ICANWK525B Configure an Enterprise Virtual Computing Environment

ICTSUS5187A Implement Server Virtualisation for a Sustainable ICT system

Installing Virtualisation Software and Virtual Servers

We have already seen OHS issues in terms of router installation.

The same issues arise with installing physical servers:◦ Electrical safety: wires, cabling, connectors◦ Server weight: lift correctly, get two people to lift

if the server is very heavy◦ Ensure that servers are mounted correctly in

racks◦ Potential for fire: maintain servers, especially the

fans that collect dust

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

Good communication with the client is very important

Know who is the correct person to liaise with

Small businesses: typically the owner Mid-sized businesses: manager, IT person Large-sized: most likely the head of IT, the

CTO, other stakeholders in the organisation If you are a consultant, ensure you have

access to the site as required Remember: avoid disruptions to the client

Liaise with the Client

How much space in square metres is needed? How much power in watts or kilowatts will the

complete solution require?◦ Each server◦ The SAN device and the disk drives◦ The switches in the server room◦ The air conditioning

What type of air conditioning?

Is all of this an improvement over the old solution?

Environmental Requirements

Installing a server, like a router, is a complex operation

You need a list (in sequence) of the steps to take, so that you don’t forget to do something

Includes components, tools, consumables, locations, people, actions

Also includes contingency plans:◦ What to do when something goes wrong

Task List

Many issues to consider:◦ Hardware, software, configuration, physical

handling, power and data cabling◦ Liaising with the customer◦ OHS, legal, contractual aspects◦ Business requirements◦ Technical documentation◦ Risks and how to avoid them◦ Producing new documentation of the final server

configuration Needs to be extremely detailed

Task List

Purchase server from vendor Take delivery of server from vendor Unpack server, check for damage Read installation documentation Install internal components (RAM, NICs) If possible, install software and test it Collect equipment & consumables required

to perform the installation Obtain site access

Task List: An Example

Take server, tools, consumables to site Locate server room Physically move server to server room Fit rack-mount slide rails to server and to

rack Lift server (with help) and mount in the rack

according to OHS requirements Connect power according to OHS & building

requirements Connect data and peripheral cabling to

server

Task List: An Example

Power up server, test basic operation If necessary, install software:

◦ Base OS◦ Virtualisation software◦ Management software

Configure networking on the server Migrate existing physical servers to VMs on

the new server◦ Keep existing servers running◦ Plan for a cutover time to switch to VMs without

losing data from existing servers

Task List: An Example

Test that VMs created work Test networking, SAN, other components Cutover to the VMs, disabling access to the old

physical servers◦ Do not lose the old servers: rollback plan!

Test the VMs work in production environment Tidy up the installation: packaging, tools,

consumables Document the changed system Report back to the customer with the

documents

Task List: An Example

We saw the two main server virtualisation products: vSphere and Hyper-V

You must determine if the hardware you purchase can run the virtualisation product you choose

Ditto: can it virtualise the existing OS and applications running on the old physical servers?

Only solution: read the documentation for the virtualisation product

vSphere has minimum hardware requirements

Hardware and Software Compatibility

This depends on which one you choose Hyper-V requires Windows Server 2012 to

be installed first vSphere comes with its own kernel, so it

doesn’t need an OS like Windows Server Documentation:

◦ vSphere 5.0 Installation and Setup◦ Hyper-V Getting Started Guide

Install the Virtualisation Software

Servers are typically locked away in a server room

Often run in “headless” mode: no screen, keyboard or mouse connected

You need the ability to manage the virtualisation server and the VMs running on it

You need to be able to do this remotely

Remote Management

There is usually a client application to access and manage the virtualisation software remotely: web interface, or local application

Manage the Virtualisation Software

Server OS are designed to be managed remotely: both physical and VMs

Typically a client on the admin’s desktop which gives an interface on the server

Remote GUI tools: RDP (remote desktop), VNC, web-based remote desktop tools

Server OS Management

Enabling RDP on Windows Server 2008

Connecting to RDP from Client

Connecting to RDP from Client

System security is as important on virtual machines as it is on physical machines

Viruses don’t care if they are runnin on a virtual machine or on a physical machine

You need to turn on automatic updates on all your virtual machines so that they stay patched and thus protected against malware

Patching the OS

Windows Server 2008 Updates

Windows 7 Updates