Hyper-V virtual machine creation and management

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In this article we will explain in very simple and visual way to create and manage virtual machines using Hyper-V role which includes Microsoft Windows Server 2008.

Assuming we have already installed the Hyper-V role on the server where we want to manage virtual machines will access the management console using the icon:

Clicking on the Hyper-V manager we open the next window management:

The Hyper-V Manager is divided into 3 zones. The left side where sales role servers with Hyper-V. In this case we have 1.

The central area is divided into 3 above shows the virtual machines created (in this case we already have 4 virtual machines), the central zone is the area of ​​the snapshots (snapshoots virtual machines at any given time, it serves mainly to make an image of the machine at a specific time so you can test the machine and return to the previous state when desired), and the bottom which shows information about the virtual machine that we clicked.

The area on the right is the toolbar with the options we have. This area we analyze below:

Actions at Server Hyper-V

Actions at the virtual machine

A virtual machine level is interesting to know the actions. The main one is "Connect" to connect and see the virtual machine. We have the option "Settings" to see the settings for a particular virtual machine. Disconnect, shut down, save, pause and reset options to run against the machine. And a very interesting "Snapshot" to generate a copy of the virtual machine (it should be done with the virtual machine off).

Here we will focus on how to create and manage a virtual machine.

Creating a virtual machine

To create a machine from scratch, you must start the process by menu New-> Virtual Machine level Hyper-V. The wizard will indicate the name and location of the VM.

Allocates the amount of RAM:

Follow the wizard indicating the network driver you want:

Indicate the properties of the virtual hard disk:

Specify the installation options of the operating system that will go into the virtual machine:

Finish the wizard and see that we have created the virtual machine in Hyper-V manager:

Suppose the virtual machine we named "Server". Now we click on "Server", right click and "Power", the virtual machine will turn on, professional should install the operating system from a CD or from an ISO image (not going to explain in this article how). This step can be done in the wizard to create virtual machine, the last step asks where the ISO or the CD to install the OS.

Once installed the OS, we will connect to the virtual machine "Server", right click and "Connect" and it opens a window appears created virtual machine.

Once the OS is loaded, before putting the login from the Actions menu select "Insert installation disk integration services" to start installing the drivers for Hyper-V in the system:

Once you have integration services installed, it automatically detect all the components and the virtual machine must be ready to operate.

We can now from the window of Hyper-V management Right click on a virtual machine and click "Settings", it opens the configuration window of the machine:

Here we review the configuration of the machine and play with the resources. Most resources can not be changed if the virtual machine is on. For example you can increase / decrease the RAM allocated, the number of processors, adding hardware, etc..

This setting remains for a future article in this just wanted to enter the world of Hyper.

Introduction to Hyper-V role: virtualization

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In this article we will introduce a new virtualization product called Hyper-V Microsoft giant.

In previous articles we talked about virtualization, we have examples and we have introduced a product: VMware.

You can refresh concepts in the articles:

http://tuquiosco.es/category/virtualizacion/

In this article we want to show virtualization tool that Microsoft released in 2008 and now has improved substantially, incorporating as a function within Microsoft Server 2008.

What is Hyper-V?

Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V virtualization functionality is based on the hypervisor, included as a specific server role in Windows Server 2008. It contains everything needed for commissioning of virtualization scenarios. Hyper-V to reduce costs, improve the level of server utilization and create a more dynamic IT infrastructure. The increased flexibility provided by Hyper-V is due to dynamic platform capabilities, reliable and scalable combined with a unique set of management tools that manage both physical and virtual resources, which facilitates the creation of a datacenter flexible and dynamic and moving towards a self-managing dynamic systems model.

Microsoft released Hyper-V to try to get into the market for virtualization products, a very buoyant market in recent years, in which companies such as VMware and Citrix are dominant.

Key features of Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V

Hyper-V, the latest generation of technology-based server virtualization hypervisor for Windows Server 2008 allows you to solve many of the current challenges that arise in companies around virtualization of IT environments. You can now create virtual machines that take full advantage of available hardware, run multiple operating systems and manage both virtual and the physical resources using the same industry-standard tools.

Among the main features of Hyper-V include:

• A new architecture new, much improved: The new hypervisor architecture microprocessor-based 64-bit kernel enables Hyper-V support a wide range of devices and get better performance and enhanced security.
• Support for many different operating systems: Includes support for concurrent execution of different types of operating systems, both 32 and 64 bit server on different platforms like Windows and Linux.
• Support for SMP: architecture is capable of supporting up to 4 processors SMP in virtual machine environments, which can maximize the benefits of multi-threaded applications in VM.
• Memory Support: Supports the routing of large amount of memory for each virtual machine, enabling virtualized execution of virtually any task, with Hyper-V becomes the ideal platform for both large companies and small and medium enterprises.
• Improved access to the storage system: With disk access on a "pass-through" and broad support for SAN and internal disk access, Hyper-V offers a great flexibility to configure and optimize the use of environments and storage resources.
• New hardware sharing architecture: The new architecture of virtual service provider / virtual service client (VSP / VSC) Hyper-V enables better performance and a higher level of use of basic resources such as hard drives, network, video, etc..
• Quick Migration Hyper-V quick migration makes to a virtual machine from any physical host to another with minimal downtime, leveraging the capabilities of well-known high availability Windows Server and System Center management tools.
• Linux Integration Components: The Linux Integration Components (Beta) Now Available for x86 and x64 editions of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1. These integration components enable benefit from Xen Linux supports all the advantages of the architecture VSP / VSC and get better performance. The Beta Linux integration components and can be downloaded from the website connect.microsoft.com .
• Virtual Machine Snapshot: Hyper-V is capable of taking snapshots of a running virtual machine, thanks to which you can revert to a previous state and improve the chances of backup solutions and disaster recovery.
• Scalability: With support for multiple processors and cores at the host level and improved memory access within virtual machines, virtualization environments can scale up to support more virtual machines on the same physical machine, and facilities continue to use quick migration for scalability in multi hosts.
• Extensible: The APIs and interfaces WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation), based on industry standards Hyper-V make it possible for manufacturers and independent software developers can create their own tools, utilities and enhancements for the virtualization platform.

VMware vSphere 4.1: the new virtualisation tool

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The following opinion article we will explain the new tool Vmware virtualization company, known as vSphere 4.1.

In previous articles of this blog have talked about virtualization, operation, and we also talked about a particular product VMware. You can refresh memory in the following items:

Clear concepts: Virtualization of servers and / or services

Virtualization products: VMware

A practical example of Virtualization with VMWare

The company VMware has announced that for the month of August will release the new version of the well known vSphere, version 4.1. This new version has some significant improvements, mainly in the following diagram we can see how it distributed the following versions:

If we analyze this new scheme we noted that the services of High Availibility (HA) and VMotion are located now in the standard version, while Tolerence Fault (FT) is now part of the Advanced version. Without any doubt this change in versions of great benefit to users with a license can take advantage of lower cost two services very good. We recall that serves vMotion for moving virtual machines between different physical nodes hot and HA is a feature that continuously monitors all physical servers and in case of failure, affected virtual machines restarted on another physical server.

According to the company VMware, vSphere 4.1 features improvements in the management of virtual machine resources and performance of the network also announced the entry into force of a new licensing system virtual machine, so far was for hardware.

vSphere 4.1 includes several significant changes to come closer to SMEs. It incorporates a new memory compression technology that enables a throughput of up to 25% higher than the previous version (data demonstrate outstanding). It also incorporates an improved management of resources, this version allows over the previous, double computing resources in each network. We also noticed that it has substantially improved the speed of migration of virtual machines from one physical node to another, up to 5 times faster than the previous version. Now each physical server can be able to manage up to 10,000 virtual machines, three times more than in the previous version. For SMEs VMware released a product called VmwareGo that facilitates the introduction to the world of virtualization, to make it easier to adapt to this new technology.

VMware is also introducing two new products:

• VMware vCenter Configuration Manager, which allows operating enforce policies and prevent configuration errors by automating manual processes on all servers and workstations, both virtual and physical.

• VMware vCenter Application Discovery Manager, which maps accurate and fast way dependencies between applications to speed up movement within the data center, also plans to consolidate infrastructure and virtualize business-critical applications.

Prices vary according to the needs of customers and hardware versions. Prices range from 65 € to more than 3,000 € of some licenses, but the two previous products is priced at $ 50,000 per virtual machine.

More info: VMware Web

A practical example of Virtualization with VMWare

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In previous articles we explained the core concepts of virtualization for readers to understand. We also explain a particular product virtualization: VMWare , versions, licensing and features. In this article we explain a practical example of using virtualization, hopefully that is clear and concise. If you have questions write to me, I will answer gladly.

Suppose the company Bibirras SL, which is dedicated to the retailing of beer in Spain, has an area of ​​systems with the following scheme:

The company has 4 servers:

- 1 server for managing MS Dynamics Navision ERP version 5.0, where users manage information

- 1 server to domain controller and file server

- A mail server with MS Exchange

- 1 server to do backups

Bibirras SL The company realizes that this structure is becoming obsolete and decided to propose a new technological scenario. Area is required to support a systems company growth over the next 3 years is gathering delegations throughout Spain, to support improved information management, to improve access performance for users, access accept and remote data management, ...

The company Bibirras SL TUQUIOSCO contacts and this offers a solution: virtualization with consolidation and availability with VMWare.

Why Virtualization?

As explained in other articles virtualization technology is booming, with great potential, yet well established products in the market as VMWare. Virtualization allows us to obtain a number of important advantages:

- Optimization of servers and

- Reduced costs of physical infrastructure (space, power, ...)

- Operational Flexibility

- Ability to respond before problems

- Improved security processes and backups

- Improved TCO and ROI

- Drastic reduction in downtime (migrations, upgrades, testing, ...)

- Dynamic balancing of resources (virtual machines)

- Agility growth  

Why consolidation?

By consolidating intend to purchase 2 new physical servers to accommodate the 4 earlier servers using VMWare virtual form as a result of virtualization. In this solution we get:

- Improving disaster response before: through the VMWware snapshots can restore virtual machines quickly and safely.

- Reduced infrastructure costs: space and power.

- Agility of growth: the only limitation we have is physical server hardware and VMware licensing. If we want more virtual servers to expand the physical server hardware, or purchase a third server and VMWware licenses. This would be the most adequate to support a new virtual server with Terminal Server to access and manage data remotely.

Availability Why?

Availability is an important concept in the whole area of ​​systems infrastructure. We must limit the availability to the maximum possible errors in the systems area, to enable business continuity in the company. In any infrastructure project must meet the following equation:

SECURITY = Identity + Integrity + AVAILABILITY

In this solution only attacks the AVAILABILITY leaving aside all the concepts involved in data integrity and identity of people accessing this data. To solve this equation would have to propose for remote access secure, for example, a VPN for each delegation or client with SSL security. In another article will explain two important concepts of identity and security as S2S (Site to Site) and C2S (Client to Site).

Why the company decided to go Bibirras SL has a good availability through redundant physical devices. 2 physical servers are chosen in case one of them falls the other can work perfectly (it is recommended that each physical server does not work over 50% of its capacity to support availability), VMware can manage balancing work automatically . Are chosen to double the number of connecting elements (routers and switches) in case one fails not to leave the area of ​​systems with no connection to the users. Even should double the access to the Internet to ensure continuous service, by for example two ADSL lines with several different companies.

Consolidation and availability solution

We added to the solution a storage bin where it will manage centrally all the information. In this way virtual machines do not contain data, they have access to the cabin to get the information. This solution ensures data availability and greater protection policies backups.

The final scheme has TUQUIOSCO (without showing the connection elements to meet the availability duplicate) to the company Bibirras SL is as follows:

What can this solution cost?

The solution proposed by TUQUIOSCO consolidation and availability in the area of ​​systems can cost approximately:

- Hardware: Servers + car = € 11,000 approximately

- Software: Licensing Vmware = 3,500 € approximately  

- Services: configuration costs approximately € 4,000 =  

- Approximate Total = € 17,500   

** Note: This solution includes HP servers with 4GB 150GB SAS disks, 3-year warranty service response to 4 hours, iSCSI storage array with 2 500GB SATA hard disks and a 3 year warranty with 4 response hours, a connecting element (48-port Ethernet Switch 10/100/1000), 1 license of VMware vSphere 4.0 Essen Plus Support 3 years 9 × 5.

Virtualization products: VMware

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In a previous article we explained in a "simple" what was the virtualization and what it did. In this article we will try to dig a little deeper into the issue and present a product: VMWare and an example: an area of ​​virtualization systems with 3 servers.

What is VMWare?

VMWare is a virtualization system software company VMware Inc. subsidiary of EMC Corporation. A virtual system is a software program that simulates a physical system (a computer, hardware) with a certain hardware features. When you run the program (simulator), provides a runtime environment similar to all effects a physical computer (except pure physical access to hardware simulation), CPU (can be more than one), BIOS, graphics card, RAM, network card, sound system, USB, hard drive (can be more than one), etc..

A virtualized software lets you run (simulate) multiple computers (operating systems) within the same hardware simultaneously, thus allowing better use of resources. Nevertheless, being an intermediate layer between the physical system and operating system running on the emulated hardware, the execution speed of the latter is smaller, but in most cases sufficient for use in production environments.

VMware Approach to Virtualization  

VMware inserted directly a layer of software (VMWare ESX Server) in the computer hardware or the host operating system. This software layer creates virtual machines and contains a virtual machine monitor or "hypervisor" that allocates hardware resources dynamically and transparently to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single physical computer without even realizing it.

However, virtualizing single physical computer is just the beginning. VMware offers a robust virtualization platform that can extend for hundreds of storage devices and interconnected physical computers to form a virtual infrastructure complete.

What issues / licensing exists for VMWare Server?  

VMWare provides a variety of licensing its server versions.

- VMWare ESXi: free version operating limitations

- VMWare ESX: paid version with limited licensing operation according to chosen

For those readers who want to try the tool just download the free server virtualization VMWare ESXi. Click here .

The different types of licenses that VMWare are as follows and we have classified by type of company:

- For medium and large companies:

• VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus, which includes the full range of vSphere features for transforming datacenters into cloud computing environments incredibly simplified pave the way for the new generation of flexible IT services and reliable.
• VMware vSphere Enterprise provides key capabilities to minimize downtime, protect data and automate the management of resources.
• VMware vSphere Advanced is a strategic consolidation solution that protects all applications against planned downtime and unplanned, resulting in high availability applications.
• VMware vSphere Standard is an entry-level solution for basic consolidation of applications that can reduce hardware costs significantly and accelerate the deployment of applications.

- For small businesses:

• VMware vSphere Essentials is a solution "all inclusive" which allows small offices to virtualize three physical servers to consolidate and manage applications, reducing hardware and operating costs and a low initial investment.
• VMware vSphere Essentials Plus is a solution "all inclusive" which allows small offices to virtualize three physical servers, reducing hardware costs and ensuring high application availability and data protection.

You can view all products with VMWare on this link. Click here

Definition of the main features of VMWare

In the following table we summarize the main features of VMWare licensing and what we need:

- VMware ESX: allows multiple virtual machines share physical resources

- VMware vCenter Server, VMware vCenter Server allows centralized management, automate operations, optimize resources and high availability to IT environments.

- VMware Update Manager: This product manages the distribution of patches and VMware ESX virtual machines unattended. This ensures infrastructure from vulnerabilities.

- VMware High Availability (HA), VMware HA is a feature that continuously monitors all physical servers and in case of failure, affected virtual machines restarted on another physical server.

- VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) + (DPM): VMware DRS monitors resource utilization and dynamically shared among virtual machines.

- VMware VMotion, VMware VMotion allows hot move virtual machines from one physical server to another. This allows maintenance of HW without cutting the service or an instant.

- VMware Storage Vmotion: if the machines did not share physical storage, Storage VMotion lets you move virtual machines hot local storage of a physical server to another.

- Fault Tolerance (Fault Tolerance), an innovative application service, provides availability without downtime or data loss to all applications against hardware failures without the cost and complexity of clustered solutions hardware or software.

- VMsafe: proporciona visión de rayos-X dentro de las máquinas virtuales para detectar y detener virus, rootkits y malware anteriormente no detectables antes de que puedan infectar el sistema.

- Adición en caliente (Hot Add) de CPUs virtuales, memoria y dispositivos de red en máquinas virtuales permite a las aplicaciones adaptarse perfectamente sin interrupciones o tiempos de inactividad.

- VMware Data Recovery ofrece unas funciones de backup y recuperación sencillas, rentables y sin agentes de máquinas virtuales para entornos más pequeños.  

- VMware Consolidated Backup: permite hacer copias de seguridad en caliente de los sistemas, directamente desde los ficheros que conforman la máquina virtual. Este producto se integra con la mayoría de los productos de copias de seguridad como Symantec Backup Exec.  

Espero os haya gustado este artículo sobre el producto VMware como solución de virtualización. Podéis obtener más información en www.vmware.com/es/

En el próximo artículo explicaremos un ejemplo práctico de cómo virtualizar una área de sistemas con una estructura ya existente.