Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition ...€¦ · Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition (RC VE) White Paper July 2007 Fujitsu Limited This document

Systemwalker Resource Coordinator

Virtual server Edition (RC VE)

White Paper

July 2007

Fujitsu Limited

This document includes functions in planning for future provision. The contents provided here are subject to change without any prior notice.

ETERNUS and Systemwalker are the registered trademarks or brands of Fujitsu Limited.

VMware is the registered trademark or brand of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Proper nouns including company names and product names are registered trademarks or brands.

All other system names and product names provided here are written without their trademarks (TM/®).

Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition

All Rights Reserved, Copyright© FUJITSU LIMITED 2007

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Contents

1. Outline .................................................................................................. 3

1.1. Product Positioning ......................................................................................... 3 1.2. Values and Benefits Provided ......................................................................... 4

2. Technologies Employed in The Product.............................................. 5 2.1. RC Technology................................................................................................. 5 2.2. RC VE Technology ............................................................................................ 7 (1) Integrated Server Management ........................................................................ 7 (2) SAN Virtualization Management ..................................................................... 10 (3) Server Orchestration ...................................................................................... 11

3. Conclusions ........................................................................................14 Appendix: Related information............................................................................... 14



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1. Outline

1.1. Product Positioning

Recently, IT management expectations have been moving towards the consolidation of ever expanding and fragmented IT systems onto blade servers. The aims in doing this can be listed as, greater resource use efficiency, more centralized system management, simpler and better organized IT infrastructure, greater return on investment, and a smaller power and cost saving ecological footprint. Other benefits are also attained, for example, improved CPU performance, from multi-core processor structures, and the use of virtualization technologies can increase the number of systems (applications) that can be consolidated in this manner. However, use of such new system consolidation techniques requires numerous configuration changes and more secure and consistent operation of the whole system. This in turn can increase system administrator workloads. That is why Fujitsu has developed, and continues to enhance, ”Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition”. This new administration tool, based on Systemwalker Resource Coordinator, is specifically for implementing and managing the virtualization of blade servers. The product functions as core software in infrastructure optimization. It reduces the burden on system administrators during server integration and significantly improves operability and availability of the overall blade server system.

Main Functions Provides a holistic approach to configuration change and secured operation ofthe overall consolidated system

■ Simplifies server implementation

■ Provides the automatic network settings necessary for server changes

■ Manages system disk generations

Latest Enhancements

Simpler blade server operation. Easy and automated storage settings during server

addition and replacement. Automated, lower cost, application recovery following

server failure.



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1.2. Values and Benefits Provided

Unified Visualization and Control of both Physical and Virtual Blade Servers

The integrated Management View enables management en bloc of the mixed physical and virtual environment. This means server monitoring and operation can be done using the same operational procedure on both physical and virtual servers. Administrators are able to identify virtual servers affected by hardware failure, and perform daily jobs such as server startup, shutdown, and backup, without needing to be aware of any differences between the physical and virtual servers.

Minimized Server Management Workload from Enhanced Blade server to SAN Connection

Emulex Corporation, a leading fibre channel device manufacturer, and Fujitsu have co-developed a SAN Connection Virtualization function. It removes the need to change the SAN (Storage Area Network) when adding or replacing servers. This reduces the load on both server and SAN administrators. This virtualization function is not limited to Fujitsu ETERNUS disk array connections but can also be used with any existing 3rd party storage environments.

A Lower-cost and High Availability Blade Server Systems By incorporating the technologies of server virtualization and SAN environment virtualization, server consolidation on blade server systems, is enabled at lower cost and with higher availability. - All operations from error detection to application restart on a spare server

can be performed automatically. This ensures business continuity without intervention from the administrators. These functions are provided as standard, so there is no need to purchase additional software or create complicated scripts.

- Cooperation with VMware HA (the VMware high availability function), a single spare server can be shared by all systems in a mixed physical and virtual environment. Therefore, compared to other server management regimes, a more economical, efficient, and higher availability, N+1 standby system can be implemented.



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2. Technologies Employed in The Product Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition (RC VE) is developed based on the technologies of Fujitsu’s Systemwalker Resource Coordinator (RC).

2.1. RC Technology

RC is software that manages the resources of entire systems consisting of servers, storage and networks. It not only controls all those components but also provides the system orchestration that allows coordinated management of the system as a whole.

Chart 1 RC Configuration

- Integrated Server Management

• Unified management of servers and the software running on them.

• Automatic collection of configurations and events, regardless of server type.

• Visualization of server information (unit, model and error status) and software information (OS and versions) in a single management view.

• Operating system and application management via a master image (boot disk). Use of such common boot disks simplifies installations, setups, and backups.

- Integrated Storage Management

• Unified management of the access paths between servers and storage.

• Automatic collection and visualization of configurations, events and access paths, regardless of storage models.

• Allocation of LUN for each server and changes to access paths.

- Integrated Network Management

• Management of network devices and their topology.

• Automatic collection and visualization of configurations, events and topology, allowing modification of that topology.

Integrated Storage

Integrated Network

System Orchestration

Integrated ServerManagement



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- System Orchestration

• Automates the consecutive management processes needed to ensure operational consistency and inter-working between the Server, Storage and Network processes.

• Enables control of all necessary resources and their settings, during, implementation, upgrading, pre-maintenance backups, breakdown restorations, and so on.



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2.2. RC VE Technology

RC VE is server virtualization management software. Based on the integrated storage and network management functions of RC, it has been enhanced to enable SAN and Network (LAN) virtualization management from the server. This allows incorporation of existing storage and network resources already at the customer’s site. RC VE consists of the following:

• Integrated server management of both physical and virtual PRIMERGY Blade servers such as those based on VMware

• SAN virtualization management – connection path virtualization between servers and SAN

• LAN virtualization management – connection path virtualization between servers and the network

• Server orchestration –overall server system virtualization

Chart 2 RC VE Configurations

(1) Integrated Server Management

Management of the server and the software operating on it is unified for both physical and virtual blade servers.

Server Orchestration

Integrated Server Management

(Physical, Virtual servers, OS)

SAN Virtualization Management

(Virtual WWN)

LAN Virtualization Management

(IP Address, VLAN ID)

Existing Storage Resources

Existing Network resources

Blade Server

Windows

Linux

VMware Linux Virtual

machine function

WindowsVM function

Linux WindowsWindows OS

Virtual server

Integrated Server Management

Physical server



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Chart 3 Integrated Server Management

Configurations and events are automatically collected from the Server Virtualization Software such as VMware. This virtual server information (unit, model, error existence) and software information (OS, version) is displayed on the same single Graphical User Interface (GUI) management screen alongside similar information for physical servers. RC VE also enables server administrators to implement, change, and backup configurations using a master image (boot disk), without needing to be concerned about the differences between physical and virtual servers.

Chart 4 Status View and Tree View

The Status View displays the total number of managed servers and their states (“normal”, “abnormal”, “warning” and “stopped”, “starting”). This enables server administrators to monitor the status of the whole system at a glance.

The Tree View displays the hierarchical relationship between physical and virtual servers as well as resource status icons. This allows for fast identification of virtual servers affected by hardware failure.

Physical Server

Virtual Server

Icon displays status

Status View

Tree View



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Chart 5 List View

The List View displays the names of physical servers, VM host, server OS, status, etc. and whether it is “in use" or a “spare”. By selecting a server in the Tree View, it is possible to separately perform server operations such as “start”, “stop” and “back up” via the VMware Web interface for a virtual server and via the management interface for a physical server.

PHHost02VMGuest01_01 VMGuest01_02

VMHost01

Blade01 Blade02

chassis01

Blade03 Spare Server

Server Configuration

List View



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(1)(2) SAN Virtualization Management SAN virtualization is technology that hides the physical relationship between the SAN and the server. This separates the functions of server and SAN making the server effectively independent of the SAN. This means there is no need to make changes on the SAN storage side when servers are added or replaced.

The SAN virtualization technology developed by Fujitsu allocates virtual World Wide Names (WWN) to Fibre Channel (FC) adaptors instead of using conventional fixed addresses.

The WWN assigned to the FC adaptor acts as a unique address, and is used by the SAN to distinguish servers. For example, if it is necessary to recover a failed server application on another server, the WWN would have to change from A to B. The server administrator must ask the SAN administrator to change the WWN assigned to the SAN (See left-hand chart). However, as RC VE uses virtual WWN this can be automatically duplicated on the other server. As a result administrators do not need to change any settings on the SAN. (See right-hand chart).

Chart 6 RC VE Mechanism for Resetting Virtual WWN

This RC VE function can be used in combination with PRIMERGY blade server’s “Server I/O Virtualization (FC)” option. This provides a guaranteed unique, Fujitsu vendor ID based virtual, WWN address. RC VE then allocates and manages this virtual WWN.

Chart 7 SAN Connection Virtualization Option

Fibre channel

Extension board

PRIMERGY Blade server

Implemented on standard H/W

RC VE

Automate virtual WWN control

Server I/O virtualization (FC)

Provides Virtual

WWN1 to WWN20

SAN SAN

AP

PL

A

AP

PL B

AP

PL

AP

PL

Blade A

PP

L Z

AP

PL Z

Blade

Change from A to BZ retained

WWN is hardware based

Ot server change, SAN change not required

RC VE

Virtual WWN automatically changed

AP

PL

AP

PL

On server change, SAN change required



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(1)(3) Server Orchestration

Server Orchestration through collaboration with Integrated Server Management, SAN Virtualization Management and LAN Virtualization Management, enables automation of the various management operations, such as server allocation and reconfiguration by ensuring the consistency of resources that comprise the system.

By registering and identifying resource information such as servers, system images, SAN and LAN as “shared resources”. Plus defining how to use such resources in “system design”, as shown below; Server Orchestration is able to select the appropriate resources from the “shares resources” based on the “system design”.

“System design” and “shared resources” are managed using Resource Control eXtensible Markup Language (RCXML) developed by Fujitsu.

Chart 8

System Design & Shared Resources

There are two methods of system design definition: (i) by spreadsheet - best suited for designing large-scale systems, and (ii) by GUI – more suitable for small-scale systems.

This tabular format enables system design to be performed efficiently and remotely. Once complete definitions are stored on file, they can be pulled down at the datacenter for fast system implementation. As a result design and implementation efficiency is enhanced and operational mistakes are avoided.

RCXML

Server

Softaware

SAN definition

LAN definition

System Design

Server resource

Software

SAN resource

LAN resource

Shared Resources

Examples of System Design Server In operation or spare,

Occupied or Shared, Model Software OS name, generation name SAN Redundancy/non-redundancy,

Occupied/Shared, Capacity LAN Redundancy/non-redundancy,

Occupied/Shared, Segment

Examples of Shared Resources Server Physical server, virtual server Software Master image (Boot disk) SAN Virtual WWN LAN IP address, VLAN ID



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Chart 9 System Design pre-definition

Definitions by GUI do not require any special knowledge or skills. For example, when assigning a spare server, the server can simply be “selected” as a spare.

Chart 9 Spare server setup screen

Server Definition

Software def init ion

SAN definition

LAN definition

System Design

Office DataCenter

Input check

File



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Based on the System Design, automated processes can be defined using RC VE. For example, the following 6 procedures, covering the processes from error detection to service recovery using a spare server, enable creation of a High Availability system with minimum administrator workload.

1. Detect error RC VE analyzes the status of managed servers using an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) trap and detects server failure.

2. Stop failed server Identify the failed server based on “shared resources” and stop the server.

3. Select a spare server

Selects a spare server based on the predefined System Design and confirms that the spare server is NOT in operation with other software such as VMware HA.

4. Allocate the storage volume to spare server Allocates the original server’s storage volume to the new spare server by reassignment of the virtual WWN (of the failed server) to the spare server.

5. Configures network for the spare server

Switches LAN connection between failed server and spare server by reallocating the VLAN ID used by the original failed server to the LAN switch port of the spare server.

6. Restarts the application Powers on the spare server.

Server virtualization HA functions, found in software such as VMware HA, only manages virtual servers. Therefore in mixed virtual and physical server environments two separate spare servers are required.

But with RC VE collaborating with VMware, only one spare server is needed.

When a failure occurs on a Virtual server, VMware HA will switch the machine to the shared spare server. When an error occurs in a physical server, RC VE will replace the failed server with the shared spare server. Thus, a HA system is possible at lower cost. In addition, an eco-mode enables cost saving by turning off the power of the spare server until it is required.



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Chart 10 Sharing the backup server with VMware HA

3. Conclusions Virtualization functions are being incorporated as standard functions in main operating systems, and there are growing expectations by enterprises that “Virtualization” will help them consolidate servers and use resources more effectively. In regard to virtualization technologies, Fujitsu employs industry standard technologies, and cooperates with vendors and communities to promote open use. As a result, with its customer focused approach, “Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition” meets the server virtualization management needs of current information systems. Practical and simple to deploy it is positioned to enable more and more organizations to enjoy the benefits server virtualization can bring to server consolidation.

Appendix: Related information More information about “Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition” can be found at the Fujitsu website: http://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/software/systemwalker/products/rc/rcve.html

Details about “PRIMERGY Blade Servers” can be found at:

http://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/computing/server/ia/bladeserver/

For more information on Fujitsu’s “Virtualization” activities refer to: http://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/software/systemwalker/products/rc/virtualization.html

PRIMERGY blade server

VMware HARC VE

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App

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App

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App

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Other Vendor’s Blade Server

VMware HA Other Server Mgmt Soft S

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Ser

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App

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App

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App

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VMware ESX

VMware ESX

VMwareESX

Spare Server: 1 Spare Server: 2

Documents

Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition ...€¦ · Systemwalker Resource Coordinator Virtual server Edition (RC VE) White Paper July 2007 Fujitsu Limited This document