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1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 2 "helpful" answers available (6 pts)
9 Replies Last post: Dec 1, 2008 7:50 AM by dconvery  

Live demo request posted: Oct 15, 2007 6:48 AM

Click to view zerogrep's profile Lurker 3 posts since
Oct 15, 2007
I'm currently planning to migrate 100% of my servers to esx. Primarily for DR and scalability. I'm running into buy-in issues with two key stakeholders. I've got a dba that doesn't want database servers virtualized, and a boss who's highly skeptical about VMotion. Can anybody offer a walkthrough of such an environment? I'd love to be able to show them a working example of what I'm tryig to sell them.

Re: Live demo request

1. Oct 16, 2007 8:06 AM in response to: zerogrep
Click to view dconvery's profile Virtuoso 1,887 posts since
May 10, 2006

I work for a VAC Partner. We have our entire production virtualized on HP C-Class Blade servers. This includes domain controllers, MS-SQL and Exchange. If you are in the Philadelphia, PA area, we could demo it for you.

Dave

Re: Live demo request

3. Oct 16, 2007 9:02 AM in response to: zerogrep
Click to view dconvery's profile Virtuoso 1,887 posts since
May 10, 2006
Yes, we can demonstrate the full complement. If you would like, call Patty Wynne at 610-239-8100 to arrange for a demo.

Re: Live demo request

5. Oct 16, 2007 1:44 PM in response to: zerogrep
Click to view dconvery's profile Virtuoso 1,887 posts since
May 10, 2006

Good deal. I will see you on Monday. I will PM you with my info.

Dave

Re: Live demo request

6. Nov 26, 2008 8:45 AM in response to: dconvery
Click to view gramakant's profile Novice 6 posts since
Nov 21, 2008

Hello Dave:

I read your post that you have implemented Domain controllers & SQL server in production environment. If you don't mind, would you be able to spare a few min to share your experiences? I am evaluating VMWare right now and having similar concerns from my bosses.

Thank you in advance.

Ram

Re: Live demo request

7. Dec 1, 2008 5:19 AM in response to: gramakant
Click to view dconvery's profile Virtuoso 1,887 posts since
May 10, 2006

Hi Ram -

For some reason, I never got an email notification about this post...

Your best bet for Domain Controllers is to create a new Windows VM and run dcpromo tomake it a DC. Then run dcpromo on a physical server to demote it. As for SQL, just make sure all transactional services, like mssql, are set to DISABLED during the conversion. Once you have done the cleanup process, you can set them back to automatic and reboot the new VM.

Check out http://viops.vmware.com for "Proven Practices" regarding these.

Dave

************************
Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties.
Doug Larson

Re: Live demo request

8. Dec 1, 2008 7:42 AM in response to: dconvery
Click to view gramakant's profile Novice 6 posts since
Nov 21, 2008
Thank you Dave for responding back. My intention is to find out how SQL on VMWare in
production environment is working for you. I have run a pilot on a standalone server and
we are satisfied. We'll be implementing
physical servers with EqualLogic SAN and are planning to run 2-3 SQL VM servers on one physical server. I want to know if that is the right
approach from an end user. As you have implemented this already, i'd really appreciate if you can share your experiences; any hickups or performance issues. Please let me know if you would be willing to discuss, my email address is: ram@irely.com.


Ram

Re: Live demo request

9. Dec 1, 2008 7:50 AM in response to: gramakant
Click to view dconvery's profile Virtuoso 1,887 posts since
May 10, 2006

From what I have seen, just make sure that you allocate enough RAM and processor to each VM running SQL. You should not put mor that 10-12 VMs per VMFS LUN - maybe less is there is high disk I/O on the SQL. There are best practices whitepapers that you should follow for performance, etc. Your best place to start is to do a Capacity Planner analysis of any servers you wish to make virtual. this will guide you in consolidation ratios and give you good performance stats.

You can certainly PM me if you have more questions, but you would probably be better off posting a new question in the forums. That way you will get a bunch of different opinions.

Dave

************************
If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get a million miles per gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.
Robert X. Cringely, InfoWorld magazine

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