Clearspace Server Syndication Feed

Who is Uri Gilad

2009-01-07T05:56:51Z

My linkedin profile: www.linkedin.com/in/ugiladUri Gilad

Storage, storage, storage....

2009-01-06T16:02:25Z

My CEO came up to me lately and asked me to give me a range of possiblities of Storage devices to use with VMware. Immediately I came up with Netapp, Dell EqualLogic en Lefthand(HP) storage vendors. But if you take a look at MKB(middle and small business term used in the Netherlands) these can still be very expensive.

Now Lefthand is the one I know that has VSA, Virtual Storage Appliance to use within VMware. You can use the host-attached storage of your hosts as an ISCSI SAN... that's cool.

Is anyone out there familiar with other, 'cheaper' storage systems that can be used for small business?

Please mail me @ ronald.martens@helionit.nl

Virtualize (servers) on a Dime!

2008-12-23T16:21:38Z

With a struggling US economy, many IT organizations are facing budget cuts or project delays which is expected to run through the end of 2009. However, many can use free virtualization tools available today to start the virtualization process, reduce data center costs (and your carbon footprint) and then upgrade to a complete solution when budgets are restored.

VMware, Microsoft and Citrix (and many others) all have 'free' solutions on the market, in addition to some low cost upgrades that can get you closer to a 'real' solution. Let's take a look at the contenders:

1 - VMware ESXi - VMware ESXi is a fully capable hypervisor available as a free download and can be installed on a hard drive or a flash drive. ESXi can also be purchased with server hardware, loaded and ready to go. ESXi allows for the easiest transition to a full blown VMware Infrastructure because there is no transition. If at a later time, you should decide to purchase vCenter Server or VMware Infrastructure Enterprise Edition, you can simply add the ESXi hosts to the vCenter farm and your transition is complete. Click here to download VMware ESXi.

2 - VMware Server - VMware Server is a free 'hosted' virtualization product that can run on top of Linux or Windows. This can be used with local or shared storage and can be moved to VMware ESX Server at a later time. Obviously the performance will not be as good as ESX, but it will get you started with virtualization. Click here to download VMware Server.

3 - Microsoft Hyper-V Server - Microsoft has a free version of Hyper-V based on Windows Server 2008 Server Core that can do most of what the full version can do, with some limitations. If you plan to deploy a full Hyper-V architecture, but cannot in 2009, this is a good way to get started. Click here to download Hyper-V Server.

4 - Citrix XenServer Express Edition - Similar to VMware Server and Hyper-V Server, Citrix XenServer Express is a free 'limited functionality' version of XenServer. This makes a lot of sense if you plan to deploy a fee-based XenServer edition in the future. Click here to download Citrix XenServer Express.

Considerations
1 - Make sure your server hardware meets the systems requirements for the free virtualization solution.
2 - Whether you choose to store your virtual machines on local or shared storage, make sure you back these up, and develop a restore plan in the event you have to restore a full virtual machine or individual file data.
3 - Determine the migration path to go from free to fee-based alternatives. Depending on the amount of work required with each solution, you may decide to go down a different path.
4 - If you have Software Assurance on your Windows Server 2003 licenses, you may be able to get Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V at no additional cost. Check with your CDW licensing specialist to determine eligibility. Also, note that in order to make Hyper-V highly available, you still need to build a Microsoft Cluster.
5 - If you go the free route, realize that you will probably see many limitations when compared to the fee-based versions. As along as you understand the differences and set expectations with your team, your implementation will go smoothly.
6 - As with any virtualization solution, investigate each operating system and application's author to determine licensing and supportability when running in a virtual machine.

Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 2009 to all!

Nathan

The Truth about TCO & ROI

2008-12-16T23:23:06Z

Most organizations are required to show a positive and quick return on investment (ROI) for almost every IT project. We've used both total cost of ownership (TCO) and ROI analysis for the last few years to prove the value of server virtualization in a data center, but not everyone recovers their investment in the time they originally anticipated.

For instance, I recently talked to a few customers for whom we performed Server Consolidation Assessments 2-3 years ago, and I was surprised to find out that they were only able to virtualize 20% of their infrastructure, in spite of the proposed 85%. After analyzing each particular situation, I noticed that they scaled back VM conversion due to lack of resource availability, both from a physical engineering standpoint, in addition to financial.

So in these types of scenarios, until you actually convert everything over and finish the project, your TCO actually increases (since you have to run existing systems and the new virtual infrastructure, shared storage arrays etc.), and the ROI will take longer to achieve.

While the above mentioned situation isn't typical, it can happen, and here are some ways to avoid it:

1 - Commit to not only the hardware/software investments but also the resources required to execute the project

2 - Commit to a reasonable timeframe for implementation and conversion. If you are trying to convert 200 servers and have two employees that have 'other' responsibilities, you are probably not going to get much done. Also, consider downtime windows which can limit your conversion timeframe.

3 - Scrutinize the ROI analysis thoroughly. Some customers may find later on that they cannot convert physical servers to virtual machines due to I/O or other hardware dependencies, lack of vendor support, unanticipated 'virtual' licensing models, etc. and this can very easily increase TCO and reduce ROI. So the advice here is, scrub the virtualization candidate list thoroughly to make sure you can indeed virtualize each server and then recalculate the TCO/ROI.

4 - Develop a Migration Plan for Physical-to-Virtual (P2V) conversions. In many situations, a P2V project affects multiple application groups so you have to put effective Communications, Logistics and Fallback Plans in place.

5 - Consider outsourcing design, implementation and P2V work to a VMware VAC Partner if you do not have internal resources available. Many partners can customize solutions to meet your specific needs and timelines.

Hopefully this gives you an insight as to ways to reduce TCO with virtualization and keep your ROI on track with the original plan.

Nathan

Virtual Center Single Sign On (SSO)

2008-12-14T22:49:13Z

Modify the existing shortcut to the VI client or create a new to the VI client .exe in "\Program Files\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Launcher\"

Right-Click the shortcut and Select Properties
Click the Shortcut tab
In the Target field, add a single space, then the following string after the .exe:

-passthroughAuth -s <VirtualCenter Server hostname>

This simply allows passthrough authentication with your existing Windows credentials.

VMworld.com Events, Blogs & News

2008-12-08T05:39:43Z

Check out these new services on VMworld.com to stay in touch with the latest virtualization industry buzz and announcements. Make VMworld.com your home for virtualization info.

Virtualization Events
Keep up with the latest events on our industry calendar and community postings. Post any upcoming virtualization events that your company is offering and we can add it to our calendar.
http://www.vmworld.com/community/events/

Also, view all VMworld conference info at http://www.vmworld.com/community/conferences/

Virtualization Blogs
View the latest blog posts from industry publications, industry bloggers, VMworld.com member bloggers and the VMworld Team. Create your own personal blog today to add any virtualization announcements, reviews or commentary. http://www.vmworld.com/community/blogs/

Virtualization News
Catch up with the latest virtualization news, reports and tips from industry publications.
http://www.vmworld.com/community/news/

The VMworld.com Team

VMworld.com Expert Session: Keeping Data Current Throughout the P2V Process

2008-12-03T10:42:14Z

Brace Rennels,
Technical Marketing Manager,
Double-Take Software

Keeping Data Current Throughout the P2V Process\

December 2-23, 2008

Watch this expert session video and then post questions or comments for the expert to respond to.

VMworld.com Expert Session: Getting the most ROI with Deduplication

2008-12-03T10:29:33Z

	Rick Scherer, Virtual Infrastructure Architect, San Diego Data Processing Corp. Getting the most ROI with Deduplication\ December 2-23, 2008 Watch this expert session video and then post questions or comments for the expert to respond to.

New VMWare Production Environment!

2008-11-19T08:56:59Z

Today we installed our new production environment!

It is built on 3 ESX servers, VC and iSCSI SAN on 4 Tb. We have tryed a new software to setup the iSCSI, StarWind iSCSI. It is working great!

Hitachi Data Systems Expert Session on SRM

2008-11-05T21:51:33Z

Hitachi Data Systems Solution for Site Recovery Manager

Join this expert session running November 10th-26th, presented by Christophe Bertrand, Senior Director, Platform Marketing, HDS.

This session presents the architecture of the Hitachi Solution for Site Recovery Manager from VMware. It highlights the underlying foundation of Hitachi Data System's array based replication technologies and how SRM leverages market proven products and services for enterprise replication.

Watch the recorded flash video presentation and then post any questions or comments you have for the expert to respond to or just to share with the community. There is also a live online chat feature for networking and real-time discussions.

http://www.vmworld.com/community/experts/hds\