{"id":9239,"date":"2008-11-04T15:28:00","date_gmt":"1999-11-29T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aidanfinn.com\/?p=9239"},"modified":"2008-11-04T15:28:00","modified_gmt":"1999-11-29T20:00:00","slug":"day-2-virtual-machine-manager-2008-technical-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aidanfinn.com\/?p=9239","title":{"rendered":"Day 2: Virtual Machine Manager 2008 Technical Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Edwin Yuen is the speaker.<\/p>\n

Most people here are running VMware ESX.\u00a0 About 50% are either running or have tried Hyper-V.\u00a0 Relevant?\u00a0 Yes: VMM 2008 can manage ESX.\u00a0 It will import your layout from Virtual Center for the VMM host layout\/navigation groups.\u00a0 You can aggregate multiple Virtual Centers – VMware still working on that.\u00a0 This was allegedly the #1 request from customers – I’m guessing it was the usual Fortune 1000 that determine MS strategy.\u00a0 Most SME’s won’t mix hypervisor platforms.\u00a0 MS are not adding VMotion without Virtual Center.\u00a0 You can manage it, resource pools, etc as if using Virtual Center.<\/p>\n

Aim of virtualisation: it’ll be a skill not a speciality.\u00a0 Integrated management.\u00a0 Not only reduce, but have the best TCO\/ROI.<\/p>\n

VMM 2008 was available for download as of Monday.\u00a0 Hosts support 24 cores now (6 Core Intel CPU with Hyper-V patch).<\/p>\n

The library is just a file share.<\/p>\n

About 15 people (50% full auditorium) are using VMM 2007.\u00a0 New features: Hyper-V and ESX support.\u00a0 Failover clustering in W2008.\u00a0 Delegated admin.\u00a0 PRO (integration with OpsMgr via a connector).<\/p>\n

Deploying Hosts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Adding a new W2003 host installs Virtual Center automatically.\u00a0 Adding a W208 host enables Hyper-V.\u00a0 Adding a new W2008 host to a cluster also configures clustering automatically.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Conversions<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

We can do P2V and reconfigure the "H\/W" specifications as required.\u00a0 It only copies the necessary files.\u00a0 This is a pure clone.\u00a0 The machine is not automatically turned on => avoid name\/IP clash.<\/p>\n

The host can be done live via VSS: WXP, W2003, Vista and W2008.<\/p>\n

Self Service<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Delegate to non-admins via a web page.\u00a0 They are assigned access to VM’s and what can they do to them.\u00a0 Even allow them to build machines.\u00a0 You can assign a resource quota to the user.\u00a0 There is delegation to the normal admin MMC but with restricted control.<\/p>\n

Library<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stores VHD’s in a file share, ISO, sysprep answer files, offline VM’s, Powershell scripts and templates.<\/p>\n

Intelligent Placement (of VM’s)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

We can use load balancing or resource maximisation strategies out of the box.\u00a0 We can tweak these.\u00a0 The latter seems like a "green" solution…make the most of a host before adding VM’s to another host.<\/p>\n

During deployment of a VM, you can save the entire job as a Powershell script in notepad.\u00a0 The network copy of the VHD is done using BITS 2.0; very nice. <\/p>\n

IP is run every time you move a VM.\u00a0 Expected load for the VM is compared against all potential hosts.\u00a0 If the server has space then it’s further analysed to score the hosts’ potential.\u00a0 CPU, RAM, Network I\/O and Disk I\/O are compared.\u00a0 Host reserve (configurable) is taken into this – e.g. assign 2GB RAM to a host (see my RAM calculation spreadsheet and postings).\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Powershell<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n