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VMWare Fault Tolerance and many LINUX servers
I have a client that will have the need for about 20 LINUX Machines performing several functions. Some database driven servers, some servers will be pushing/pulling data from business partners.
Typically they have had a server for each function running on PC's. They have nothing in place for backup processes.
What I would like to do is get an environment together so that they could run VM's on a couple of different servers. If that one server would go down, they would have a way to get the VM's from the failed server on-line ASAP.
I am little new to VM, but understand the concept. We have a couple of VM's running LINUX servers for them now. We are running RHEL VM sessions of a WINDOWS server.
I would also like to be able migrate those VM's into a more enterprising solution.
Money is an object but my client seems to have an endless supply of it so would like to put something very robust together for them
Something that might be able to span data-centers!
Typically they have had a server for each function running on PC's. They have nothing in place for backup processes.
What I would like to do is get an environment together so that they could run VM's on a couple of different servers. If that one server would go down, they would have a way to get the VM's from the failed server on-line ASAP.
I am little new to VM, but understand the concept. We have a couple of VM's running LINUX servers for them now. We are running RHEL VM sessions of a WINDOWS server.
I would also like to be able migrate those VM's into a more enterprising solution.
Money is an object but my client seems to have an endless supply of it so would like to put something very robust together for them
Something that might be able to span data-centers!
The new version of VMWARE vSpehre 4.0 will have Fault Tolerance (FT) as an option built into the hypervisor. Should be out pretty soon.
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How will VSphere work?
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za_mkh:
is there a recommended approach for VM backups?
also, if I get 2 servers for ESX hosts, what is best practice in which to manage it? I was thinking that there would be a 3rd server/workstation to manage it? Or are there other ways to manage it?
I also see that ESXi is available for free. Is there any reason to not use it?
is there a recommended approach for VM backups?
also, if I get 2 servers for ESX hosts, what is best practice in which to manage it? I was thinking that there would be a 3rd server/workstation to manage it? Or are there other ways to manage it?
I also see that ESXi is available for free. Is there any reason to not use it?
ESXi is free, but you would be required to purchase the VMware ESX Enterprise Edition license for HA, vMotion and other distributed Services
This URL should give you an idea - http://www.vmware.com/products/vi/buy.html
If you want to have options like Template Creation for deployment of VMs and cloning options, then you would be needing either VMware vCenter Foundation (only a max of 3 ESX hosts could be managed) or vCenter Standard License (a max of 200 ESX Hosts could be managed)
This URL should give you an idea - http://www.vmware.com/products/vi/buy.html
If you want to have options like Template Creation for deployment of VMs and cloning options, then you would be needing either VMware vCenter Foundation (only a max of 3 ESX hosts could be managed) or vCenter Standard License (a max of 200 ESX Hosts could be managed)
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There are a great number of hardware and therefore software configurations you could use.
I will make a suggestions of how I'd likely deal with an environment like you have mentioned.
2-3 ESX Host servers running ESX enterprise edition.
Another physical server for VC (virtual Centre), VCB (VMWares Backup), Physical Tape Drive also connected to this server.
SAN you'll need one. Something like the Smaller NetApp, or maybe an EMC Clarion CX320 with a mix of SAS and SATA disks (in separate trays, don't mix disk types on the same chanel)
All servers should be of a good standard, eg. by HP DL385g2 if moneys tight or go the DL385g5 and if you brimming with cash maybe the DL380g6 (just not sure about those new Intel CPU's)
As has been mentioned, Virtualisation does put all your eggs in one basket, be sure you buy hardware with at least redundant disks, power, fans. You'll need 4 or nore NIC ports
2x Network switches, eg. HP Procurve 2800 series. You'll need to be able to VLAN and ideally perform simple routing if you have multiple VLANS to address. If not 2x Procurve 1800-g would do the trick.
Again ensure everything is redundant, server hardware, switches, network paths, storage paths.
Use VCB for backup, the new version in ESX4 will offer file level restores which actually work.VCB backs up the entire running server, so you can be sure you can restore it.
Hope this helps
I will make a suggestions of how I'd likely deal with an environment like you have mentioned.
2-3 ESX Host servers running ESX enterprise edition.
Another physical server for VC (virtual Centre), VCB (VMWares Backup), Physical Tape Drive also connected to this server.
SAN you'll need one. Something like the Smaller NetApp, or maybe an EMC Clarion CX320 with a mix of SAS and SATA disks (in separate trays, don't mix disk types on the same chanel)
All servers should be of a good standard, eg. by HP DL385g2 if moneys tight or go the DL385g5 and if you brimming with cash maybe the DL380g6 (just not sure about those new Intel CPU's)
As has been mentioned, Virtualisation does put all your eggs in one basket, be sure you buy hardware with at least redundant disks, power, fans. You'll need 4 or nore NIC ports
2x Network switches, eg. HP Procurve 2800 series. You'll need to be able to VLAN and ideally perform simple routing if you have multiple VLANS to address. If not 2x Procurve 1800-g would do the trick.
Again ensure everything is redundant, server hardware, switches, network paths, storage paths.
Use VCB for backup, the new version in ESX4 will offer file level restores which actually work.VCB backs up the entire running server, so you can be sure you can restore it.
Hope this helps
ASKER
MarkZZ -
Would you happen to have a part # for the NEtapp device you are referring to?
Everything will be on the same VLAN, your purpose for 2 switches is failover?
How is the Clarion/Netapp connected, ethernet-iscsi?
Why four NICS?
thanks
Would you happen to have a part # for the NEtapp device you are referring to?
Everything will be on the same VLAN, your purpose for 2 switches is failover?
How is the Clarion/Netapp connected, ethernet-iscsi?
Why four NICS?
thanks
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thanks for all of the assistance.
Buy 2 identical Servers with 2 Quad Core processors, 32 GB RAM each and an iSCSI SAN Box since you have mentioned fault tolerance as one of your objectives.
Update the thread if you need more information.