Differential software provisioning on virtual machines having different configurations

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for differential software provisioning on virtual machines having different configurations. A provisioning (or "cobbler") server can interact with a local virtual machine installation client to initiate a software provisioning process to diverse sets of virtual machines. The provisioning process can entail, for example, the selection and delivery of an operating system to the diverse sets of virtual machines, as well as the installation of applications or other software. In conjunction with the provisioning process, the koan client can identify the virtual machine configuration or type for the various virtual machine sets, such as those based or hosted on a Xen virtualization type, a VMware virtualization type, or kernel-based virtual machine (KVM) type. The cobbler server can generate differentiated versions of the virtualized installations for the different types of target virtual machines, compatible with the various configurations. The supported virtual types can be extensible.