1st Edition
Advanced Server Virtualization VMware and Microsoft Platforms in the Virtual Data Center
Executives of IT organizations are compelled to quickly implement server virtualization solutions because of significant cost savings. However, most IT professionals tasked with deploying virtualization solutions have little or no experience with the technology. This creates a high demand for information on virtualization and how to properly implement it in a datacenter. Advanced Server Virtualization: VMware® and Microsoft® Platforms in the Virtual Data Center focuses on the core knowledge needed to evaluate, implement, and maintain an environment that is using server virtualization.
This book emphasizes the design, implementation and management of server virtualization from both a technical and a consultative point of view. It provides practical guides and examples, demonstrating how to properly size and evaluate virtualization technologies. This volume is not based upon theory, but instead on real world experience in the implementation and management of large scale projects and environments. Currently, there are few experts in this relatively new field, making this book a valuable resource
The book is divided into major sections making it both a step-by-step guide for learning and implementing server virtualization as well as a quick reference. The chapter organization focuses first on introducing concepts and background, and then provides real-world scenarios.
Introduction to Server Virtualization
Overview of Virtualization Technology
History of Virtualization
Emulation, Simulation, and Virtualization
Types of Server Virtualization Technologies
Physical Partitioning
Logical Partitioning
Operating Systems and Runtime Environments
Server Virtualization Concepts
Host Servers, Virtual Machines, and Guest Operating Systems
Virtual Hardware Overview
Network Adapters
PLANNING
Business Cases for Server Virtualization
Solving Business Problems
Limitations of Server Virtualization
Other Uses of Server Virtualization
Software Development and QA/Testing
Reduce Budget
Accelerating Development and Testing Cycle
Improve Product Quality and Productivity
Technical Support and Help Desk
Software Training and E-Learning Systems
Benefits of Virtualization
Planning for Deployment
Selecting a Server Virtualization Platform
Supported Versus Unsupported Guest Operating Systems
Support from Software Vendors
Unexpected Server Growth
Virtual Machine Density
Availability Considerations
Data and System Backup Considerations
Use Case
Requirements
Deployment Plan
Server Virtualization Platform Differences
Software Maturity
Training and Certification
Management and User Interface
Technical Support
Performance
Price
Usage Scenarios
Virtual Machine Specifications
IMPLEMENTING MICROSOFT VIRTUAL SERVER
The Microsoft Virtual Server Platform
Product Background
Product Editions
Hardware Requirements
Software Requirements
Installing Microsoft Virtual Server
Virtual Server 2005 R2 Requirements
Preparing the Host Server
Preparing the Host Operating System
Installing Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2
Configuring Microsoft Virtual Server
Tools
Virtual Server Administration Website
Server Properties
Virtual Server Security Properties
Securing Virtual Server and IIS
Virtual Machine Remote Control Server
Virtual Server Scripts
Virtual Server Search Paths
Physical Computer Properties
Administration Website Properties
Recent Events Properties
Event Viewer Properties
Virtual Server Manager Search Paths
Resource Allocation
Event Viewer
Creating a Microsoft Virtual Server Virtual Machine
Preparation
Creating a Virtual Machine
Microsoft Virtual Server Advanced Topics
Virtual Machine Additions
Virtual Machines
Virtual Hard Disks
Creating a Virtual Hard Disk
Virtual Hard Disk Modes
Inspecting Disks
Merging Virtual Hard Disks
Converting Disk Types
Compacting Dynamic Disks
Virtual Networking
Virtual Switches
Virtual Machines Communicating with the Host
Virtual Machines Communicating with Each Other Privately
DHCP Server
Creating a Virtual Network or Virtual Switch
Performance Optimization
Host Clustering
iSCSI Support
Unattended Installation
IMPLEMENTING VMware ESX SERVER
The VMware ESX Server Platform
Product Background
Platform Specifics
Installing VMware ESX Server
VMware ESX Server 2.5.2 Requirements
Preparing the Host Server
Preparing the Host Operating System
Configuring VMware ESX Server
Management Interface
Virtual Machine Remote Console (VMRC)
Service Console
Boot Profiles and LILO
How to Access and Log in to the Service Console Remotely
Basic Linux Commands
ESX Server Commands
Creating a VMware ESX Server Virtual Machine
Preparation
Installing a Guest Operating System
Installing a Linux Guest Operating System
VMware Tools for a Linux Installation
VMware ESX Server Advanced Topics
VMware Tools
VMware Tools: Time Synchronization
VMware Tools: Heartbeat Service
VMware Tools: Clipboard Integration
VMware Tools: Obtaining Data from the ESX Host Server
VMware Tools: Automated Scripts
VMware Tools: Optimized Mouse
VMware Tools: Optimized Display
VMware Tools: Optimized Network Adapter
VMware Tools: Windows Service
VMware Tools: Windows Control Panel and Tray Icon
VMware Tools: Windows Properties Interface: Options Tab
VMware Tools: Windows Properties Interface: Devices Tab
VMware Tools: Windows Properties Interface: Scripts Tab
VMware Tools: Windows Properties Interface: Shrink Tab
VMware Tools: Windows Properties Interface: About Tab
VMware Tools: Linux Toolbox Interface
VMware Tools: Linux Toolbox Interface: Devices Tab
VMware Tools: Linux Toolbox Interface: Scripts Tab
VMware Tools: Linux Toolbox Interface: Options Tab
VMware Tools: Linux Toolbox Interface: Shrink Tab
Virtual Machines
Repeatable Resume
IMPLEMENTING VMware GSX SERVER
The VMware GSX Server Platform
Product Background
Product Versions
Hardware Requirements
Software Requirements
Installing VMware GSX Server
GSX Server for Windows Requirements
Preparing the Host Server
Preparing the Host Operating System
Installing VMware GSX Server for Windows
Complete Installation
Custom Installation
GSX Server for Linux Requirements
Preparing the Host Server
Preparing the Host Operating System
Installing VMware GSX Server for Linux
Installing the VMware Management Interface for Linux
Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console for Linux Hosts
Installing the VmPerl Scripting API on a Linux Host
Configuring VMware GSX Server
VMware Management and Configuration Tools
Add Virtual Machine
Virtual Machine Overview
Security
Virtual Machines and File Permissions
Creating a VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine
Preparation
Installing a Guest Operating System
Installing a Windows Guest Operating System
Installing a Linux Guest Operating System
VMware GSX Server Advanced Topics
VMware Tools
VMware Tools Control Panel-Properties (Toolbox)
VMware Tools Properties (Windows Guest Operating System)
VMware Toolbox (Linux Guest Operating System)
Virtual Machines
Virtual Networking
GSX Server Network Configurations
Dynamic versus Static MAC Addresses
Resource Management
Performance Optimization
Installing Patches and Updates
ADVANCED CONCEPTS
Upgrading VMware GSX Server and ESX Server
VMware GSX Server 3.2
Manage Virtual Disks Using VMware Virtual Disk Manager
Planning the Upgrade
How to Handle Virtual Machine Disk Modes
Upgrading the Linux Host Server
Upgrading the Guest Operating System
Upgrading a Windows Guest Operating System
Upgrading a Linux Guest Operating System
VMware ESX Server 2.5
Upgrading a Previous ESX Server Release to ESX Server 2.5
Migrating Older ESX Server Virtual Machines
Upgrading a Virtual Machine
Guest Operating System Techniques
Images
Template Guest Operating System Image Concepts
Effectively Creating and Optimizing Template Guest OS Images
Cloning Template Images
Creating and Managing a Template Image Library
Scripting with Microsoft Virtual Server, VMware GSX
and ESX Server
Getting Started with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 COM Interfaces
Controlling a Virtual Server through Scripting
Security and Microsoft Virtual Server
Backing Up Microsoft Virtual Server
Backing Up VMware GSX Server
Backing Up VMware ESX Server
Other Advanced Topics
Back Up and Restore
Backing Up Individual Files from within the Virtual Machines
Clustering
Clustering in Virtualization
What is a Virtual Floppy Disk Image?
Creating Floppy Disk Images on Linux and Windows
What is an ISO Image?
Physical to Virtual Conversions (P2V)
RESOURCES
Tools and Utilities
Communications Tools
Disk Tools
Disk Imaging Tools
Floppy Disk Image Tools
ISO Image Tools
Image Cloning Tools
Image Migration / P2V Tools
Management and Monitoring Tools
Single User Virtualization Platforms
VMware Player
Other Tools
Related Products and Open Source Projects
Commercial
Open Source Efforts
Other Virtualization Resources
Product Vendor Resources
Resources and Web Links
APPENDICES
Appendix I Deployment Planning Checklist
Appendix II File Extensions by Virtualization Platform
Appendix III Useful Log Files
Appendix IV Useful TCP/IP Ports
Appendix V Useful Linux Commands for Windows
Users
Biography
David Marshall, Wade A. Reynolds, Dave McCrory