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SPECIFICTION
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Linux Virtual Server

linuxvirtualserver.org

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
Visit linuxvirtualserver.org
Spec score 7.5 #6 of 32 in Load Balancing Software

What it is

Linux Virtual Server (LVS) turns a cluster of real Linux servers into one virtual server for users. Its IPVS component performs layer 4 balancing in the Linux kernel, directing TCP and UDP requests sent to a virtual service IP toward servers behind it. Supported forwarding methods are NAT, FULLNAT, tunneling, and direct routing. The project lists web, cache, mail, FTP, media, and VoIP services as applications. Capacity can be changed by adding or removing cluster nodes. Failure detection can identify node or daemon problems and reconfigure the system for availability. Keepalived checks server-pool state at layers 3, 4, and 5 and tells the kernel to remove a failed server. KTCPVS supplies application-level balancing but is under development. LVS is free GPL-licensed software for Linux and self-hosted use. Administration uses ipvsadm, with documentation for configurations, scheduling, high availability, and DoS defense.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Linux Virtual Server builds a scalable, highly available server from a cluster of real servers, presented to users as one virtual server.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
License
The site says its kernel patches and related programs are released under the GNU General Public License.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Administration
The IPVS page directs users to ipvsadm to administer IPVS in the Linux kernel.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Community support
The project lists user and development mailing lists for questions, problem reports, user help, and release notifications.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Forwarding methods
The home page says IPVS supports FULLNAT in addition to NAT, tunneling, and direct routing.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Guides
The documentation page links instructions for NAT, tunneling, and direct-routing configurations, along with scheduling, high-availability, and DoS-defense documents.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Health monitoring
The software page says Keepalived checks server-pool state at layers 3, 4, and 5, and informs the kernel to remove a server when it is down.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
IPv6
The IPVS page says IPv6 support was included in Linux kernel 2.6.28-rc3.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Layer 4 balancing
IPVS performs transport-layer load balancing inside the Linux kernel and directs TCP/UDP service requests to real servers behind a virtual service IP.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Layer 7 component
KTCPVS implements application-level load balancing inside the Linux kernel and is described as under development.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Notable age of downloads
The IPVS page labels version 1.2.1 as the latest stable version for kernel 2.6 and dates it to 2004; its listed ipvsadm 1.26 download is dated 2011.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Project history
The software page says the site was created on 1998-05-28.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Scaling and availability
The introduction says capacity can be scaled by adding or removing cluster nodes, while availability is provided by detecting node or daemon failures and reconfiguring the system.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org
Use cases
The project lists scalable web, cache, mail, FTP, media, and VoIP services as applications.Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org

Plans and prices

Linux Virtual Server Free GPL-licensed software · runs on Linux Read 9 Oct 2026 · linuxvirtualserver.org

Every Linux Virtual Server plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free GPL-licensed software
  • Supports NAT, FULLNAT, tunneling, and direct routing
  • Scales by adding or removing cluster nodes
  • Keepalived monitors layers 3, 4, and 5
  • Documentation and mailing lists are available

Limits

  • Runs on Linux and is self-hosted
  • KTCPVS application balancing is under development
  • Listed kernel 2.6 stable release dates to 2004
  • Listed ipvsadm download dates to 2011

Who it suits

It suits Linux administrators building self-hosted clusters for scalable web, cache, mail, FTP, media, or VoIP services. It is also relevant to teams needing layer 4 routing and an available layer 7 component under development.

Verdict

Linux Virtual Server provides kernel-level load balancing and cluster failover tools for Linux deployments. Its free license, forwarding choices, monitoring, and administration guidance are useful, while the dated download information and developing layer 7 component deserve attention.

Where Specifiction places it

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