ICANWK525B Configure an Enterprise Virtual Computing Environment
ICTSUS5187A Implement Server Virtualisation for a Sustainable ICT system
Installing Virtualisation Software and Virtual Servers
We have already seen OHS issues in terms of router installation.
The same issues arise with installing physical servers:◦ Electrical safety: wires, cabling, connectors◦ Server weight: lift correctly, get two people to lift
if the server is very heavy◦ Ensure that servers are mounted correctly in
racks◦ Potential for fire: maintain servers, especially the
fans that collect dust
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
Good communication with the client is very important
Know who is the correct person to liaise with
Small businesses: typically the owner Mid-sized businesses: manager, IT person Large-sized: most likely the head of IT, the
CTO, other stakeholders in the organisation If you are a consultant, ensure you have
access to the site as required Remember: avoid disruptions to the client
Liaise with the Client
How much space in square metres is needed? How much power in watts or kilowatts will the
complete solution require?◦ Each server◦ The SAN device and the disk drives◦ The switches in the server room◦ The air conditioning
What type of air conditioning?
Is all of this an improvement over the old solution?
Environmental Requirements
Installing a server, like a router, is a complex operation
You need a list (in sequence) of the steps to take, so that you don’t forget to do something
Includes components, tools, consumables, locations, people, actions
Also includes contingency plans:◦ What to do when something goes wrong
Task List
Many issues to consider:◦ Hardware, software, configuration, physical
handling, power and data cabling◦ Liaising with the customer◦ OHS, legal, contractual aspects◦ Business requirements◦ Technical documentation◦ Risks and how to avoid them◦ Producing new documentation of the final server
configuration Needs to be extremely detailed
Task List
Purchase server from vendor Take delivery of server from vendor Unpack server, check for damage Read installation documentation Install internal components (RAM, NICs) If possible, install software and test it Collect equipment & consumables required
to perform the installation Obtain site access
Task List: An Example
Take server, tools, consumables to site Locate server room Physically move server to server room Fit rack-mount slide rails to server and to
rack Lift server (with help) and mount in the rack
according to OHS requirements Connect power according to OHS & building
requirements Connect data and peripheral cabling to
server
Task List: An Example
Power up server, test basic operation If necessary, install software:
◦ Base OS◦ Virtualisation software◦ Management software
Configure networking on the server Migrate existing physical servers to VMs on
the new server◦ Keep existing servers running◦ Plan for a cutover time to switch to VMs without
losing data from existing servers
Task List: An Example
Test that VMs created work Test networking, SAN, other components Cutover to the VMs, disabling access to the old
physical servers◦ Do not lose the old servers: rollback plan!
Test the VMs work in production environment Tidy up the installation: packaging, tools,
consumables Document the changed system Report back to the customer with the
documents
Task List: An Example
We saw the two main server virtualisation products: vSphere and Hyper-V
You must determine if the hardware you purchase can run the virtualisation product you choose
Ditto: can it virtualise the existing OS and applications running on the old physical servers?
Only solution: read the documentation for the virtualisation product
vSphere has minimum hardware requirements
Hardware and Software Compatibility
This depends on which one you choose Hyper-V requires Windows Server 2012 to
be installed first vSphere comes with its own kernel, so it
doesn’t need an OS like Windows Server Documentation:
◦ vSphere 5.0 Installation and Setup◦ Hyper-V Getting Started Guide
Install the Virtualisation Software
Servers are typically locked away in a server room
Often run in “headless” mode: no screen, keyboard or mouse connected
You need the ability to manage the virtualisation server and the VMs running on it
You need to be able to do this remotely
Remote Management
There is usually a client application to access and manage the virtualisation software remotely: web interface, or local application
Manage the Virtualisation Software
Server OS are designed to be managed remotely: both physical and VMs
Typically a client on the admin’s desktop which gives an interface on the server
Remote GUI tools: RDP (remote desktop), VNC, web-based remote desktop tools
Server OS Management
Enabling RDP on Windows Server 2008
Connecting to RDP from Client
Connecting to RDP from Client
System security is as important on virtual machines as it is on physical machines
Viruses don’t care if they are runnin on a virtual machine or on a physical machine
You need to turn on automatic updates on all your virtual machines so that they stay patched and thus protected against malware
Patching the OS
Windows Server 2008 Updates
Windows 7 Updates