Virtualization in the Datacenter
Timothy AntonowiczSystems Engineer
Bowdoin College
Spring 2004
76 Intel servers Projected growth for 15-25 per year No R&D infrastructure Limited Datacenter resources Need for higher availability and fault
tolerance for services
Problem Statement
We need to find a solution to our space and resource problem.Address Hardware and Physical limitationsSupport our diverse systems environmentProvide best use of staff resourcesConsolidate to better utilize server resources
Software Requirements
FlexibilityMultiple OS support
ManagementEase of UseRapid deployment
Backup and Recovery Industry Standard
Software: VMWare ESX Server
“Bare Metal Install”Licensed per server, not per VMEach VM assigned the same virtual hardwareVMs portable between different ESX servers
Image and Deploy servers in minimal time Multiple Drive States
Use of “REDO” for changes VM is comprised of 2 files, easy backup
Task: Create Testing Infrastructure
Build virtual servers as “sandboxes”Programmers and developersApplication support and upgradesStandardization of platformsBackup and recoverySelf-service option
Task: Migrate or retire old servers
Replace older hardware with virtualApplication upgrades on VMsP2V migration for static servers
“Plan for Virtual, move to Physical”New upgrades or migrations are done to
virtual servers first. If more resources are needed, it is moved to a blade at that time.
Task: Build for future growth
Create Server ImagesGold Win2k3 and Linux imagesScale ESX servers for growth
VM resource allocationScale servers at a common base Increase disk, memory, CPU as needed“Added resources make happy customers”
Task: Change the mindset of IT
“Plan for Virtual, move to Physical”Projects begin with virtual serversCharge/spec for “Server Resources”
Prove patches and upgrades in VMBeat up on a Clone
Spread the wealthseparate file, web, and databases for security
Bowdoin Systems Today
46 X86-based servers (retired 30 servers) 122 X86-based hosts 10 ESX servers hosting 86 VMs 86 Virtual hosts vs. 36 Physical hosts 70% virtualized in the x86 space
Savings
Cost of each Blade: $6,250.00 Includes Disk, Memory, Dual Proc, etc.
Number of additional servers: 86 virtual-10 ESX servers=76
Cost to provide physical Servers
76 x $6,250= $475,000.00 ** Bowdoin did not purchase servers in FY05-06
Conclusion
Server Consolidation at Bowdoin was successful at many levels
Consolidation can be done by anyone with a little time, resources and determination
Bowdoin’s effort is ongoing ESX 3 upgrade and migration- Fall’06
Thank you for attending
Tim AntonowiczSystems Engineer
Bowdoin College
1-207-725-3723