What is Xen-AoE?

Xen-AoE is a cluster server architecture which provides more efficient use of cpu, disk, and memory resources than traditional servers while providing zero single points of failure ensuring high availability and greater server maintainability. It does this through the use of server virtualization, utilization of SAN technologies, decoupling of disk from cpu, and taking advantage of commodity hardware such as x86 cpu's and readily available gigabit ethernet infrastructure. Xen-AoE can save your business money by better utilizing hardware resources, simplifying management, and decreasing losses due to downtime.

What is Xen?

Xen is a free (as in freedom) virtualization system similar to KVM, Qemu, or VMware but different. It allows us to run multiple servers/operating systems all inside one physical piece of hardware while providing isolation between them.

What is AoE?

AoE is a SAN technology. Similar to Fibrechannel (but far less expensive) or iSCSI (but far simpler and more efficient). It is an open standard protocol which can turn any ethernet connected network of servers into a SAN.

Putting it together