Virtualization - Benefits, Barriers, Best Practices and Beyond

Presented by:Marc Grant, Manager, I.T.

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Joel Stockwell, OS / WAN Analyst

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Vin Sundaram, Assoc. Dir. of IT Operations & Infrastruture.

Baker Botts L.L.P.

Sponsored by Kraft Kennedy

April 2, 2009Questions/Feedback: ILTA@BGLLP.COM

AgendaIntroductionVirtualization at Presenter firmsVirtualization BasicsPlanning and Design Best PracticesBarriers to VirtualizationOther Virtualization Opportunities (Desktops/Applications)Lessons LearnedThe Future of VirtualizationA word from the event SponsorQ&A

Virtualization at Presenter firmsBracewell & Giuliani LLP

Data Centers (Primary and Secondary) are running ESX 3.0.3 with Virtual Center and VMotion configuration.

Primary Data Center - HP Proliant DL585s (Quad Dual Core AMD processors with 32GB of RAM). FC SAN HP EVA 6000 4GB Fabric. Cisco GB Switching environment Catalyst 4500 series.Secondary Data Center - HP Proliant BL25s (Dual Dual Core AMD processors with 12GB of RAM). FC SAN HP EVA 6000 2GB Fabric. Cisco GB Switching environment Catalyst 4500 series.25:1 Ratio – DC's, File/Print, DM, Elite, Citrix, IIS/SharePoint, and others.

Satellite offices are running ESX 3.0.3.HP Proliant DL385 G2 Dual Dual-Core processors with 8GB of RAM. FC and iSCSI connected SAN HP MSA 1500 (cs and i) 2GB Fabric.4:1 Ratio – DC, File/Print, DM Cache, Security (IP Cameras)

Virtualization at Presenter firmsVinson & Elkins LLP

Centralized Two node Peer Data site utilizing a Flat NetworkBlade Servers with dual Quad core Intel Processors and 32 GB RAM running Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-VStorage provided by a fiber channel connected Dell/EMC SANVM to Host ratio determined by monitored resource utilization (Planned between 1:1 up to 15:1 Host to guests)Staged deployment Plan

Standard application servers (In Production)Clustering / Replication Implementation (Testing / POC)FC attached and Mission Critical systems (Planned)

Virtualization at Presenter firmsBaker Botts L.L.P.

Data Centers (primary and backup) is running ESX 3.5 with Virtual Center including DRS, HA & Vmotion.Data Center Virtualization on Blades with SAN connected (FC) storage for Guests. Each Server has two Dual Core processors and 36 GB RAM. ESX runs on local Disk but all Guests on SANWhat is virtualized? - Original goal was everything but SQL/Exchange. (Now we have some SQL/Exchange Virtualized)Virtualization Ratios: 16 Physical servers hosting 150+ servers. (Note: Includes "headroom" for failover)Separate DMZ VMWare farmLocal & International Offices operating on 2 node MS Virtual Server Cluster

Virtualization BasicsWhat is Virtualization?

Why go virtual?Hardware benefits.Maintenance, Patching and capacity management.

Disaster Recovery / High Availability.

Why Not?

Planning and Design Best PracticesAsk for vendor resources – Calculators, Planners and roadmaps.Monitoring / Management – Worth the effort before you migrate.Find the Hardware sweet spot.Start small, Get comfortable.P2V – Use the tools, they really work…..but have a backup.Cross department support. Networks, storage and applicationsTest, Test, Test.Virtual Server Policy.

Barriers to VirtualizationMyths and Reality

NeedMyth – Under-utilization and space constraints are the only reasons for virtualization.Reality – Has become a best practice for hardware/software life cycle management, high availability, and disaster recovery.

Technology MaturityMyth - Not a mature enough technology to deploy in a production environment.Reality – Has been around since the 60's (think mainframe) and on the x86 platform for nearly a decade. ESX, XenServer, and Hyper-V are each on at least the second generation of their respective platforms.

Vendor SupportMyth - Few vendors will support their application on a virtual server.Reality – More vendors supporting applications on hypervisors. Many are packaging their application as a virtual appliance. Microsoft's virtualization support policy has increased adoption (KB897615).

Barriers to VirtualizationMyths and Reality

I/O Intensive ApplicationsMyth –SQL and Exchange should not be virtualized.Reality – Mission Critical applications are prime candidates for virtualization. Review system requirements and performance first. Some cases merit a 1:1 ratio.

In-house Skill setMyth – Developing engineers and administrators takes too long and costs too much.Reality – Virtualization is available on common OS, storage, and networking platforms. Training, certification tracks, publications, and technical sites are readily available for the major vendors.

CostsMyth – The initial cost will be too much.Reality – Most hypervisors now offer a free platform. Microsoft licensing provides reduction in cost using Enterprise or Data Center. Hardware can be re-used.

Other Virtualization Opportunities (Desktops/Applications)

Desktop VirtualizationWhy – Reduce cost of management (deployment, patch management, security), extend hardware lifecycle, provide seamless user interface, mobilityHow – Session Based Computing (SBC), OS Streaming, True Client Virtualization, PC BladeBarriers – Graphics, local devices, initial investment, in-house skill set

Application VirtualizationWhy – Reduce cost of management (deployment, patch management, security), application isolation, license managementHow – SBC, Application Streaming, Portable Applications, Barriers – Graphics, application packaging, OS integrated applications, in-house skill set

Lessons LearnedNon Technical

Understand your RPO's/RTO's and SLA's (Availability and DR Expectations)Vendor and Stakeholder (Internal) support

TechnicalI/O Constraints

Backup and restore challengesStorage performance to ensure IOPS for app needs (SQL, Exchange, etc.)More Hardware Level Virtualization - even if 1 to 1.VMDK's vs. RDM (Raw Disk)

Too much Engineering is a good thing - and include Networking, Storage, OS Experts et al.Learn Command line utilitiesProcessor choices are importantDon't forget the "headroom"Security challenges

The Future of VirtualizationHardware Level Virtualization cost is almost $0Cost is in functionality/management componentsMove towards higher density CPU serversConvergence of Network and Storage Fabric"ParaVirtualization"More Virtual AppliancesVirtualization is well beyond "hardware virtualization"Desktop VirtualizationSoftware VirtualizationVirtualization/Cloud Computing/IaaSBeware the term "Virtual"

!!! What does a Virtualized Server Farm look like !!!

Kraft Kennedy Kraft Kennedy

Since 1988, Kraft & Kennedy, Inc. has provided business and technology-related consultingservices to the legal community. By combining outstanding technical skills with an intimate knowledge of our clients’ business and information needs, we have tailored solutions thatenhance attorney productivity, effectiveness, and client value. Over the years, we have learned the key to a successfully designed and implemented information system is as much a focus on the business needs of the client as a focus on technology.

Headquartered in New York, Kraft Kennedy has a nationwide presence with resources inHouston, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta and Boston.

Kraft Kennedy Kraft Kennedy

Microsoft 2007 Offerings• Office 2007 Deployment Strategies• Exchange 2007 Lessons Learned• Sharepoint 2007 Intranet Implementations

Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity• DR/BC Administrative Plans• Data Center Design & Planning• Remote Access Options• Virtualization & Storage

Enterprise Content Management• Retention• E-mail Management & Archiving

Desktop Management• Zero Touch Desktop Deployment• Profile Management• Application Virtualization

Kraft Kennedy Kraft Kennedy Virtualization Consideration

Cost savings with server consolidationDisaster RecoveryTest & Development“Green IT”

Kraft Kennedy Kraft Kennedy Assess Current Infrastructure Timing

New InstallationsExisting Installation

ContactTed Glutz, Kraft Kennedy Regional Manager713-221-5350glutz@kraftkennedy.com

Q&A

Helpful LinksCalculators and Planning:

HP Proliant Server Sizing - http://h71019.www7.hp.com/activeanswers/cache/120132-0-0-0-121.htmlVMWare Virtualization TCO and ROI Calculator - https://roianalyst.alinean.com/ent_02/AutoLogin.do?d=593411470991915416&q=VMWare%20ROI%20CalculatorsHyper-V Planning and Deployment Resources - http://www.ditii.com/2009/02/01/hyper-v-planning-deployment-resourceVirtualization Shootout - http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/98879/virtualization-shootout-part-1.htmlWindows Server Virtualization Calculators - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/calculator.mspx

Documents and Publications:VMWare Resources - http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.htmlControl Sprawl - http://esj.com/articles/2007/09/18/best-practices-to-avoid-virtual-sprawl.aspxESX and Cisco - http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/solutions/Enterprise/Data_Center/vmware/VMware.htmlHP Virtualization with VMWare - http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/servers/vmware/index.htmlESX and HP Storage - http://h71019.www7.hp.com/ActiveAnswers/downloads/4AA1-0818ENW.pdfMS Hyper-V: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv.aspxCitrix Xen server: http://www.citrix.com/English/ps2/products/product.asp?contentID=683148

Sites and Communities:http://virtrix.blogspot.comhttp://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtnhttp://www.vmware-land.comhttp://www.esxguide.com/esxhttp://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/hyperv-community.aspx