european organization for nuclear research virtualization review and discussion omer khalid 17 th...

European Organization for Nuclear Research

Virtualization Review and Discussion

Omer Khalid

17th June 2010


Outline

Requirements Grid use case Virtualization basics Technology overview Constraints and Refinement Brainstorming and discussion


Requirements

Core

1. Support for Linux and Windows

2. Live snapshots of VM

3. Automated Provisioning from a template

4. Public IP Networking

Optional (?)

1. Live migration of VM and Storage file

2. Sys Admin portal to manage cluster

3. User access portal


Grid Deployment Use case

• Linux cluster of 20 machines

• VM requirement for Linux only

• Web-portal based VM creation/shutdown

• IP Networking via additional interfaces per server

• Workflow:

• User logs on to web portal with NICE credentials

• Select memory, disk and OS type and deploy/terminate

• Using Vgrid/Xen software


Snapshot 1


Snapshot 2


Virtualization Overview

• To virtualize an OS:• Kernel calls has to be interrupted and redirected to virtual processor,

memory, I/O access

• Different techniques:• Para-virtualization: Patching the kernel to replace those calls

• Works for open-source platforms such as Linux, very fast• Xen open source, kvm

• Bit Translation: patching the binary calls on the fly• Works for legacy and closed source OS like Windows, slow• VMWare based technologies

• Emulation: emulate the underlying H/W and presents a virtual H/W• KVM/Vbox uses this for Windows, slower

• Hardware Virtual Machine: interrupt handling at processor level for any OS type (Intel-VT, AMD Pacifica)

• Citrix Xen, VMWare, Vbox, Kvm


How it stacks up?


Features List

Cluster Management1. Live Migration

2. Storage Migration

3. High Availability

4. Fault Tolerance

5. Network Shield zones

6. Distributed Scheduling

7. Memory Optimization

8. Hot Power Management

9. Recovery and Conversion Tools

Cloud Management1. Federation of clusters

2. Automatic Load Sharing

3. Standard API for Automation

4. Costing per Hour Usage

5. Elastic Capacity

6. User Access Portals

7. Accounting/Chargeback


Candidates

• VMWare

• ESXi Server, vSphere (advance, enterprise)

• Citrix Xen

• XenServer 5.6, LabManager

• Microsoft

• Server 2008 Hyper-V, Citrix Essentials

• Eucalyptus

• EOS, EEC

• Hypervisor only• Virtual Box, KVM


VMWare Products

• Hypervisor: ESXi or ESX

• Cluster: vSphere Platform• Vmotion + Storage Vmotion

• User access: vCenter LabManager

• Self-service portal for users• Web based to create and deploy virtual machines

• Roles and Rights for access control

• LDAP/Active Directory integration


VMWare


Citrix

• Hypervisor: XenServer or Hyper-V

• XenServer: Free, Advance, Enterprise editions• Free version provides live migration. Live memory snapshots only

in enterprise

• Cluster: Xen Center + Essentials

• User Access: Citrix Lab Manager• Similar to Vmware

• User driven

• Cost advantage


Citrix


Microsoft

• Hypervisor: HyperV - Windows Server 2008 R2• Support Xen patched Linux images• Up to 31 GB memory support vs VMWare’s 256 GB• Intel or AMD processor must be virtualization enabled• Standalone or Server editions• Could be mixed with Citrix

• Cluster: System Center Virtual Machine Manager• For administrator

• Also Citrix essentials

• User Access: not clear

• CERN IT deployed CVI


Eucalyptus

• Hypervisor: ESXi, XenServer, KVM

• Clustering and User access:

• Eucalyptus Enterprise

• Features:

• Mixed hypervisor management

• Storage area network support

• User/Group Management

• Accounting/Quota Managment


EE Users


EE Accounting


Feature Comparison


Citrix Comparison


Possible Cost Combinations

1. XenServer Advance/Enterprise + LabManager

• Cost lower then VMWare, features equivalent, separate technical support

2. Xen/Vsphere + Eucalyptus EE

3. Vsphere Standard/Enterprise + Vcenter LabManager

• Expensive, rich in feature, technical support included

4. Hyper-V Enterprise, Citrix Essentials + LabManager

• Using CERN HyperV license, cost same as Citrix, lower features


Conclusion

• Vmware has the best features especially performance for Windows but higher costs

• Citrix only or in combination with Eucalyptus EE looks promising

• In-line with Open-source software spirit

• Microsoft solution only if we re-use CERN IT license

• Setting up a test bed and to test drive trial versions

Open Discussion - Brainstorm

european organization for nuclear research virtualization review and discussion omer khalid 17 th...

Documents

european organization

nuclear research vmware

nuclear research snapshot

kvm slide

discussion slide

accountingchargeback

user access portal slide

vgridxen software slide