[NTLUG:Discuss] Virtualization recomendations

[Fred Hensley]

Bob Netherton wrote:

--------snip----------------

>> 1.  No support yet for software RAID. 
>>     
>
> Is this in the domU or dom0 ?  We don't have that limitation at all.  In
> fact we use ZFS in a lot of our prototypes without any difficulty -
> except that ZFS likes memory - a lot :-)   So you limit the size of the
> arc cache so it fits in the dom0 reserve and you are good.
>
>   
Hmm... Well I stand (actually , "sit") corrected... :)  According to
this link, there is some level of software RAID support for the
commercial version, which is encouraging.

http://community.citrix.com/blogs/tag/xen%20training

Here's the relevant bit:

-----------------  Begin Citrix text --------------
Does your product support software RAID?

Yes, the product allows the use of the Linux mdadm tools to create
software RAID volumes. A technote on setting up software RAID can be
found in the Citrix XenServer Knowledge Base. We generally recommend
that you use a true hardware RAID solution for the best system performance.

Does your product support hardware RAID?

Yes, the product supports using standard hardware RAID controllers that
are included with OEM systems. We also recommend 3Ware and Areca
controllers for 3rd party RAID controllers. You can find a complete list
of adapters on our online HCL. Our HCL can be found at
http://hcl.xensource.com

Does your product support HostRAID or FakeRAID hardware/software RAID
solutions?

No, our product does not currently support using lower end
hardware/software HostRAID or FakeRAID solutions. We recommend using
true hardware RAID controllers with our products.

---------- End Citrix Text ------------------

Early on, I was attempting to use a FakeRAID card that commonly ships
with several Dell servers, and was disappointed it wouldn't work out as
well as it did for the open source version.

... snip...

>   
>> 3.  The current management console for the commerical product is a .NET 
>> application, and is not Mono compatible.  
>>     
>
> This is where I depart company with our friends from Citrix.  There is
> no reason to bring in Windows just for this use.    And just
> because VMware does it is no excuse.  No reason you can't point a
> browser at a dom0 configuration service written in java and transport
> the console via one of the standard protocols.  RDP comes to mind for
> the graphics consoles on Windows.  We don't need no stikin' graphics
> consoles :-)
>
>   
If I remember correctly, the v3.2 version of the commercial Xen was
managed via webclient, but beginning with V4 they went .Net.  I read on
the xensource forums that they were moving back to a webclient version,
but with the acquisition am sure they are in for some more delays until
the proverbial dust settles.
>> 4.  Significantly less number of importable appliance (.xva) images.  
>> There are a few, but nothing compared to the hundreds currently 
>> available from VMware.
>>     
>
> No kidding.  These things show up with the frequency of youtube videos.
> I wonder what our friends from Redmond are going to say as they get
> into the market.   IANAL, but I would think redistribution of the
> Windows binaries is way in conflict with your EULA.
>
>
>   
I neglected to mention earlier that the commercial Xen product, out of
the box, fully supports quick and easy vanilla installations of CentOs
(v4.5 & v5),  Debian (Sarge & Etch), RHEL (v4.1,v4.4,v4.5,v5),  SLES10
SP1, and the various Windows incarnations... For NTLUG folks, knowing
that I can quickly install a "Xen-i-fied version" of several favorite
**nixs flavors might be helpful to know..

> Appreciate the honest evaluation.  Thanks for sharing.
>
>
> Bob
>
>   

Regards,

-Fred-