Posted by on May 29, 2008 under Uncategorized | 
I find myself often having to defend Virtualization, regardless of the platform used, in situations where there are performance issues with a particular system. Considering that I manage close to 50 virtualized servers in this environment, and only one is noting a performance degradation, speaks to me clearly that the problem is not the virtualization layer. However, numbers don’t (typically) lie, so I thought some documented performance numbers were in order. Besides, I’d like to see it myself.
My goal is to contrast the performance numbers between bare metal, and virtualized guest(s), and also between different virtualization apps for those guest. Performance will be focused on processor, memory, disk, and network. I’d also like to look at capabilities when implementing Live Migration, although due to cost constraints that will just be with KVM.
This is going to take a while.
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Posted by on May 19, 2008 under Uncategorized |
As soon as you install a Linux server, you’ll want to install openssh for remote administration. On Ubuntu, it’s a simple:
sudo apt-get install openssh-server
However, mean people all over the world want to hack into your system, and SSH, while fairly secure, it a popular target. There are some basic step to securing this critical service. I’ll briefly go over them here, specifically installing DenyHosts and Fail2Ban. Read more details online for advanced configurations. Here are the basics:
Install some good log scanning tools:
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Posted by on May 15, 2008 under Uncategorized |
In the previous post, we got to the basics of installing KVM. Next we’ll look at configuring your network bridge so that your Virtual computers are connected on your network just like your physical computers.
Personally, it took me a while to figure out the ins and outs of this part, exactly how to get it to do the networking the way I wanted. Many compare KVM to VMWare, and want similar functionality. My focus was on having multiple physical network cards, with multiple VMs also using the multiple NICs. I found different documents that discussed these areas, but not an all inclusive step-by-step; that is what I hope to put together here.
Steps 1 - 3 were in the previous post, so moving to step 4:
4 - Configure your network interface:
To connect your VM’s virtual network card(s) to your physical network card(s), there is still a bit more work to do.
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Posted by on May 7, 2008 under Uncategorized |
In this article we will cover installation and setup of KVM on Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Server. Ubuntu (Canonical) made the decision a few months back that starting with 8.04, KVM would be their primary virtualization platform. I applaud this decision as it really show the foresight they have. The KVM virtualization model is the way of the future (I do another article on why) and it is nice to see my favorite distro on board with that effort. And on the getting started:
Note: See alternate install at the bottom for the latest version of KVM from source
To get started with KVM, you need a Linux server installed to support it. I will base this (and just about all articles on the subject) on Ubuntu Server, now at version 8.04 LTS. Generally, and distro will do. Ubutnu currently has KVM rev 62 in it’s repositories (which is good) so it will make the process easier. Remember, this is just supposed to be a step-by-step guide for beginners:
1 - Install Ubuntu Server.
Even if you are going to use this system as your desktop, I recommend still installing Ubuntu Server first.
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Posted by on under Uncategorized |
I am going to start a series of articles covering KVM Virtualization. Currently, there is a scattering of information on the subject; a geek who is working in the area has an advantage over someone trying to get started. I know - I have been preaching KVM to the development staff where I work (and others) who primarily use (gasp!) MS Virtual PC/Server. In practice it is a bit difficult to get started - expecially when you are accustomed to working with XP/ Vista, and MS Virtual PC. The power of KVM on Linux is aparent, but getting it up and running, where it isn’t in the way, is beyond the simple world of point-and-click that is provided in the Windows world. Once you move out of the gui, the real power of the KVM platform is apparent.
So, for all my friends who want a step by step guide, I am going to give it to you - now you won’t have any more excuses.
Planned articles:
- installation
- complete network configuration
- disk drive options (differencing, roll-back)
- production management in an IT environment
– including VNC/ SSH use, Openbox, Live Migration
- KQEMU, when KVM isn’t an option
- Performance comparisons
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