VMWare | Virtual Desktops

[Linux_newb]

Hi guys,

One of my clients has mission critical software that needs to be running day and night on about 2 computers. The problem with this is, it would mean big problems should any of the desktops' hardware fails...

So I was thinking.. would it work if you get a very powerful machine on which you can run two virtual machines with this mission critical software on, using VMWare? As far as I know you can create an image and if something goes wrong, you simply deploy the image again and you're back up and running?

I even want to go as far as saying, next time one of their everyday workstations pack up, you replace it with a thin client and a virtual machine on the server. Is this reasonable thinking?

Any idea of what type of hardware you will be looking at to run about 5 virtual machines and 5 thin clients?

Really want to take advantage of this virtualisation but haven't worked with VMWare on this level yet.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

 

[slrouxza]

Hi
On the server side have a look at VMWare ESXi. It is the version that is used to host servers. On the hardware side if you want to run 5 servers you will have to buy a server box with more than one CPU (XEON processors) with a lot of ram (32 gig) and raid 10 HDD config (striped & mirrored)
Hope it helps

 

[Linux_newb]

@slrouxza

In short, I would rather have 5 thin clients and let them each connect to a "virtual desktop" - this means creating 5 virtual machines on a server with enough resources to share between all 5 users. Would VMWare Workstation not work for this? Unless VMWare ESXi is loaded as an OS (which would make more sense)?

Then also, how do one calculate the ratio between actual hardware and what is allocated to each machine? Lets say you create 5 virtual machines with each 2GB Ram - wouldnt 10 to 15GB Ram be enough? Also, which Core2Quad's should one look at when running such a setup?

Do you think it is viable to virtualise like this, instead of maintaining 5 desktops' hardware and software? What I specifically like about the virtualisation - if something goes wrong, you deploy an image of the previous machine and you're back up and running.

What would you do?

 

[Conradl]

Please ignore the advice above - no offence, but it is overkill for 5 desktops.

What you need is a Desktop Virtualisation package, look at Citrix XenDesktop, it is free for 10 users. Your idea will work in principle, but may not be the correct solution for 5 users.

To answer your questions:

Workstation will work, but rather use a type two hypervisor, i.e. one that runs on bare metal such as ESXi or Citrix XenServer. This removes the dependency on the base OS.
Your RAM assumption is correct, total RAM should be the sum of each desktops RAM + RAM for the host.
Any Quad core processor with VT will be fine - and I think all quads have VT....
I do not think it may be viable to virtualise in this case. What application is it? Why does it need to run, and where is the data stored? If the machine is used to capture data of some sort, then restoring a previous image may not work if the data is stored on the broken machine....

I would think about my requirements very carefully

 

[Linux_newb]

@Conradl

Thanks for the advice. Well, 2 of these "desktops" are only used for vehicle intrusion monitoring (someone breaks into your car - it sends a notification to the company) and therefore cannot afford to have downtime. Data is stored offsite - only notifications are sent in real time to the desktop. These 2 desktops dont need much resources. The third desktop is for the people monitoring PC 1 and PC 2 for e-mail and website browsing. I've included 2 more Desktops which might be used somewhere in future as a pc for invoicing etc.

The fact that you can run 5 (or more) desktops from one server sounds awesome as you only have one set of hardware to look after. Deploying a new desktop is also so much easier.

Would this save money? Save hassle? Your opinion?

 

[masticore]

@Conradl

Thanks for the advice. Well, 2 of these "desktops" are only used for vehicle intrusion monitoring (someone breaks into your car - it sends a notification to the company) and therefore cannot afford to have downtime. Data is stored offsite - only notifications are sent in real time to the desktop. These 2 desktops dont need much resources. The third desktop is for the people monitoring PC 1 and PC 2 for e-mail and website browsing. I've included 2 more Desktops which might be used somewhere in future as a pc for invoicing etc.

The fact that you can run 5 (or more) desktops from one server sounds awesome as you only have one set of hardware to look after. Deploying a new desktop is also so much easier.

Would this save money? Save hassle? Your opinion?

You also have a single point of failure for ALL your systems

 

[Conradl]

Would this save money? Save hassle? Your opinion?

It could save money and hassle, but it does introduce other problems like single point of failure, increased complexity in that you have to manage another system etc. Rather look at hosting your critical apps on reliable systems, and have some DR plan in place....

 

[Demon7]

ESxi is a good option if you plan on making use of the technology more mainstream...
VMWare explorer will allow you to backup your vm's, take snapshots etc...
VMWare Workstation or even player will also work with regards to hosting one or two vm's on a desktop, but then it would require an OS, ad this would share the resources... where as ESXi would not...
Player is free and if the workstation can handle it, is a good start... make a copy of your vm and store it elsewhere thus giving you peace of mind, knowing it can be started in a few minutes if required...

Last option is start and at absolutely no extra cost....

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Remember, being cheap at the start will be expensive later.

Consider your options carefully before plonking down the money.