Neues BETA-TESTPROGRAMM für VirtualCenter für den GSX-Server

[HartmutSchaumburg]

Die Innovationen gehen weiter:

Es gibt ein VirtualCenter BETA-TESTPROGRAMM für den GSX-Server


Hier die Facts:

VirtualCenter Overview
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VMware VirtualCenter enables enterprises to manage their virtual machines and underlying virtualization platforms from a central, secure location. We call the software a virtual infrastructure management solution because it provides a unified, real-time view of many systems, and because it enables a single, logical pool of computing, storage, and networking resources.

More specifically, VirtualCenter provides the following features:

* Centralized management and performance monitoring of large Virtual Machine environments through a single UI, and the ability to automate administration tasks.

* Secure access control through integration with existing authentication
mechanisms, and through the creation of user groups and delegation of permissions.

* Instant Provisioning through the use of a template library that quickly
deploys a new Virtual Machine, ensures consistent configurations, and allows specific settings to be customized.

* Zero-Downtime Maintenance through the use of VMotion enabled ESX hosts that can migrate running Virtual Machines across different hosts without service interruptions.

Enhancements in VirtualCenter K2
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The VirtualCenter K2 release has been enhanced with the following features:

* Support for VMware GSX Server, including centralized management, secure access control, and instant provisioning. The final version released
(non-beta) will support Virtual Machine migration between managed GSX & ESX hosts.

* Tasks and Events Interfaces have been restructured for better usability.

* Numerous small fixes and UI enhancements over version 1.0 have also been included.

Technical Requirements
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Managed Servers:
* ESX version 2.0.1 or ESX version 2.1
* GSX version 3.+ (VirtualCenter K2 Preview build 7988)

VirtualCenter K2 will manage ESX Servers at version 2.0.1 and beyond, and GSX Servers at version 3.+ (build 7988) and beyond. Participation in this beta requires installing the special preview version of GSX, or an appropriate version of ESX on your managed servers.

VirtualCenter Management Server Requirements:

* Administrator privileges (the VirtualCenter management server installation adds VirtualCenter as a Windows service).

* Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Windows XP Professional, or Windows Server 2003 (Web, Standard, and Enterprise).

* Minimum 1GB RAM (Recommended 2GB).

* Minimum Pentium IV 2.0Ghz processor.

* Minimum 1 10/100Mbps NIC (1Gbps NIC recommended).

* Windows Script version 5.6 or later. If you do not have this version, VirtualCenter installer automatically updates to Windows Script version 5.6.

* Disk space sufficient on the machine to support the VirtualCenter database and the template upload directory.

* The VirtualCenter management server may run on the same machine as the VirtualCenter client, or may be installed separately on another Windows system. It can also be installed in a virtual machine.

VirtualCenter Client Requirements:

* Windows 2000 (all versions), Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows Server 2003, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, or Windows NT4 (SP6a required).

* .NET Framework version 1.1(included in the installer).

* Minimum 256MB RAM.

* The VirtualCenter client can be installed on multiple Windows systems and access the VirtualCenter management server through the network. It can also be installed in a virtual machine.

VirtualCenter Database Requirements:

* Microsoft Access (default). You do not need to have a Microsoft Access
database installed to use this option. VirtualCenter stores the database
in Microsoft Access format.

* Microsoft SQL Server 2000

* Microsoft SQL Server 7

* Oracle 8i

VMware recommends using the Microsoft Access Database only for demonstration environments and proof of concepts. For production environments, use either the SQL Server or Oracle database.

Upgrade Requirements
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Updating an existing VirtualCenter installation and database from version
1.x to version K2 is not supported for this beta.

A previous installation can be overwritten by selecting the Overwrite Existing Database option provided by the installer, but data from prior versions will be lost.


Additionally, customization of Virtual Machines pre-deployment requires the installation of certain Microsoft Sysprep, or open source components on the VirtualCenter Management Server. For instructions on setting up guest customizations, please visit the QuickTips section of the support site.

We hope you have a positive experience using the VirtualCenter K2 beta release.

Gruss
Hartmut