# XCP-ng

> Xen based hypervisor

**Wikidata**: [Q110944501](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110944501)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XCP-ng)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/xcp-ng

## Summary
XCP-ng is a Xen-based hypervisor classified as free software and a Linux distribution. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later, allowing users to freely run, study, and modify the software. The project is actively maintained with versions such as 8.2 and 8.3.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** XCP-ng is an instance of a hypervisor, a Linux distribution, and free software.
- **License:** Distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later.
- **Core Technology:** The system is a Xen-based hypervisor.
- **Versions:** Specific documented versions include 8.2 and 8.3.
- **Source Code:** The repository is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/xcp-ng`.
- **Official Website:** The project is located at `https://www.xcp-ng.org`.
- **Community Resources:** Maintains an official forum at `https://xcp-ng.org/forum/` and a blog at `https://xcp-ng.org/blog/`.
- **Social Presence:** An official Mastodon account exists at `xcpng@social.vates.tech` (active since November 18, 2022).
- **Encyclopedia Coverage:** The entity has Wikipedia entries in English and French.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of software is XCP-ng?
A: XCP-ng is a hypervisor based on Xen technology. It is also classified as a Linux distribution and is built entirely as free software.

### Q: Under what license is XCP-ng distributed?
A: XCP-ng is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later. This grants users the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software.

### Q: Where can the source code and official community for XCP-ng be found?
A: The source code is available on GitHub. The project also hosts an official forum and blog on its website, `xcp-ng.org`.

## Why It Matters
XCP-ng matters significantly in the virtualization landscape because it provides a fully open-source, free software alternative to proprietary hypervisors. By combining the robust performance of Xen-based virtualization with the flexibility of a Linux distribution, it offers a transparent solution for infrastructure management. Its licensing under the GNU General Public License (version 2.0 or later) ensures that users retain the legal right to inspect, modify, and redistribute the code, which is critical for security auditing and custom enterprise deployments.

The project solves the problem of vendor lock-in often associated with virtualization platforms. With active versions like 8.2 and 8.3, and a transparent development cycle visible via its GitHub repository, XCP-ng serves as a reliable platform for users who require a hypervisor that is both powerful and compliant with free software principles. Its establishment of dedicated community channels, such as its official forum and Mastodon presence, further solidifies its role as a community-driven tool in the IT infrastructure ecosystem.

## Notable For
- **Xen Architecture:** Distinguished as a hypervisor specifically built on Xen technology.
- **Free Software Commitment:** Fully classified as free software with a GPL license, prioritizing user liberties.
- **Dual Classification:** Unique in being explicitly categorized as both a Linux distribution and a stand-alone hypervisor.
- **Transparent Development:** Maintains a public source code repository and open development logs.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** Offers Wikipedia documentation in both English and French, reflecting a diverse user base.

## Body
### Technical Classification and License
XCP-ng is identified in knowledge bases and academic sources as a **Xen-based hypervisor**. It operates as an instance of **free software**, defined by terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it and its modified versions. The software is further classified as a **Linux distribution**, indicating it is based on the Linux kernel and core components.

The legal framework for the software is the **GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later**. This ensures the software remains free and open-source in perpetuity.

### Versions and Development
The project has released specific versions tracked in public records, notably **version 8.2** and **version 8.3**. Development is centralized around its **source code repository**, hosted on GitHub. The project utilizes a GitLab topic ID (`XCP-ng`) and has an assigned SILL (Société d'Informatique Logicielle et de Libre) software ID of **235**.

### Community and Web Presence
XCP-ng maintains a robust online footprint for user support and news. Its primary domain is `https://www.xcp-ng.org`.
- **Blog:** `https://xcp-ng.org/blog/`
- **Forum:** `https://xcp-ng.org/forum/`

The project engages with the community via social media on the Mastodon network at `xcpng@social.vates.tech`. This presence has been active in the English language since **November 18, 2022**. It is indexed in various software databases, including an AlternativeTo software ID (`xcp-ng`) and a Wineapp DB developer ID (`9030`).