Implementing a Virtual Server Environment: Getting Started

Table 2. Sizing worksheet: workload information
Legacy server or
workload
Number of
Integrity CPU
cores
Memory required
Normal Processing
Peak Processing
Expected Growth
Total for Workload
Capacity Advisor
One tool that you can use for gathering performance utilization data is Capacity Advisor, a
management tool provided in the HP VSE suite of products. You can use Capacity Advisor to collect
performance utilization data from your existing servers and then to create what-if scenarios to
determine the best way to consolidate those servers. Capacity Advisor allows you to test
configurations with the size characteristics that you define, and to determine whether you can
combine various workloads onto this new server (existing or hypothetical) before you make the
changes or purchase the new server. It even allows you to factor in forecasted growth percentages
for each workload or server.
In order to use Capacity Advisor, however, you must first install the VSE Management Software on a
Central Management Server (CMS). This step might seem illogical because you are in the process of
defining your virtualized architecture. However, it might be worthwhile to install this software on a
CMS and on any managed nodes that you plan to consolidate into your virtualized infrastructure so
that you can use the capabilities of Capacity Advisor in planning your new configuration. Once
installed, you can collect performance utilization data over a period of time by using the HP
Utilization WBEM Provider collection agent for each of the managed nodes that you choose. You can
also import OpenView Performance Agent (OVPA) data if that data is available. HP also offers the
HP Consolidation Pack, which is an inexpensive limited use license for the collection of detailed server
utilization data across several key metrics. This license can be applied to the servers you are
planning to consolidate for a period of six months.
After your new virtualized environment is set up, Capacity Advisor is valuable for monitoring and
evaluating your workloads to make the most of the available systems, and for evaluating the possible
effects of moving workloads around for optimal utilization. For more information about using
Capacity Advisor, see the link at the end of this paper to the HP Integrity Essentials Capacity Advisor
User’s Guide Version A.03.00.00.
Choose the type of partitioning
The partitioning solutions are the basic building blocks or foundation of the Virtual Server
Environment. Choose one of the following partitioning options for each application or workload.
Table 3. Selection criteria for choosing type of partitioning
Type of partition Selection criteria for each application or workload.
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