Year: 2004

IBM releases a new redbook: “Implementing VMware ESX Server 2.1 with IBM TotalStorage FAStT”

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Abstract:

This Redbook is a compilation of recommendations for planning, designing, implementing, and maintaining FAStT storage solutions and, more specifically, in a VMware ESX Server based host environment..

Setting up a FAStT Storage Server can be a complex task. There is no single configuration that will be satisfactory for every application or situation. Part one provides the conceptual framework for understanding FAStT in a Storage Area Network and includes recommendations, hints, and tips for the physical installation, cabling, and zoning. Although no performance figures are included, we discuss the performance and tuning of various components and features to guide you when working with FAStT.

The second part of the book is dedicated to the VMware ESX 2.1 Server environment deployed on either IBM Eserver xSeries or BladeCenter equipment. It provides substantial information for different configurations and attachment to FAStT.

Table of Contents:

Part 1 – FAStT introduction, planning, configuration and maintenance
Chapter 1. Introduction to FAStT and SAN
Chapter 2. FAStT planning tasks
Chapter 3. FAStT configuration tasks
Chapter 4. FAStT maintenance tasks

Part 2 – VMware ESX Server and FAStT
Chapter 5. Introduction to VMware
Chapter 6. VMware ESX Server terminology, features, limitations and tips
Chapter 7. VMware ESX Server storage configurations
Chapter 8. Installing VMware ESX Server
Chapter 9. Redundancy by configuration

Download link.

A new VMware product is in development

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Quoting from Virtual Strategy Magazine:

A VMware Managed Desktop product is in development and is scheduled to be released end of this year or early in 2005. A beta program is available now for users who want to test this.

VMware Managed Desktop provides the following features:

-) Virtual Rights Management – Centralized Management and Local Enforcement: Administrators can centrally configure policies that enforce IT processes such as access control, patch compliance, configurations. These policies are then enforced on end-user PCs whether they are local or remote, connected or disconnected.

-) Data Confidentiality: Data and configuration information stored in a virtual machine can be encrypted to maintain data confidentiality and comply with Personal Identification Information (PII) regulation.

-) Streamlined Deployment: Administrators can streamline deployment by packaging the virtual machine, the interface required to run the virtual machine and the policies along with an installer so end users can get started easily.

I hope to provide more news about this in the next days.

Release: VMware VirtualCenter 1.1.1 released!

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VMware just released a maintanaince update of VirtualCenter. Here the resolved issues of this build:

-) Cancelling an upgrade causes only partial the VirtualCenter database conversion
Upgrading from VirtualCenter version 1.0.1 to version 1.1 may take an unusually long time if you have a large database. Canceling the installation in the middle of an upgrade might result in an inconsistent database state that cannot be used with either VirtualCenter 1.0.x or 1.1. VirtualCenter 1.1.1 substantially reduces the time required to upgrade the database and allows your to cancel and resume an upgrade at any point during the installation process without impacting database consistency. VMware continues to recommend that you back up your VirtualCenter database prior to any product upgrade.

-) VMotion fails when creating a new unique identifier (UUID)
Customers attempting to VMotion virtual machines between IBM x445 servers running ESX Server 2.1.0 might encounter an error when VirtualCenter prompts the user to generate a new UUID or keep the existing UUID at the destination host. Since prompted question cannot be answered during VMotion, the VMotion fails.

-) Cannot create a second SCSI controller through VirtualCenter
When adding a second SCSI disk, if you selected 1:0 as the ID, the choice reset to 0:2 and did not create the second virtual SCSI controller.

-) The virtual machine hard disk Properties dialog is blank
VirtualCenter Administrators were not able to edit the properties of virtual machines. The Properties dialog display was blank. This may have occurred after changing the memory allocation of the virtual machine. The range of memory supported is 4 MB to 3600 MB and is no longer limited to the physical memory of the host where the virtual machine resides.

-) Reducing Performance intervals may cause VirtualCenter server failure
When you select File > VMware VirtualCenter Settings > Performance tab, you can modify, create or remove interval types. For example, a default interval type of “Past Day” consists of 288 samples at 5 minutes per sample. If you removed an interval and then later added an interval with the same number of units per sample but specified a fewer number of samples, VirtualCenter might have failed. For example, if you removed the default interval “Past Day” and added “Past 6 Hours” with 72 samples at 5 minutes per sample. This example uses the same interval of 5 minutes, but reduced the number of samples from 288 to 72.

For more information refer to support page here.

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 is Released To Manifacturing (RTM)

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Quoting from ENT News:

Virtual Server 2005 is released to manufacturing, a Microsoft spokesperson said Thursday. RTM marks the final development milestone in the server virtualization software’s odyssey from a third-party beta version to an official Microsoft product.
RTM means Microsoft developers are finished writing and testing the code, and that the final build had gone to be packaged and posted or shipped. The precise delivery date is not public, although general availability usually follows RTM by less than two months. “Virtual Server 2005 is still on track to be available broadly to customers this year,” the spokesperson said. “We will provide additional information about the product in the near future.”

Microsoft acquired a beta version of Virtual Server in February 2003 with the acquisition of the assets of Connectix. Microsoft flipped two shipping Connectix desktop products, one for PCs and one for Macs, with Microsoft branding in 2003. The company also originally hoped to get Virtual Server finished and shipped late last year.

While that didn’t work out, the product still did better than its peers. Virtual Server was originally grouped with Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems as three products aimed at a fourth quarter of 2003 ship date. Last week, Microsoft disclosed that Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems won’t be ready until the first half of 2005.

Virtual Server allows several operating systems to coexist on a server, with each behaving as if it had exclusive access to the underlying hardware. The virtualization software manages the hardware resources and prevents conflicts. Microsoft hopes customers will use the software for testing and development, to migrate Windows NT 4.0 applications onto Windows Server 2003/Virtual Server 2005-hosted systems and for server consolidation.

Virtual Server 2005 will be available in a standard edition that supports up to four processors and an enterprise edition supporting up to 32 processors. Although Microsoft frequently discusses pricing at RTM, the company was not immediately ready to disclose its price plans. Bob Muglia, senior vice president for Microsoft’s Windows Server Division, has promised that Virtual Server will be the lowest cost way of virtualizing servers in the industry.

AMD announces support for enterprise server virtualization

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Quoting from Le Revenue:

AMD today announced that VMware ESX Server, virtual infrastructure software that enables enterprises to partition,consolidate and manage systems in mission-critical environments, is qualified on AMD Opteron processor-based platforms from HP and IBM. VMware, Inc.’s qualification of the four-way HP ProLiant DL585 andIBM e325 for VMware ESX Server underscores the extent to which the AMDOpteron processor, the world’s first x86 processor for both 32-bit and64-bit computing, is well suited to the demands of server virtualization.

The AMD Opteron processor with Direct ConnectArchitecture features an integrated memory controller and HyperTransport technology, enabling more efficient memory and I/O access, which are critical to memory-intensive virtualization. “Enterprises are increasingly looking to the AMD Opteron processor, as the only processor that delivers simultaneous 32- and 64-bit x86 computing in multi-processor server platforms, to meet their server virtualization needs,” said Marty Seyer, vice presidentand general manager of the Microprocessor Business Unit, ComputationProducts Group, AMD.
“Additionally, feature enhancements planned forour future dual-core and single-core processor products will furtherenable the availability of 64-bit virtualization software and help provide the infrastructure needed for virtualization vendors to offer mainframe-quality virtualization to the x86 market.” Server virtualization generates improved return on IT investments and helps reduce the total cost of computing infrastructures ownershipby delivering resource consolidation, improved availability andinfrastructure flexibility.

According to research firm Gartner,”Strategically, enterprises that leverage virtualization technologieswill be able to react to changing requirements more rapidly by using server resources as a pool of resources. Enterprises should pursue long-term relationships with vendors that have solid virtualizationplans either directly or through partnerships.”

VMware recently announced its 64-bit roadmap in which support forconcurrent 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines on 64-bit architectures,including AMD64, will be introduced across the VMware product line.Today support for AMD64 is available on an experimental basis in VMware GSX Server and VMware Workstation, with support for both RedHat Enterprise Linux 3 and SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 64-bit host operating systems as well as for Windows Server 2003 (Beta) for 64-bit extended systems.

“AMD64 technology allows enterprises to leverage existing IT investments while simultaneously positioning them to respond faster tochanging business demands,” said Michael Mullany, vice president ofmarketing, VMware. “We are committed to providing our customers withthe support they need to maximize their technology investments, including support for technology like the AMD Opteron processor. The qualification of ESX Server on the AMD Opteron processor-based HP ProLiant DL585 and IBM e325 serversprovides users with performance-based platforms that support our 32-bit products today with the ability to migrate to our 64-bitproducts as they become available.”

VMware ESX Server continues to garner industry accolades

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Quoting from Yahoo Finance:

VMware, Inc., the global leader in virtual infrastructure software for industry-standard systems, today announced that VMware ESX Server won the IDG Network Enterprise Product of the Year and the Microsoft Tech Ed Europe Best of Show awards, marking the second year in a row top honors have been bestowed upon ESX Server. Last year, VMware ESX Server won the CNET Networks Enterprise Product of the Year and the PC Magazine Technical Excellence awards.
The IDG Network judges evaluated products based on their innovative and effective use of networking technology. The Microsoft Tech Ed Europe Best of Show judges evaluated products based on their strategic importance in the market, competitive advantage and value to the customer. The field included more than 70 entries.

“VMware ESX Server provides a virtual server environment allowing IT professionals to host multiple live operating systems on one device,” said Graham Parker, Chairman of Vbug User Group and Microsoft Tech Ed Best of Show judge. “This product does not require a host operating system, and interacts directly with the hardware to provide multiple virtual machine environments. It supports nearly all operating systems and allows IT professionals to transfer environments from one machine to another using VMotion with no down- time.”

VMware ESX Server is virtual infrastructure software for partitioning, consolidating and managing systems in mission-critical environments. Adopted by thousands of IT organizations worldwide, VMware ESX Server has saved hundreds of millions of dollars in costs through providing server consolidation, provisioning, image/hardware independence, high availability and disaster recovery. ESX Server provides a highly scalable virtual machine platform with advanced resource management capabilities, which can be managed by VMware VirtualCenter.

VMware VirtualCenter is virtual infrastructure management software, providing a central point of control for virtual computing resources. Using VMotion technology in VirtualCenter, enterprises are able to respond to changing business demands in real-time and move virtual machines from one physical server to another with continuous service availability. The VMware Virtual Infrastructure SDK provides standards-based interfaces that enable ISVs, partners and customers to control VMware virtual infrastructure and to integrate into existing management frameworks.

“We are flattered and our vision is reinforced by VMware ESX Server winning these prestigious awards,” said Michael Mullany, vice president of marketing at VMware. “These awards underscore the value of ESX Server and validate the broad support that ESX Server enjoys from the thousands of customers using it as their standard for server virtualization. As we look ahead, we remain committed to continuing to bring useful and innovative technology to market.”

Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Service Pack 1 reaches Release Candidate

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Why Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 SP1 is so interesting for virtualization technologies consumers? Because it will introduce centralized Virtual PC and Virtual Server management, adding enterprise administration capabilities mandatory for large datacenters adoption.

Here the features introduced with SP1:

– Inventory encryption and client authentication
– Client certificate provisioning
– Configurable communications port
– Watson support for server diagnostics
– Support greater number of distribution points to reduce maintenance cost
– More granular control of inter-site traffic
– Improved software distribution in multi-site hierarchies
– Folders structures for Queries, Packages, Advertisements, Reports
– Easily bypass inventory of the Windows directory for each inventory rule
– Client-side performance enhancements for Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) -based inventory
– Critical Patch Management

SP1 also broadens the supported configurations to include:
– Workgroups
– Support for Virtual Server 2005 and Virtual PC
– Advanced Client support for computers with 64-bit processors at the release of the 64-bit version of the OS
– Localized Admin console based on Operating System
– Elimination of WINS specific calls in SMS”

Whitepaper: Solution Accelerator for consolidating and migrating LOB applications

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Microsoft released a so called “Solution Accelerator” about server consolidation, ready to be used with Virtual Server 2005 and Virtual Server Migration Toolkit (VSMT) technologies.
Here the abstract:

This Solution Accelerator provides guidance for consolidating and migrating LOB applications to Microsoft® Windows® Server? 2003-based solutions, including onto Virtual Server 2005-based virtual machines. It provides technical information and recommendations, processes, build notes, job aids, test scripts, and documented test validation of the processes. The documentation includes the following components:

? Solution Accelerator Overview: Provides a brief introduction to the Solution Accelerator, information about the technologies and benefits of a Windows Server 2003 technologies, and a roadmap to the guidance provided for deployment of a Windows Server 2003-based solution.

? Decision Tree: Provides in-depth guidance for assessing LOB applications and mapping individual requirements to specific solutions that are built on Windows Server 2003-based technologies, including Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1, Microsoft Windows System Resource Manager (WSRM), and Microsoft Virtual Server 2005.

In addition to the above documents, which are now available, this Solution Accelerator also includes the following components, which are specific to a single Virtual Server 2005 solution. These components are scheduled to be available later this month, as part of the Beta release. At that time, you can download the.following components from this same Web site:

? Introduction to the Virtual Server 2005 Solution: Provides a brief introduction to a Virtual Server 2005-based solution for LOB applications and the tools that can be used to deploy it, including Automated Deployment Services (ADS) and the Virtual Server 2005 Migration Toolkit (VSMT).

? Planning Guide for the Virtual Server 2005 Solution: Provides in-depth planning and design guidance for a Virtual Server 2005-bsed solution for LOB applications, including a scenario-based sample of how the planning and design might be done in an enterprise environment.

? Implementation Guide for the Virtual Server 2005 Solution: Provides in-depth implementation guidance for a Virtual Server 2005 solution, specifically for migrating LOB applications intact to virtual machines using VSMT, including lab-validated, scenario-based installation and configuration procedures.

? Test Guide for the Virtual Server 2005 Solution: Provides information about the specific planning, environment, and processes used to validate the Virtual Server 2005 solution.

? Test Kit: Includes the test cases, scripts, and results of the testing used to validate the Virtual Server 2005 solution.

To facilitate deployment of Virtual Server 2005-based solutions, Microsoft is preparing to release the Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 Migration Toolkit (VSMT). VSMT provides tools that simplify the process for re-hosting applications on virtual machines and enable migration of an LOB application server intact to a virtual machine on a computer running Windows Server 2003 and Virtual Server 2005.

If it seems interesting enough for you download it here.