In recent years, we have seen an overwhelming number of TV commercials that promise that the Cloud can help with many problems, including some family issues. What stands behind the terms “Cloud” and “Cloud Computing,” and what we can actually expect from this phenomenon? A group of students of the Computer Systems Technology department and Dr. T. Malyuta, whom has been working with the Cloud technologies since its early days, will provide an overview of the business and technological aspects of the Cloud.
2. What is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine (VM) is a software computer that, like a
physical computer, runs an operating system and
applications. Every virtual machine has virtual devices that
provide the same functionality as physical hardware and
have additional benefits in terms of portability,
manageability, and security.
3. What is Virtualization?
Virtualization means creation of a virtual version
of a device or resource, such as a server, storage
device, network, and software (including
operating system). This allows physical hardware
resources to be shared by multiple applications
(VMs).
Hypervisor: virtual machine manager (VMM)
A program that allows multiple operating systems to
share a single hardware host.
Example: VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM
Non Virtual Machine and VM Configurations
4. Advantages of Virtualization
Reduce capital and operating costs
Deliver high application availability
Minimize or eliminate downtime.
Increase IT productivity, efficiency, agility and responsiveness
Speed and simplify application and resource provisioning
Support business continuity and disaster recovery
Enable centralized management
5. Types of Hypervisor
1. Type 1
Bare-metal Hypervisor: runs directly on
the system hardware.
Examples: VMware ESXi, Citrix XenServer.
2. Type 2
Hosted Hypervisor: runs on a host
operating system.
Examples: VMware Workstation, VMware
Fusion, Virtualbox, Microsoft Hyper-V.
Difference Between Type 1 and 2 Hypervisors
6. Server Virtualization – What is it?
Server virtualization is a virtualization technique that
presents a physical server as if partitioned into a number
of small, virtual servers with the help of virtualization
software. In server virtualization, each physical server runs
multiple operating system instances at the same time.
7. Traditional Storage
Traditional storage:
Directly attached to servers and cannot
be shared beyond the physical server.
Difficult for administrators to assign
storage requirements for each
application.
All applications running on physical server
are forced to use the same storage, with
same storage characteristics.
8. Solution to Traditional Storage - Storage Virtualization
Solution to traditional storage is storage
virtualization:
Adds a new layer of software and/or
hardware between storage systems
and servers.
A centralized storage enables servers
to share centralized resources, so that
applications no longer need to know
on which specific drives, partitions or
storage subsystems their data resides.
Storage virtualization is commonly
used in storage area networks (SANs).
9. Storage Area Network (SAN)
Storage Area Networks are the most comprehensive centralized
storage solution. It allows for true storage sharing since data is
stored at the block level. This means applications, including the OS
can directly access the storage device as if it was locally attached.
Each block can be controlled as an individual hard drive. These Blocks are
controlled by server based operating systems and each block can be
individually formatted with the required file system.
10. Network Virtualization – Standard vSwitch
VMware Network Virtualization provides
“virtual networks” to virtual machines
similar to how server virtualization
(hypervisor) provides “virtual machines” to
the operating system.
A network standard switch, virtual switch,
or vSwitch, is responsible for connecting
virtual machines to a virtual network. A
vSwitch works similar to a physical switch,
with some limitations, and controls how
virtual machines communicate with one
another.
vSphere Standard vSwitch
11. Network Virtualization – Distributed vSwitch
Distributed vSwitch, which are
also known as VMware vDS,
enable more features than
standard vSwitches, sometimes
called VMware vSS.
A standard vSwitch works within
one ESXi host only.
Distributed vSwitches allow
different hosts to use the switch
as long as they exist within the
same host cluster
vSphere Distributed vSwitch
12. Summary
A virtual machine (VM) is a software computer that, like a physical computer, runs an
operating system and applications.
Virtualization means creation of a virtual version of a device or resource, such as a
server, storage device, network, and software (including operating system).
Two types of Hypervisor: Bare-metal Hypervisor and Hosted Hypervisor.
Server virtualization is a virtualization technique that presents a physical server as if
partitioned into a number of small, virtual servers with the help of virtualization
software.
Solution to traditional storage is storage virtualization which adds a new layer of
software and/or hardware between storage systems and servers.
Network Virtualization provides “virtual networks” to virtual machines similar to how
server virtualization (hypervisor) provides “virtual machines” to the operating system.
13. Virtualization and the Cloud
The encapsulation offered in virtualization and the mobility
found in this technology enables a live virtual machine to be
moved with no downtime for the application – the
dependency on the Cloud infrastructure is minimal.
Virtualization powers cloud computing and increases IT
scalability, agility, flexibility and performance while creating a
major cost savings. With server, storage, and network
virtualization, cloud computing enables companies to react
faster to the needs of business, while driving greater
operational efficiencies.
14. References
"Virtualization." VMware. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015. <http://www.vmware.com/virtualization.html>.
"CLOUD COMPUTING AND VIRTUALIZATION." JAN KREMER CONSULTING SERVICES. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
<http://jkremer.com/White%20Papers/Cloud%20Computing%20and%20Virtualization%20White%20Paper%20JKCS.pdf>
.
Freeman, Bill. "Best Hardware for Server Virtualisation." TouchPoint. N.p., 17 Feb. 2015. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
<http://touchpoint.com.au/blog/best-hardware-for-server-virtualisation/>.
Siebert, Eric. "Selecting CPU, processors and memory for virtualized environments." TechTarget. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov.
2015. <http://searchservervirtualization.techtarget.com/tip/Selecting-CPU-processors-and-memory-for-virtualized-
environments>.
"Centralized Storage." Netcal. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. <http://www.netcal.com/centralized-storage/>.
Jorgenson, Petra. "Virtual Networking 101: Understanding VMware Networking." Pluralsight. N.p., 30 May 2012. Web. 20
Nov. 2015. <http://blog.pluralsight.com/virtual-networking-101-understanding-vmware-networking>.
Davis, David. "VMware's standard and distributed virtual switches: What resellers need to know." TechTarget. N.p., Feb.
2010. Web. 20 Nov. 2015. <http://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/tip/VMwares-standard-and-distributed-virtual-
switches-What-resellers-need-to-know>.
"How do switches, vSwitches and distributed vSwitches differ?" TechTarget. N.p., 11 June 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
<http://searchvmware.techtarget.com/photostory/2240185944/Getting-VMware-terminology-straight/9/How-do-
switches-vSwitches-and-distributed-vSwitches-differ>.
16. Server Virtualization – Software Requirements
Software Vendors: VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer
More similarities between all of the software vendors than differences
All those software platforms have the ability to manage processor, memory, network, and disk
resources.
All support both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating environments, and some support Solaris
Unix as well
The only possible difference between software vendors are performance, reliability, and advanced
management.
VMware is obviously the leader in virtualization platform
17. Server Virtualization – Hardware Requirements
Choosing the best hardware for virtualization begins with a server’s memory and CPU. The
lack of memory or CPU can directly affect performance.
Memory:
Memory is often the most limiting factor in the number of virtual machines a server can host.
Ensuring an adequate amount of fast RAM plays a huge role in the server’s virtualization
capabilities.
CPU:
Selecting a CPU with multiple cores can significantly increase performance and throughput.
There are two major CPU brands in the market, Intel and AMD. Both Intel and AMD have
integrated virtualization extensions, Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel-VT) and AMD
Virtualization (AMD-V).
Choosing a right CPU brand depends on your current environment. If your current servers
already use a particular brand, it is a good idea to just stick with it because one VM running
on Intel can not be moved to AMD, and vice verse.
18. Network Virtualization - Standard vSwitch features
The standard vSwitch offers following features:
Layer 2 forwarding
802.1Q VLAN tagging
Multicast support
EtherChannel
Load balancing
Tx rate limiting
Port security
CDP
……..
19. Network Virtualization – Distributed vSwitch features
Unlike standard vSwitches, which can be managed from the local host, DvSwitches must be
created and controlled through vCenter Server.
VMware vCenter Server provides centralized management of vSphere virtual infrastructure.
IT administrators can ensure security and availability, simplify day-to-day tasks, and reduce
the complexity of managing virtual infrastructure).
Distributed vSwitch offers all features standard vSwitch have + following features:
Centralized configuration for all network switch ports, across the entire virtual infrastructure.
Private VLANs.
Support for third-party switches (with the only option today being the Cisco Nexus 1000-V).