User's Manual

Chapter 1. About this Document

1.1. Overview

This is a guide to using Virtual Machines (VMs) with XenServer™, the platform virtualization solution from Citrix®.

It describes how to create, configure, and manage VMs running on XenServer hosts.

This section summarizes the rest of the guide so that you can find the information you need. The following topics

are covered:

• General information about preparing and creating VMs

• Creating Windows VMs

• Creating Linux VMs

• Updating VMs

• Migrating VMs

• Creating and using ISO images of vendor media for installing VMs

• Setting up a network repository of vendor media for installing VMs

• Troubleshooting VMs

1.2. XenServer Documentation

XenServer documentation shipped with this release includes:

• Release Notes cover known issues that affect this release.

• XenServer Quick Start Guide provides an introduction for new users to the XenServer environment and

components. This guide steps through the installation and configuration essentials to get XenServer and the

XenCenter management console up and running quickly. After installation, it demonstrates how to create a

Windows VM, VM template and pool of XenServer hosts. It introduces basic administrative tasks and advanced

features, such as shared storage, VM snapshots and XenMotion live migration.

• XenServer Installation Guide steps through the installation, configuration and initial operation of XenServer

and the XenCenter management console.

• XenServer Virtual Machine User's Guide describes how to install Windows and Linux VMs within a XenServer

environment. This guide explains how to create new VMs from installation media, from VM templates included

in the XenServer package and from existing physical machines (P2V). It explains how to import disk images and

how to import and export appliances.

• XenServer Administrator's Guide gives an in-depth description of the tasks involved in configuring a XenServer

deployment, including setting up storage, networking and pools. It describes how to administer XenServer

using the xe Command Line Interface.

• vSwitch Controller User's Guide is a comprehensive user guide to the vSwitch Controller for XenServer.

• Supplemental Packs and the DDK introduces the XenServer Driver Development Kit, which can be used to

modify and extend the functionality of XenServer.

• XenServer Software Development Kit Guide presents an overview of the XenServer SDK. It includes code

samples that demonstrate how to write applications that interface with XenServer hosts.

• XenAPI Specification is a reference guide for programmers to the XenServer API.

For additional resources, visit the Citrix Knowledge Center.