XCP-ng Center: A Desktop Console That Still Gets the Job Done
While most virtualization tools move everything to the browser, XCP-ng Center takes a different approach — it stays local. It’s a Windows application built specifically for admins who’d rather click through a fast native GUI than rely on a dozen open tabs or cloud panels.
This is the unofficial but widely used graphical interface for managing XCP-ng and legacy XenServer nodes. Originally based on XenCenter, it’s since grown into its own thing — lightweight, stable, and familiar.
No web stack. No learning curve. Just a clean way to handle hosts and VMs from a single desktop app.
Why It Still Has a Place
| Capability | What It Offers in Daily Workflows |
| Local Windows Interface | No browser required — direct access with fast loading |
| Host and Pool Control | Manage multiple hypervisors from one window |
| VM Operations | Start, stop, reboot, migrate — all without CLI |
| ISO Upload | Push install images straight into the host |
| Template Management | Create and deploy VM templates for consistency |
| Live Migration | Move running guests across nodes (with shared storage) |
| Storage Repository Support | Add or edit NFS, iSCSI, or local disks |
| Resource Charts | Monitor memory, CPU, and network usage visually |
| Basic Role Integration | Supports limited user-level access via XAPI |
| Works with XenServer | Compatible with older Citrix-based stacks |
When It’s the Right Tool
XCP-ng Center fits best when the infrastructure is small to mid-sized, and the admin prefers something direct and offline-friendly. Some typical cases:
– Single-node hypervisors running in local offices or test racks
– Admins replacing older XenServer setups without changing habits
– Labs or QA environments where quick VM provisioning matters
– Air-gapped or controlled LANs without external web access
– Teams using XCP-ng but not yet ready to roll out Xen Orchestra
It’s not built for cloud-scale orchestration. But it’s fast, and for a lot of admins — that’s enough.
Quick Start
1. Download the latest build
→ https://github.com/xcp-ng/xenadmin/releases
2. Install on any Windows machine inside the same network
3. Add your XCP-ng host or pool via IP or DNS name
4. Log in using root or a user with XAPI rights
5. Begin managing:
– Upload an ISO
– Build a template
– Spin up VMs or clone existing ones
Field Tips
– ISO uploads are handled faster than copying over SCP
– Live migration needs shared storage (NFS, iSCSI, etc.) set up first
– The app doesn’t cover everything — some advanced features require XO
– Still useful for snapshotting or manual VM tracking on isolated nodes
– No telemetry, no dependencies — it runs on its own
Final Word
XCP-ng Center might look dated. It doesn’t have animations, and the UI isn’t responsive. But it works — fast, offline, and without surprises. In a rack full of headless nodes, having a GUI that just connects and lets you reboot or migrate a VM without fuss? That still counts for a lot.
Sometimes simple beats sleek — and that’s why this tool is still around.
