Virtualization on the IBM System x3950 Server

Virtualization is becoming more and more a key technology enabler to streamline and better operate data centers. In it’s simplest form, virtualization refers to the capability of being able to run multiple OS instances, such as Linux® and Windows, on a physical server.

Usually the concept of virtualization is associated with high-end servers, such as the IBM System x3950, that are able to support and consolidate multiple heterogeneous software environments. The System x3950 is a highly scalable x86 platform capable of supporting up to 32 processors and 512 GB of memory and is aimed at customers that want to consolidate data centers.

Between the server hardware and the operating systems that will run the applications is a virtualization layer of software that manages the entire system. The two main products in this field are VMware ESX Server and Microsoft Virtual Server.
This IBM Redbook discusses the technology behind virtualization, x3950 technology, and the two virtualization software products. We also discuss how to manage the solution properly as though they all were a pool of resources with Virtual Machine Manager, a unique and consistent management interface.

Chapter 1. Introduction to virtualization
Chapter 2. The IBM System x3950 Server
Chapter 3. VMware ESX Server
Chapter 4. Microsoft Virtual Server
Chapter 5. Management with IBM Director

• Planning, Installing, and Managing the IBM System x3950 M2, SG24-7630-00
• Server Consolidation with VMware ESX Server, REDP-3939-00

Publish Date
06 June 2006

Last Update
21 June 2006

Rating:
(based on 15 reviews)

Rate this book

Author(s)

Massimo Re Ferre' is a Certified IT Architect within the IBM Systems Group in EMEA. For more than 10 years, he has worked for IBM on Intel/AMD solutions, architectures and related hardware and software platforms. In the past few years, he as worked on a number of server consolidation, rationalization and virtualization projects with key customers in the Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA) geography. He has also participated as a speaker in several IBM international events on the matter above. Massimo is a member of the Technical Expert Council (TEC), which is the Italian affiliate of the IBM Academy of Technology.

• Massimo Re Ferre'

Don Pomeroy is a Senior Systems Administrator for Avnet Inc, one of the world's largest B2B distributors of semiconductors, interconnect, passive and electromechanical components, enterprise network and computer equipment from leading manufacturers, and an IBM Business Partner and customer. His primary focus for the last two years has been server consolidation and virtualization with VMware products. He has the following certifications; A+, Network+, Security+, IBM Certified Specialist for xSeries, MCSA, and VCP.

• Don Pomeroy

Mats Whalstrom is a Senior IT Specialist within the IBM Systems & Technology Group in Raleigh, with over 10 years of experience within the Intel/AMD/PowerPC and storage arena. He is a senior member of the IBM IT Specialist accrediation board and has previsouly worked for IBM in Greenock, Scotland and Hursley, England. His current areas of expertise includes BladeCenter, storage hardware and software solutions. Previously to this redbook he has been a co-author of the first and third editions of the redbook IBM TotalStorage SAN File System.

• Mats Whalstrom

David Watts is a Consulting IT Specialist at the IBM ITSO Center in Raleigh. He manages residencies and produces Redbooks on hardware and software topics related to IBM System x systems and associated client platforms. He has authored over 40 Redbooks and Redpapers. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Queensland (Australia) and has worked for IBM for over 15 years. He is an IBM Certified IT Specialist.

• David Watts

ISBN

0738497096

IBM Form Number
SG24-7190-00

Number of pages
284