once XCP-ng servers are connected, you can perform comprehensive VM management operations.

VM Creation and Configuration

Creating New VMs

// VM creation through XO web interface
{
  "template": "Ubuntu 20.04",
  "name": "web-server-01",
  "description": "Production web server",
  "cpus": 4,
  "memory": "8 GB",
  "disk": "100 GB",
  "network": "Pool-wide network associated with eth0"
}

Advanced VM Configuration

# CPU Configuration
- vCPUs: 1-32 (depending on license and hardware)
- CPU weight: Performance prioritization
- CPU mask: NUMA affinity settings

# Memory Configuration  
- Static memory: Fixed allocation
- Dynamic memory: Ballooning support
- Memory weight: Memory priority

# Storage Configuration
- Virtual disk size and type
- Storage repository selection
- Disk performance settings

# Network Configuration
- Virtual network interfaces
- VLAN configuration
- MAC address assignment

VM Operations and Monitoring

Lifecycle Management

# Power operations
Start VM: Boot virtual machine
Stop VM: Graceful shutdown
Force Shutdown: Hard power off
Restart VM: Reboot operation
Suspend VM: Save state to disk

# Advanced operations
Live Migration: Move running VM between hosts
Memory Adjustment: Change RAM allocation without restart
CPU Modification: Adjust vCPU count dynamically

Performance Monitoring

// Real-time monitoring metrics
{
  "cpu": {
    "usage": "45%",
    "cores": 4,
    "ghz": 2.4
  },
  "memory": {
    "used": "6.2 GB",
    "total": "8 GB",
    "utilization": "77%"
  },
  "storage": {
    "read_iops": 150,
    "write_iops": 89,
    "throughput": "45 MB/s"
  },
  "network": {
    "rx_rate": "12 Mbps",
    "tx_rate": "8 Mbps",
    "packets": 1250
  }
}

Backup and Disaster Recovery Configuration

Xen Orchestra provides enterprise-grade backup and disaster recovery capabilities.

Backup Job Configuration

Setting Up Backup Jobs

// Backup job configuration example
{
  "name": "nightly-vm-backup",
  "type": "vm",
  "schedule": "0 2 * * *", // Daily at 2 AM
  "vms": ["vm-web-01", "vm-db-01"],
  "settings": {
    "depth": 7, // Retain 7 backups
    "compression": "gzip",
    "encryption": true,
    "reportWhen": "failure"
  },
  "remotes": ["nfs-backup-01"]
}

Backup Types and Strategies

Remote Storage Configuration

Disaster Recovery Setup

Cross-Site Replication

// DR configuration
{
  "source_pool": "production-site",
  "target_pool": "dr-site", 
  "vms": ["critical-vm-01", "critical-vm-02"],
  "schedule": "*/15 * * * *", // Every 15 minutes
  "settings": {
    "delete_first": false,
    "override": true,
    "compression": true
  }
}

Recovery Testing

# Regular DR testing procedures
1. Schedule test failover windows
2. Document recovery procedures
3. Verify backup integrity
4. Test network connectivity
5. Validate application functionality

Advanced Configuration and Optimization

Optimize Xen Orchestra performance and functionality for production environments.

Performance Tuning

XO Server Optimization

# Increase Node.js memory limit
export NODE_OPTIONS="--max-old-space-size=4096"

# Configure process limits
sudo vi /etc/security/limits.conf
xo-server soft nofile 65536
xo-server hard nofile 65536

# Optimize Redis configuration
sudo vi /etc/redis/redis.conf
maxmemory 2gb
maxmemory-policy allkeys-lru

Database Optimization

# Redis performance tuning
save 900 1
save 300 10
save 60 10000

# Disable Redis disk persistence for better performance (if acceptable)
save ""
appendonly no

Security Hardening

SSL/TLS Configuration

# Configure HTTPS in config.toml
[[http.listen]]
hostname = '0.0.0.0'
port = 443
certificate = '/etc/ssl/certs/xo-server.crt'
key = '/etc/ssl/private/xo-server.key'

[[http.redirectToHttps]]
port = 80

Authentication Integration

# LDAP authentication
[[authentication.providers.ldap]]
uri = 'ldap://domain-controller.example.com'
base = 'DC=example,DC=com'
bind = 'CN=xo-service,OU=Service Accounts,DC=example,DC=com'
password = 'ServiceAccountPassword'

Network Security

# Configure firewall rules
sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 8080
sudo ufw deny 8080

# Set up reverse proxy with nginx
sudo apt install nginx
sudo vi /etc/nginx/sites-available/xen-orchestra

Monitoring and Alerting

Custom Dashboard Configuration

// Custom dashboard widgets
{
  "widgets": [
    {
      "type": "vm_status",
      "title": "VM Status Overview",
      "filter": "production"
    },
    {
      "type": "host_performance", 
      "title": "Host Performance",
      "metrics": ["cpu", "memory", "storage"]
    },
    {
      "type": "backup_status",
      "title": "Backup Job Status",
      "period": "24h"
    }
  ]
}

Alert Configuration

# Email notification setup
SMTP Server: smtp.company.com
Port: 587
Username: alerts@company.com
Password: EmailPassword
From: xo-alerts@company.com
To: admins@company.com

# Alert conditions
- VM down for > 5 minutes
- Host CPU > 90% for > 10 minutes
- Backup job failure
- Disk space < 10% free

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Solutions for frequently encountered problems in Xen Orchestra deployments.

Installation Issues

Node.js Version Conflicts

# Problem: Wrong Node.js version
node -v
# Shows version < 18

# Solution: Update Node.js
sudo apt remove nodejs npm
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

# Verify
node -v
npm -v

Build Failures

# Problem: Build fails with dependency errors
# Solution: Clean and rebuild
rm -rf node_modules
sudo yarn cache clean
sudo yarn install
sudo yarn build

Connection Issues

XCP-ng Server Connection Failures

# Check XCP-ng XAPI service
sudo systemctl status xapi

# Verify network connectivity
telnet xcp-ng-host 443

# Check XCP-ng firewall
iptables -L | grep 443

# Test credentials
xe host-list -s xcp-ng-host -u root -pw password

SSL Certificate Issues

# Problem: SSL certificate errors
# Solution: Add certificate exception or use proper certificates

# For self-signed certificates
openssl s_client -connect xcp-ng-host:443 -showcerts

# Import certificate to trusted store
sudo cp certificate.crt /usr/local/share/ca-certificates/
sudo update-ca-certificates

Performance Issues

Slow Web Interface

# Check XO server logs
tail -f /var/log/xo-server.log

# Monitor system resources
htop
iotop
netstat -an | grep 8080

# Optimize Redis
redis-cli info memory
redis-cli config set maxmemory 2gb

High Memory Usage

# Check Node.js memory usage
ps aux | grep node

# Increase memory limit
export NODE_OPTIONS="--max-old-space-size=8192"

# Restart XO service
sudo service orchestra restart

Key Points

Conclusion

Xen Orchestra provides a powerful, web-based management solution for XCP-ng and XenServer virtualization environments. Whether deployed as a commercial appliance or built from source, XO offers comprehensive features for VM management, backup operations, and infrastructure monitoring.

The XOAS (source-based) installation provides complete control and customization options, making it ideal for development environments and cost-conscious deployments. Meanwhile, the XOA appliance offers enterprise support and simplified maintenance for production environments.

Key Implementation Recommendations

1. Choose the right deployment method based on your support and budget requirements
2. Implement proper security measures including SSL/TLS and authentication integration
3. Configure comprehensive backup strategies with regular testing procedures
4. Monitor performance metrics and optimize for your specific workload requirements

Future Outlook

As XCP-ng continues evolving as a mature open-source virtualization platform, Xen Orchestra’s role becomes increasingly critical for organizations seeking enterprise-grade management capabilities without vendor lock-in. The platform’s active development and community support ensure continued innovation and feature enhancement.

For organizations managing XCP-ng environments, Xen Orchestra provides the essential tools needed for efficient virtualization operations and management.

References

• Xen Orchestra Official Repository
• XCP-ng Official Documentation
• Xen Orchestra Documentation
• Vates Company - XO Commercial Support
• XCP-ng Community Forums
• Node.js Installation Guide
• Linux Console XO Installation Guide