# Xen at FOSDEM: Real-World Conversations About Xen and KVM

DevFeed: [Xen at FOSDEM: Real-World Conversations About Xen and KVM](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/xen-at-fosdem-real-world-conversations-about-xen-and-kvm-12837.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://xenproject.org/blog/xen-at-fosdem-real-world-conversations-about-xen-and-kvm/>)

Author: Cody Zuschlag

Published: 2026-02-04T14:00:57Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Blog - Xen Project](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/blog-xen-project.md>)

Topics: [virtualization](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/virtualization.md>), [Proxmox](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/proxmox.md>), [Linux](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux.md>), [Hardware](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/hardware.md>), [Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/code.md>)

Tags: [2026](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/2026.md>), [comparison](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/comparison.md>), [fosdem](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fosdem.md>), [hardware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hardware.md>), [kernel](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/kernel.md>), [kvm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/kvm.md>), [linux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux.md>), [proxmox](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/proxmox.md>), [virtualization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/virtualization.md>)

## AI overview

A report from FOSDEM 2026 explains the practical and architectural differences between Xen and KVM, including how Proxmox relates to KVM and why XCP-ng is a fairer comparison for Xen. It contrasts Type 1 and Type 2 hypervisors and describes Xen's direct hardware boot, small hypervisor layer, isolation, performance predictability, and reduced attack surface.

## Source excerpt

We just wrapped up a weekend at FOSDEM 2026 where Xen and XCP-ng both had dedicated booths. This was my first time at FOSDEM and the legend lived up to the hype. It was an insightful weekend full of interesting folks who were genuinely interested in the Xen Project. Everything