claudia: Claudia.Hildebrandt@sun.com

Last week I presented our Sun Ray architecture, and the benefits and features of VDI 3.0.

Here is the presentation ( in german ).

Vor einiger Zeit hatte ich das x86 Server Configuration whitepaper in Form einer Praesentation fuer Kunden und Sun Partner erstellt, um Euch eine Hilfestellung bei der Konfiguration der x86 Systeme zu geben. Welcher HBA , Welches OS, welcher Storage ist supported und wo finde ich die Information. Diese Fragen sollten mit dem x86 Server Config Whitepaper beantwortet werden.
Schnell fand es Verbreitung und wurde von Kollegen ins englische, franzoesische und hollaendische uebersetzt, um es auch in ihren Laendern zu verteilen.

Dann wurde die Frage an mich gestellt, wo man denn Informationen zur Installation des Systems findet. Klar in den docs.sun.com. Aber dort steht auch nicht immer alles.. manches findet man auf den Herstellerseiten, zum Beispiel auch Tips und Tricks.
Ich habe mich nun bemueht, eine Wikiseite zu erstellen, in der ich diese Informationen gegliedert nach System , OS bzw. Hersteller sammele. Diese Seite wartet auch auf Euer Input und kann aktiv mit Euch erweitert werden.

Bitte fuehlt euch aufgefordert Eure Informationen hinzuzufuegen und sie mit anderen zu teilen!
Ich wuerde mich sehr darueber freuen.

schoenen Abend
Claudia

Recently I heard about some claims of a customer about the installation process of x64/x86 servers.
He said, he had some problems and issues with OS drivers, the ILOM and BIOS firmware and settings and the installation of drivers for Sun-installed components option cards when using Windows or supported Linux OSes.

I like to point to this page:
Sun Installation Assistant ( SIA ).

SIA Features are:

* Supports booting from a local or remote CD, USB flash drive or Network image
* Provides a graphical wizard interface
* Scans your server and installs the drivers for Sun-installed components and option cards [1]
* Optionally checks with Sun for updates to OS drivers and Sun server software
* Optionally upgrades ILOM Service Processor (SP) and BIOS firmware
* Deploys Linux, Windows and Sun-supported applications to your Sun x64 systems
* Optionally deploys using unattended scripted mode and PXE (Linux only)

The weblink provides a download of the wizard for all x64/x86 servers including blades, and links to the manual, to a BigAdmin Feature Article and finally also to a discussion forum.

I updated my paper "How to configure x64 Servers" x64_server.pdf ( german and english x64_server_engl.pdf version available ) by adding the link.
You can find the paper here .
The purpose of this paper is to help customers to configure their x64 servers.

Feedback is appreciated.

claudia

Yes, there is a cookbook about how to install the VDA kit and setup VMware etc. and I forgot to add the link in my previous blog entry.

But here it is:

The cookbook was created by Dirk Grobler, HAM02.

http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/features/articles/vda_kit_demo.jsp

which guides you to reference links listed at the end of the document.

And, there is a blueprint available also written by Dirk Grobler and Warren Ponder. You can find it here:

 http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0307/820-1325.html

And Dirk Groblers wiki page: 

 http://wiki.sun-rays.org/index.php/VDA_Cookbook

 Have fun.

Last week, I participated the "PTE Workshop VDA kit" in Munich initiated by my dear colleagues Thomas Assum, Thomas Spandoeck and Carsten Thalheimer. 18 participants and Sun partners came together to setup virtual desktops with VMs on an ESX 3.0.1 Server, Sun Secure Global Desktop Software and Sun Ray Software 4. This was fun!

We hastened through the cookbook: installation of the Virtual Infrastructure Software, installation of a Solaris10, a Windows 2003 Server and finally XP VM; installation and configuration of SSGD and finally setting up virtual desktops using the VDA kit.

I was really impressed how easy it ws to configure the software and to setup the components.

Now, on 11th of September 2007 Sun announced Sun Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Software 1.0 (Sun VDI).

Installed on Solaris 10 and in combination of VMWare Infrastructure 3 Software it enables you to setup virtual desktops and to consolidate them onto datacenter servers. This way users can own their  dedicated desktop evironment, customized to their needs and isolated from other users.

Virtual desktops can be cloned, copied, updated and maintained centralized. Critical data is kept in the datacenter and can be backuped and administrated by your IT Administrators easily.

Data is safe of lost and theft.

Virtual desktops replaces your traditional PCs such as Windows or Mac OS and makes the administration easier. Thin clients from Sun or other vendors can be used as well.

Organizations are able to create many desktop environments on one single Sun Fire x64 system and VMware ESX Server.

If you are interested in more details, have a look here: 

http://www.sun.com/datacenter/consolidation/virtualization/desktop/

http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/pr/2007-09/sunflash.20070911.1.xml?printFriendly=true

http://infobahn.central/DE/trainings/pte/index.html

http://www.sun.com/software/products/sgd/index.jsp

http://www.sun.com/software/sunray/index.jsp

http://www.sun.com/tryandbuy/vmware.jsp

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_esx_quickstart.pdf