new to VW-ware

[ameyUK]

hi there,

We planning to implement virtualisation on our network. We have taken over support for few companies (diff domain names). The plan is each site have their own DC, exchange, DNS and file server and setup a virtual server in main site and run multiple guest machines with diff DC's that act as a member domain controller. The idea is if the primary Dc fails on site the member DC in the main site will kick in..


Now my question is how easy is this to implement and how should i look out for.. and which platform is better to run Vmware (esx), i.e. linux or windows 2008 server..

i would really appreciate any help or suggestions

thank you

 

[Provogeek]

ESX is an OS, it does not run on Linux or Windows.

What you want to do is do able, DC's do run fine as a virtual machine. Just make sure you have rock solid NTP, and that NTP source MUST be physical. Don't rely on Internet sources, have your own internal NTP source that syncs with an Internet source.

Do get your self some training or contact a VAR. Be picky when you do select a VAR, the cheaper VAR is not always the best choice. If your budget doesn't allow for training or a VAR, then build your self a proof of concept before going production. Not just a lab, make your idea work ... just don;t interfere with your users.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Brent Schmidt Senior Network Engineer
Keep IT Simple[/color red]

http://www.kiscc.com

Novell Platinum Partner Microsoft Gold Partner
VMWare Enterprise Partner Citrix Gold Partner

 

[ArizonaGeek]

Your NTP doesn't have to be physical and you can trust an internet source, just make sure you use the same one for all your DC's. I've got 4 DCs on two domains virtualized and never had a problem in more than 3 years. Turn off NTP on the ESX machine and treat your DCs like physical and you'll do okay.

What you really should do is find your local VMWare user group, they'll be a fantastic, knowledgeable, source of info for everything you need. Real world people with real world experiences of what works and what doesn't.

http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmug

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[Provogeek]

Not going to agree with the idea of a virtualized NTP time source, time drift can be a very real issue when using a virtual time source.

When you say "Turn off NTP on the ESX machine" I sure hope you mean to disable time synchronization between the virtual machine and the host operating system. Not actually disabling NTP Client on the ESX host it's self.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Brent Schmidt Senior Network Engineer
Keep IT Simple[/color red]

http://www.kiscc.com

Novell Platinum Partner Microsoft Gold Partner
VMWare Enterprise Partner Citrix Gold Partner