Data Center Virtualization Fundamentals (Module 1)

  Data Center Virtualization, VMWare

VMware Training Links

https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrCourse/launchCourse.cfm?id_registrant=17568200&id_host=175&id_course=189018&ui=www_edu&rGUID=df3d95d2-e04f-4339-9399-0efed856cca0&uGUID=9936fa59-282f-4d88-91ab-7b836dd91812

http://vmware-esxi.com/vcenter-server/

What is Data Center Virtualization

“The conversion of Hardware Devices into Software Resources”

Problems with Multiple Servers

Multiple Servers are required when there are several applications, often needing different OS or need to be segragated from other systems for security.

  • Each Server consumes power.
  • Each Server dissipates heat.
  • Virtualization breaks this cycle and saves money.

Virtualization breaks the hardware into software resources (virtualized hardware) that do the same job.

  • These resources are managed by a controling layer known as a Hypervisor.
  • The Hypervisor acts like a traffic cop.  Its job is to provide each virtual machine with access to the underlying physical resources.
  • This allow multiple virtual machines (VMs) to share access to the same hardware without being aware of the other VMs.

Consolidation

Consolidation is one important aspect of virtualization.

  • Through virutallization, servers can be consolidated into fewer physical resources.
  • Saves money on Power and Cooling
  • Saves money on captial expences and management costs.

IT Challenges

IT Depts. forced to save money, while improving performace and agility.  Some of these challenges are:

  • Availability
  • Scalability
  • Optimization
  • Management

Availability

  • Minimize downtime caused by hardware failures
  • Applications must not be interrupted by hardware failures
  • Ability to perform hardware maintenance during normal business hours and avoid taking down multiple servers simultaneously for patches.
  • Ease of backup testing and ability to restore complete server.
  • Ability to replicate servers to another location without need for hardware dependent solution.
  • Agressive SLAs
  • Automate execution of Disaster Recovery (DR) plan and non-disruptive testing of plan.

Scalability

  • Enterprise applications that require multiple servers and can expand quickly
  • Lacking “Shared Storage” infrastructure.
  • Application Isolation and scalability
  • Occasional need to add CPU and Memory without downtime
  • Need system to track and correct “Hot Spots” for ESXi hosts and storage arrays

Optimization

  • Performance based monitoring and reporting for bottlenecks
  • Make use of available HDD space more efficiently.
  • Concerns of impact if over or under provisioned VMs
  • Need to prioritize network peformance of VMs

Management

  • Hardware getting out of date and needs upgrading, but concerns over reinstalling on new systems.
  • Centralized and simple to manage environment.
  • Data Center too full and must reduce space as well as power and cooling costs
  • Ability to monitor environment for unexpected changes

 

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