Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2: Technical Overview

Vu Nguyen Cao SonEPG Technical Specialisti-sonvu@microsoft.com

“Virtualization without good management is more dangerous than not usingvirtualization in the first place.”

– TOM BITTMAN, GARTNER VP AND ANALYST, 9 MAY, 2007

{ }Virtualization Will Drive Major Change in IT Infrastructure and Operations in the Next Three Years, Tom Bittman, May 8, 2007

Virtualization

Maximize ResourcesCentralized virtual machine deployment and management for Hyper-V, Virtual Server, and VMware ESX serversIntelligent placement of Virtual MachinesFast and reliable P2V and V2V conversionComprehensive application and service-level monitoring with Operations ManagerIntegrated Performance and Resource Optimization (PRO) of VMs

Increase AgilityRapid provisioning of new and virtual machines with templatesCentralized library of infrastructure componentsLeverage and extend existing storage infrastructure and clustersAllow for delegated management and access of VMs

Leverage SkillsFamiliar interface, common foundation Monitor physical and virtual machines from one console Fully scriptable using Windows PowerShell

A centralized, heterogeneous management solution for the virtual datacenter

System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008

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Hyper-VCluster

ManagementSelection

Filters

Context Sensitive Actions

VMInformation

VMwareCluster

VirtualMachinesVirtual

Server

Virtual Machine Manager Server

Connector

Self Service Web Portal

Administrator’s Console

Management Interfaces

SAN Storage

Operator’s Console

Web Console

Windows PowerShell

Operations Manager Server

Virtual Server Host

VM

VM

VMM Library Server

VM Template

ISO ScriptVHD

VMware VI3

Virtual Center Server

ESX Host

VM VM VM VM

VM VM VM VM

VM VM VM VM

Windows® PowerShell

VMM 2008 Architecture

Host ConfigurationWizard based experience for adding hosts

Remote installation and configuration of virtualization software and management interfacesRemotely enable the Hyper-V role

Easy management of Hyper-V host clustersAdd entire Hyper-V host cluster in a single stepAutomatic detection of node additions/removals

Management of Windows Server 2008 Failover clusters for Hyper-V

Specify number of node failures you want to sustain but still have all your HA VMs runningIntelligent Placement ensures that new HA VM creation will not overcommit the clusterNode failures automatically trigger overcommit re-calculation

Conversions: P2V and V2V

Intuitive and easy to use tools provide:Core feature of VMM, no additional infrastructure or costs per conversion Wizard based experienceReconfigure storage, memory, CPU, etc.Efficient disk copy Preserves network settings and MAC addressesAutomatable through PowerShell

Supported platforms:Live - Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008Offline - Windows 2000 ServerSMP and x64 sources

Delegation and Self Service

Administrators control access through policies which designate capabilitiesDelegated Administrators

Manage a scoped environmentSelf service user

Web user interface Manage their own VMsQuota to limit VMsScripting through PowerShell

Library

Repository for all VM building blocksVHDsOffline VMsISOsSysprep Answer FilesPowerShell Scripts with Run optionTemplates

Use centralized or distributed Windows files servers as libraries

Move/copy/delete/modify files directly in the file systemVMM tracks changes and provides physical and logical viewVMM stamps objects with a ID to uniquely track the object

VMM Scripting Through PowerShell

Microsoft’s command shell for scripting and developmentConsistent scripting syntax

Encapsulate platform differencesVMM PowerShell Snap-in

170+ command-line functionsFoundation for VMM administrator’s console and Self Service PortalAll PowerShell operations are logged and audited

Monitoring and ReportingDiscovery of Hosts, Virtual Machines and Virtual Machine Manager componentsPerformance and Health Monitoring, Reports, etc.Application awarenessPerformance and resource calibration and optimization

Performance and Resource Optimization (PRO)

Workload and application aware resource optimizationExtensible through the Operations Manager 2007 MP framework Create policies that VMM acts upon tips automatically or manuallyMinimize downtime and accelerating time to resolution. Enables partners to deliver value add to our mutual customers

Performance and Resource Optimization

PRO Partners

HBA Performance Monitoring

Hardware performance monitoring

Hardware performance monitoring

Application Performance Monitoring

VMware Security Hardening

Virtualization Servers(3 + 1 Servers)

Brocade Management Pack for Microsoft System CenterScenario - Link Congestion alerts

VHDs ResideOn SAN

DomainController

Ethe

rnet

VMs migrate based on Pro Tip

VMM intelligent placement indicates optimum host

Fabric alerts sent to System Center Operations Manager

Brocade VMM PRO Tip Initiated

Link Congestion

Implement PRO remediation

What does this mean for my

Virtual Machines??

Specific advice for the VM

administrator!

Opportunity to automate as

needed