Cisco, VMware unveil Desktop Virtualization product

Since my post regarding Citrix and Cisco taking on VMware:
http://virtualben.blogspot.com/2010/09/cisco-citrix-and-netapp-vs-vmwareding.html

It looks like Cisco have since decided to widen the market and jump into bed with VMware.
"Cisco and virtualisation software specialist VMware have unveiled a Desktop Virtualization product based on Cisco Unified Computing System and VMware ViewTM 4.5. Cisco and VMware are supporting this product with new channel initiatives that will enable channel partners accelerate deployment of virtual desktop products. Cisco Desktop Virtualisation with VMware View will simplify the physical and virtual infrastructure and management associated with desktop deployments."
Please read the full article here:
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/cisco-vmware-unveil-desktop-virtualization-product

Introduction to UEFI

To follow up on my previsou post on UEFI causing boot issues on IBM Servers.

This article is worth a read if working with the new UEFI firmware.

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/systems/support/system_x_pdf/introducing_uefi-compliant_fireware_on_ibm_system_x.1.1.pdf

Specifically interesting sections are Page 12:

Optimizing boot-time performance

The simplest way to achieve quicker boot times for a configuration is to install and boot UEFIaware operating systems whenever possible. For deployments in which a UEFI-aware operating

system is not available, this section introduces concepts and techniques for optimally configuring adapter support for legacy boots. The major variable determinants of server boot-time performance are how much memory capacity is available and what adapters are installed. Other determinants of boot-time performance are inherent to the design and core technologies of the server design (such as

CRTM/TPM, platform self-test, and power management) and are not configurable. Always usethe latest available firmware, because any optimizations to these core features will be in the latest firmware releases.

Memory

The more memory that is installed, the more there is to initialize ECC and test. You can install less memory, but that usually does not result in significant boot-time improvement. The best approach for optimizing boot time and memory use is to balance DIMMs and memory capacity across installed processors. Balancing memory optimizes memory initialization on servers with integrated memory controllers (such as Intel Xeon® 5500 based servers). For details, see the Optimizing the Performance of IBM System x and BladeCenter Servers using Intel Xeon 5500 Series Processors white paper.

Adapters

Some classes of server adapters, such as network or RAID controllers, can take considerable time to initialize in the pre-operating-system UEFI or BIOS environment. Because IBM System x Server Firmware simultaneously supports both UEFI and BIOS boot mechanisms, there can be unwanted repetition of adapter initialization when BIOS operating systems are booted. This repetition can occur with an adapter that includes native UEFI device drivers in addition to BIOS code on its adapter ROM. For suggested approaches to tuning adapter support for better boot-time performance, see “UEFI and BIOS adapter support details” and “Enabling and disabling adapter ROM support.”

Page 24 also advised how to disable adapters for UEFI.

IBM X3650 UEFI Causes XenServer 5.6 Boot Issues

I have been installing XenServer on to some new IBM X3650 M3 Servers recently and have experienced very slow boot times and also issues in connecting to Fibre attached storage.

Symptom:

It takes some 10-20+ minutes every boot for the QLogic cards to present all the LUNS/Paths to the UEFI before continuing the ordinary boot-sequence.

When XenServer is installed without any HBA cards installed the servers will boot without issue. When the HBA cards are installed the XenServer fails to boot.

Issue:

The new Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) which replaces BIOS causes issues. The problem is that XenServer does not support UEFI Yet!

The problem happened when we assigned a LUN to the Qlogic FC, after that, the server won't boot into local drive, which is where XenServer is installed.

Resolution:

To fix this, you need
1. Press F1 to get into uefi bios
2. Add "legacy only" as a boot option
3. set "legacy only" as the first in boot order
4. commit to all the changes

Finding a Better Way to Estimate IOPS for VDI

 

Great article from Paul Wilson at Citrix on IOPS calcualtions for VDI. Well worth a read.

http://community.citrix.com/display/ocb/2010/10/31/Finding+a+Better+Way+to+Estimate+IOPS+for+VDI

Citrix Project GoldenGate

Has anybody tried out Project GoldenGate?

Project GoldenGate

Available to download from mycitrix

Technology Concept Release

As part of this research Citrix Labs is pleased to announce the availability of Project GoldenGate Technology Concept Release.

GoldenGate incorporates email, calendaring, contact, and collaboration capabilities into a single Micro App that runs securely in the data center and is delivered to mobile devices by Citrix XenApp.

As this is a new capability for Citrix, we have chosen to assess market interest and opportunity via a Technology Concept Release.  As yet, no decisions have been made around commercialization of this technology.

XIV Storage Configuration Demo

Excellent web site showing how easy it is to configure the IBM XIV storage platform.

I have been designing the Pools and Volumes on this platform this week and looks like one of the most dynamic and easy to configure shared storage platforms around at the moment.

http://www.xivstorage.com/demo/GUI_Demo.html

Access Gateway VPX 5.0 NEW!

Access Gateway VPX 5.0 is a virtual appliance for Citrix XenServer or VMWare ESX/ESXi that provides secure access to virtual desktops, applications and data while allowing users to work from anywhere. It offers the same capabilities as an Access Gateway physical appliance (Model 2010) while giving greater flexibility and more deployment options to IT administrators. Access Gateway VPX is the best choice for organizations who need to rapidly provision secure access, reduce infrastructure requirements, and minimize power consumption.

New Features
Some of the key new features available in Access Gateway version 5.0 include:

• Access Gateway VPX for VMWare ESX/ESXi — Access Gateway VPX running on VMware ESX and ESXi hypervisors allows organizations to leverage their existing server virtualization investments and provides additional deployment flexibility.
• Simple and Intuitive Administration — Access Gateway 5.0 uses a new Flash-based administration tool for the appliance that makes it easy to install certificates, configure access control and monitor activity from any Flash-enabled web browser.
• Basic High Availability support for Model 2010 and VPX appliances — Two Access Gateway appliances can be configured as a failover pair. The appliances operate in active/passive mode, with the primary appliance servicing all user connections and the secondary appliance monitoring the primary and synchronizing session information. If the primary appliance fails, the secondary appliance takes over.
• Variable Logon Points — Each Access Gateway appliance can host multiple logon points for support of different features or different user communities. Basic logon points enable unlimited logins for secure access to Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop only and are enabled by the free Access Gateway platform license; SmartAccess logon points enable rich access control features such as network-layer VPN, endpoint analysis, clientless access to web sites and file shares, and adaptive access control.
• Endpoint Remediation — When users fail to access the system because of a failed endpoint analysis scan, you can provide a customized HTML message informing them of why they failed and what steps to take for remediation.
• Improved architecture — Significant updates have been made to the appliance firmware and Access Controller web services in this release to improve the overall performance, stability and feature set of Access Gateway.

Important Licensing Changes
Platform License Required
Each appliance running Access Gateway 5.0 requires a platform license in order to function. Without the platform license installed, the gateway will not allow logins after a 48-hour grace period. Platform licenses are delivered electronically when an appliance is ordered. If you have an existing Access Gateway Model 2010 appliance covered by Warranty, you can obtain your Access Gateway Platform License using the Upgrade My Products toolbox on MyCitrix.
User Licenses Optional
The required Access Gateway platform license enables unlimited logins through Basic logon points. Each concurrent login to a SmartAccess logon point requires an Access Gateway user license. Access Gateway Standard Edition or Access Gateway Universal licenses may be used for this purpose.
Subscription Advantage Eligibility Date
To use your existing Access Gateway licenses with this version, the Subscription Advantage on those licenses must be valid on or after September 1, 2010.
Supported Platforms
Access Gateway 5.0 is supported only on the following appliance platforms:

• Access Gateway Model 2010
• Access Gateway VPX