Virtualization Frontier

Dell M905 Blade Server Unboxing Video in One Take

ToddMuirhead — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:01:45 GMT

Last week we received a couple of new PowerEdge M905 blade servers for the DellTechCenter lab. The PowerEdge M905 is a new full-height blade for the PowerEdge M1000e chassis that supports up to four AMD Opteron processors and 24 DIMM slots. To have a little fun we decided to record the unboxing and deployment into our chassis. We had a few challenges in getting everything set up to record the video as both of our laptops did not have Webcams, but we were able to borrow an XPS M1530 and use that to record.

We did the video on the first take with Scott recording and me talking and pointing. I was going to edit out the beginning where we are talking about getting started and also the end where we are trying to find the Stop button, but I decided it was much better with these parts in. If you watch closely you can see Scott's head at the end of the video as he is trying to click on Stop.

Todd

Why ServerGeeks Should Care About Desktops

ToddMuirhead — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:59:33 GMT

As a self-acknowledged servergeek, I enjoy learning about the details of Microsoft Exchange 2007, SQL Server Mirroring, Oracle RAC, and VMware HA. I spend a lot of my time analyzing the configuration of systems with tons of processing cores and RAM of 32, 64, and 128 GB. I even have my own open source project (along with Dave) that is a test OLTP database for SQL, Oracle, and MySQL that includes driver programs, build files, and load scripts.

So why should I get involved with desktops? Because a lot of people are now considering using those big servers to host desktops-as Virtual Machines-inside the data center. The advantages of this approach can include better security of data, easier management of clients, and potential cost savings. In some ways it's an extension of many of the advantages of server virtualization, but for desktops. So pay attention: the desktop may be coming into your data center.

Todd

Confessions of a Recovering Fibre Channel User

ToddMuirhead — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:01:00 GMT

I've been a user of Fibre Channel SANs for about eight years. I have used the Dell | EMC-based arrays throughout and have gone through a few product transitions from the FC4700 to the CX-600 to most recently a CX3-80. I always liked the Navisphere management tool and was able to great performance across the range of applications that I set up to use the Fibre Channel storage.

About eight months ago I was finally convinced to try out some iSCSI arrays. First, I worked with the Dell | EMC CX3-40c, which has both iSCSI and Fibre Channel ports. This configuration didn't really seem all that different from what I was used to with Fibre Channel, mostly because I was still using Navisphere. Next, I set up and used a PowerVault MD3000i and found this array to be really easier in some ways, although it didn't have the same features in lots of respects. Finally, about four months ago I started using some Dell EqualLogic PS5000 Series iSCSI storage arrays. And I did some performance testing with them in a whitepaper that was released about a month ago. The net was that this setup is really much easier, and I was able to get great performance.

We are having a chat here on delltechcenter to discuss when to use what type of storage for virtualization, and we expect a lot of the discussion to be about iSCSI versus Fibre Channel. Feel free to join the chat or check out the transcript, depending on when you are reading this.

I haven't done a head-to-head performance comparison of Fibre Channel versus iSCSI, and I don't plan to either. I've been able to get great performance with both in the tests that I have run. It's more the ease of setup and use that makes iSCSI so compelling for me. I had resisted iSCSI for a while because I just knew that it wouldn't be good enough, but now that I have started using it I find that it works fine. I think that Fibre Channel still has places where it fits best, but I would highly recommend that iSCSI be considered for all new projects. I'm still using both in my lab. You just might find that you will like iSCSI-if you try it.

Todd

Great Discussion About EqualLogic and MD3000i with Virtualization

ToddMuirhead — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:59:00 GMT

Our recent chat on the benefits of using EqualLogic iSCSI storage for virtualization solutions like VMware and XenServer was great. We had a longtime EqualLogic guy - Tim Sherback - and quite a few expert users who talked in detail about all of the features of EqualLogic that work so well with VMware and XenServer. Things like thin-provisioning, simplified management, and ease of expansion were mentioned. The most compelling aspect to me is the deep integration that has been done with the Auto Snapshot Manager for VMware, Auto Replication with VMware Site Recovery Manager, and the EqualLogic adapter for XenServer 5.0 Dell Edition. In each case the virtualization software (either VMware of XenServer) is able to use the hardware features of an EqualLogic array to accomplish what would have been done in software. For example you can use the snapshot feature of the array to make a VM snapshot. Check out the chat transcript for more details and also check out the demo vidoes to see it in action.

The other really great aspect of the chat was a discussion around when to pick EqualLogic or MD3000i. There was lots of info which should help anybody trying to decide which to use. I recommend that you read the transcript to get the details - this part of the chat is towards the end if you want to just skip right to it.

Todd

EqualLogic Mixes with VMware and XenServer

ToddMuirhead — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:22:00 GMT

A couple of days after scheduling our current chat series I got an email with a new whitepaper on how EqualLogic can be integrated with XenServer 5.0. To be honest - I had scheduled tomorrow's chat (Value of EqualLogic With Virtualization) expecting to mostly talk about EqualLogic integration with VMware SRM and Auto SnapShot Manager for VMware. Now the conversation can also include XenServer - the new whitepaper outlines how XenServer 5.0 can be integrated wtih EqualLogic for snapshots and thin provisioning.

There are lots of great resources out there that cover the basics of these integration features. The videos on integration with VMware Site Recovery Manager and AutoSnapshot Manger VMware Edition are recommended for those selecting storage for virtualization. Then come to our chat tomorrow to discuss with some EqualLogic experts.

Todd

iSCSI Setup Using Command Line for Hyper-V Server

ToddMuirhead — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:40:00 GMT

To follow up on the Hyper-V Server install video from last week, I added a new page to delltechcenter.com that shows how to configure a connection to an iSCSI storage array for Hyper-V Server. With a full Windows Server 2008 installation there is a GUI tool in Administrative Tools called iSCSI Initiator that is used to configure and manage these connections. Windows Server 2008 Core and Hyper-V Server do not have a GUI, so a command-line version called iscsicli.exe must be used.

The page that I added shows how to create a simple iSCSI connection by first enabling the iSCSI Initiator service with the sc (service console) command, then using iscsicli.exe to map the connection to the target iSCSI LUN, and then using diskpart.exe to do the partitioning and formatting. It's not as bad as it sounds, and is pretty straightforward once you know the commands.

To get an MPIO-type connection set up is only a little bit more involved. There is a script that I found in a Microsoft TechNet forum that is an example of how to do an MPIO connection to an MD3000i using iscsicli.exe. You can also use a GUI-based tool called Storage Explorer that is included with Windows Server 2008 to connect remotely to the Hyper-V server and create additional connections. (It doesn't see anything until you have used iscsicli.exe to get the initial connection.)

Todd

The Right Storage for Virtualization

ToddMuirhead — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:22:00 GMT

So you want to know what the right storage solution is for your new VMware deployment you are planning. Or maybe you are ready to start deploying Microsoft Hyper-v and need to know which iSCSI array is right for you. Because there really isn't a single answer that is right for everybody, the answer is - It depends.

The question really should be how do I decide what is the right storage. What questions should I ask? and how do I find the answers? Or maybe more simply - What process should I follow to find the right answer? I think that the answer is basically to ask questions, learn about the options, and learn from others experiences. We did a similar focus topic on selecting a server for virtualization in the summer and now it is time to look at storage.

For the next three weeks on DellTechCenter we are going to focus on the question of what is the right storage for virtualization for a range of scenarios. There is a homepage for the topic and series of three web chats scheduled. So if you have a question about storage and virtualization get it answered here. We have lined up experts from the storage engineering teams to help out with the chats and assist in getting your questions answered.

Todd

Hyper-V Install Video for Free

ToddMuirhead — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:06:00 GMT

Microsoft released Hyper-V Server as a FREE download from their website on Wednesday. Like lots of other server geeks out there, I downloaded it immediately and installed it to see what it was like. It took me about an hour and a half to complete the whole install process. I recorded the whole session as a video file and then edited it down to 5 minutes by speeding up all of the sections where it is loading files or rebooting.

I have decided to also give away for FREE my video of the Hyper-V Server install. Yes that's right. You can view my video for FREE, just like you can download Hyper-V Server or ESXi and install them for FREE.

I did the entire install remotely from my desk - our servers are in another room. In order to do the install I connected via remote desktop into a "gateway" system in the lab and then used a browser from that system to connect to the Dell Remote Access Card (DRAC) in the target server. Then using the remote console redirection and virtual media features of the DRAC I did the install from the Hyper-V Server ISO that was on our file server.

Hyper-V Server is basically Windows Server 2008 Core with only the Hyper-V role included. Did I mention that it is free? Which is a really big deal - I don't remember Microsoft ever giving away something like this before. Because it is based on Windows Server Core it does not have a GUI. It does include a text based configuration tool that enables you to set the hostname, IP, subnet, etc (This is included in the FREE video). Once a Hyper-V Server is on the network you can then use the Hyper-V Manager MMC from a Windows Server 2008 or Vista system to manage it.

Todd

VMWorld 08 Was A Full Week

ToddMuirhead — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:01:00 GMT

I was at VMWorld 2008 in Las Vegas all last week and it was the best conference I have ever attended. During the show Scott and I used the delltechcenter twitter account to interact with other twitter heads and provided some basic coverage for those not able to attend. We also have a virtual booth and blogs (here and here) on VMworld.com where some of the fun of the conference was captured. I also uploaded all of my pictures from the conference as well.

VMware's big announcement was really more of a vision for where their virtual infrastructure is going over the next few years. Initially there are some changes coming with Virtual Center and ESX that will allow for better management and interaction with 3rd party tools. There was much more talk of creating a platform with APIs and partners than in previous years. Client vitalization and VDI is now a much bigger area of focus based on the amount of time that it was discussed in the keynotes and the number of breakout sessions. Ultimately, VMware talked quite a bit about being able to use the "cloud" as part of future solutions.

Some things are still going on over on VMworld.com and I will be posting some things here and there. Some will only be in one place. Just trying to put the content where it belongs. Chime in with comments anytime.

Todd

VMware and Microsoft Repeat Free Free

ToddMuirhead — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:32:00 GMT

Microsoft announced yesterday that they are basically matching VMware's free ESXi download with a free slimmed down version of Hyper-V to also be a free download. Previously both companies had charged money for this virtualization software, but will now make them available for free. VMware announced on July 28th 2008 that ESXi would be available as a free download and Microsoft announced on September 8th 2008 that they would have a slimmed down version of Hyper-V available as a free download. The two products are not exactly the same - there are feature differences between the two but I think it is fair to say that they are comparable in most respects.

This is actually almost an exact replay of history from about two years ago.

On Februrary 6th, 2006 VMware announced that the product previously known as GSX server would now be called VMware Server and would be available as a free download. About two months later on April 3rd, 2006, Microsoft announced that Virtual Server 2005 was becoming a no-charge download. Again these products previously cost money and were not the exactly the same feature for feature, but they were comparable.

Have fun reading through the old press releases and comparing them to the recent ones from the last month.

Todd

Measuring Total CPU Utilization on Hyper-V

ToddMuirhead — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:11:00 GMT

I just finished up testing for a new whitepaper on Hyper-V performance and one of the initial things I had to figure out was how to measure the CPU utilization on the server. What is known as the parent partition (the initial Windows Server 2008 that is installed on the server and then used to enable the Hyper-V role) does not include the CPU utilization for its VMs in the main Processor Utilization performance counter. This was surprising to me at first, but makes sense when you consider the architecture of Hyper-V. In this architecture, the VMs do not go through the parent partition to access the processors. (Although I/O does to use the device drivers of the parent partition.)

In order to solve this problem Microsoft has created some new performance counters that are specific to the Hyper-V Hypervisor. Early on in the betas for Hyper-V it wasn't clear what these counters did, as I blogged about back in January, but it is now much clearer with some guides from Microsoft.

In order to measure the total CPU utilization on a Windows Server 2008 system running VMs under Hyper-V use the Hyper-V Hypervisor Logical Processor % Total Run Time counter in Performance Monitor (more affectionately known as perfmon). If you just look at the % CPU Utilization or the performance tab of Task Manager you will only see the CPU utilization of the parent partition and not the VMs.

Todd

ESX 3.5 Update 2 Passes Microsoft SVVP Validation Test

ToddMuirhead — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:18:00 GMT

Wow that was fast. It was only a couple of weeks ago that VMware joined the Microsoft Software Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP) and now ESX 3.5 Update 2 has been offically certified under that program. This means that now ESX and Hyper-V are supported virtualization platforms for running Microsoft applications. This removes a big issue that many customers had regarding support for Microsoft apps like Exchange, SQL Server, and SharePoint when running on VMware ESX. Check out the Microsoft Virtualization Team Blog and Scott Lowe's blog for some some additional details.

Todd

Hyper-V Theme Song

ToddMuirhead — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:03:00 GMT

During our weekly tuesday chat, I told ye110wbeard that I would send him a TechCenter shirt if he created a theme song for Hyper-V. I felt secure that I would not have to actually payout. Unbelievably, he had a Hyper-V theme song and video and lyrics up by late Wednesday. I think the song is kinda catchy and the lyrics are pretty good. Check it out when you get a chance. And I am working on sending out not only a nice TechCenter shirt, but also a nice coffee mug tumbler thing as well because he went above the original challenge and added video!

Todd

ESX Gets Closer to Offical Microsoft Support for Exchange

ToddMuirhead — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:49:00 GMT

It was officially announced that VMware has joined Microsoft's Software Virtualization Validation Program - known as SVVP. This is big news because it means that VMware hypervisors can become a validated and supported platform for Microsoft applications, including my favorite Exchange. The catch currently seems to be in the details. VMware ESX has not yet been certified (MS KB article with supported 3rd party hypervisors), although VMware has joined the SVVP.

I think that Microsoft and VMware coming to agreement on a process that leads to better support is a big win for their customers (Many of which are Dell customers too). Although the certification tests have not yet been run with ESX, it is my humble opinion that it is just a matter of time until it is a validated and supported hypervisor through the SVVP. The other big benefit here is that I will be able to remove some of the footnotes from my Exchange on VMware whitepapers once this is all settled.

Additionally the Exchange team blog has an excellent post with a link to a doc with their recommendations for running Exchange on Hyper-V which should be of great assistance to customers looking to do such a solution.

Todd

Poor Man's Fail-over for Free ESXi

ToddMuirhead — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:24:00 GMT

During last week's chat the we discussed ESXi licensing and features. In the features portion of the discussion flakrat asked if it was possible to setup two ESXi servers with shared storage to be able to do a manual fail-over of a VM between the two servers. I was able to create this setup and confirm that it works. Read on for details.

The setup that I used to test was two PowerEdge R805 servers with ESXi Update 2 refresh installed on the hard drive. This was the currently available "free" ESXi installable from VMware's web site. To install I used the Dell Remote Access Card (DRAC) virtual media capability to boot from the ESXi ISO I downloaded. I selected the local hard disk as the location to install and let it complete. Once installed, I used the ESXi configuration to set the password, IP, gateway, and hostname for each server. I then installed the Virtual Infrastructure client on a windows server and used that to manage each of the R805 servers individually.

For shared storage I used a PowerVault MD3000i iSCSI storage array. I enabled the iSCSI software initiator on each server and discovered the the MD3000i. On server A, I created a VMFS partition and created a new VM called VMTest1. I installed Windows Server 2008 64-bit Enterprise Edition. After install completed I shutdown the VM on server A. I then went to server B and rescanned the storage adapters. It found the new VMFS partition on the shared iSCSI LUN. I created a VM using the same settings as I had on Server A including the same virutal hard disk file. I then boot the VM successfully.

The most interesting part of this test was to verify that the cluster file system of VMFS was still working without Virtual Center in the picture. So with the VM still running on Server B, I tried to start it on Server A - and I got an error message that the file was in use by another server. This was great because it showed that it would not be possible to run the VM at the same time on both servers.

We will chat more about this on today's chat - ESX and ESXi.

Todd