Using Virtual Machines to Serve Data: Difference between revisions

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==Introduction==
==Introduction==


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=== Choosing a hypervisor ===
=== Choosing a hypervisor ===


In order to serve data you will need to use either the VMware Server or ESX hypervisor since these allow incoming network connections to be made with servers running in VMs hosted by the hypervisor. The ''Server'' hypervisor is available for free while the ''ESX'' hypervisor costs money. For many uses ''Server'' is likely adequate in terms of performance and is almost certainly simpler to configure. You should be able to install it on a typical Linux or Windows computer in less than an hour. Choose ''Server'' if you need to get a server up on a Windows XP host or if ease of configuration and maintenance are more important than maximum performance. However, the ''ESX'' hypervisor is the faster option. If you are using the Hyrax/VM combination as part of a security policy that requires the server to be isolated from the data and other network services, then you should consider this option.  
In order to serve data you will need to use either the [http://www.vmware.com/products/server/ VMware Server] or [ESX] hypervisor since these allow incoming network connections to be made with servers running in VMs hosted by the hypervisor. The ''Server'' hypervisor is available for free while the ''ESX'' hypervisor costs money. For many uses ''Server'' is likely adequate in terms of performance and is almost certainly simpler to configure. You should be able to install it on a typical Linux or Windows computer in less than an hour. Choose ''Server'' if you need to get a server up on a Windows XP host or if ease of configuration and maintenance are more important than maximum performance. However, the ''ESX'' hypervisor is the faster option. If you are using the Hyrax/VM combination as part of a security policy that requires the server to be isolated from the data and other network services, then you should consider this option.
 
 


=== Data access ===
=== Data access ===

Revision as of 18:39, 2 January 2009

Introduction

Since we have chosen the VMware platform for our virtual machines we're limited to their hypervisors. We choose VMware because they provide a good balance of support for linux and Windows XP hypervisors that can be used to serve data as well as hypervisors for Windows, Mac OS/X and Linux for use in a workshoop environment. I all but the Mac OS/X case, there is a hyperviors available for free and the OS/X 'Fusion' hypervisor can be used for 30 days without charge.

  • What is a virtual machine? What is a Hypervisor?

Using the Hyrax and Virtual Machine to server data

Using the Hyrax and Virtual Machine (VM) software combination in a production environment is hard to describe in a completely general way since each such environment will have its own unique characteristics. However, there are several common cases that we will cover here along with some basic choices about additional infrastructure you'll need to add to your computer(s). You'll need to select a hypervisor within which the VM will run and you'll need to determine how that VM will gain access to your data.

Choosing a hypervisor

In order to serve data you will need to use either the VMware Server or [ESX] hypervisor since these allow incoming network connections to be made with servers running in VMs hosted by the hypervisor. The Server hypervisor is available for free while the ESX hypervisor costs money. For many uses Server is likely adequate in terms of performance and is almost certainly simpler to configure. You should be able to install it on a typical Linux or Windows computer in less than an hour. Choose Server if you need to get a server up on a Windows XP host or if ease of configuration and maintenance are more important than maximum performance. However, the ESX hypervisor is the faster option. If you are using the Hyrax/VM combination as part of a security policy that requires the server to be isolated from the data and other network services, then you should consider this option.

Data access

  • How do I run the Hyrax virtual appliance in a production environment?
    • Using the VMware Server or ESC Hypervisors
    • Serving data stored outside the Virtual Machine

Workshops and the Hyrax and virtual machine software

  • How do I use the Hyrax VM in a workshop?
    • Using the VMware Workstation, Fusion or Player hypervisors
    • Using a web browser to look at data
    • Getting sample clients
    • Powerpoint presentations for use with the VM