The concepts of automation and virtualization are fundamental to IT infrastructure simplification. Virtualization is the ability to separate the direct dependency of an application from a physical resource.

To address the virtualization aspects of the On Demand Operating Environment, the IBM® Virtualization Engine™ was announced in August 2004. Version 1 was then available. A new version, the Virtualization Engine Version 2.1, was announced and made available at the end of 2005. This new version enhances the functions provided in Version 1 and provides new products, new features, and new tools.

This IBM Redbooks publication describes how to install and to use the Virtualization Engine Version 2.1. This book is the companion of IBM Virtualization Engine Platform Version 2 Technical Presentation Guide, SG24-7112 , which describes the functions of the components. This book is suitable for IT Specialists who want to install and use the Virtualization Engine Version 2.1 products and components.

Part 1. Planning and installing the Virtualization Engine Version 2.1

Chapter 1. Introducing the Virtualization Engine Version 2.1

Chapter 2. Planning

Chapter 3. Installing management servers

Chapter 4. Installing managed servers agents

Chapter 5. Applying fixes

Chapter 6. Lessons learned

Part 2. Using the Virtualization Engine Version 2.1

Chapter 7. Using Resource Dependency Service to build manageable resources

Chapter 8. Using the Virtualization Engine console to visualize the infrastructure environment

Chapter 9. Using one single console to manage your environment

Chapter 10. Using the Enterprise Workload Manager

Appendix A. Load balancing with CISCO Content Switching Module, SASP, and IBM Enterprise Workload Manager

Appendix B. Performance monitoring using Enterprise Workload Manager