vMCD and VMware 1

[danramirez]

Guys,

I am planning to install vMCD for testing/learning purposes at the office, Mitel has got a vMCD DEMO kit for a reasonable price for partners.

I have no idea where to start with VMware, don't even know how to select a server capable of hosting VMware application.

Questions are as follows:

1. Is the DELL Power Edge R410 OK for testing vMCD?
2. Is the Intel Xeon E5530 OK?
3. 6GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Disk and SATA DVD? I will only be running one Virtual Machine.
4. How many NICs do I need? Will it be OK with the two embeded ones(1G)that come with the server?
5. What do I need to download from VMware site? ESXi and VSphere Client? Are they free? I don't need the full version on VMware, just need the minimum required for installing vMCD.

Thanks very much, Regards,

Daniel

 

[MitelAU]

Use the engineering guidelines to answer all your questions.

Knowledge is power, thats why we share!

 

[james1982]

I didnt think you could purchase any vmware products unless you are VMware accredited?

 

[LoopyLou]

Danramirez the best option is always check the HCL. In this case it would be the VMWare HCL. Anyway you server should be fine as I believe that server is listed.

The more RAM the better if you were in production but for testing you are fine.

Again for testing a single NIC is sufficient but in production you might want a second one to dedicate to certain virtual machines.

For your test you just need ESXi which is a free download ( well you do have to give up your e-mail address ). Once setup you will be shown the link in the ESXi console where you can download the client. All management is done via a GUI on your laptop ( second PC ). You don't do anything on the ESXi server other then the initial setup.

To install your vMCD you download the .ova file from MOL and install it via the Sphere client on the ESXi server. Pretty idiot proof if you read the manual as it is pre-configured with all the necessary settings ( RAM and CPU's )to support the vMCD. After the VM is installed, you enter console mode of your new vMCD VM and set it up as if it were a MCD on ISS ( the Mitel Standard Linux version if you are familiar with that. Looks the same and you set it up the same ). Then its GUI to the 3300 ESM and you are off to the races.

Did it once on a Dell D620 laptop and it worked fine ( as well as a couple of PC's with specs not found on the HCl ). Only thing you worry about is if ESXi will have drivers for your computer/servers hardware. You can check sites like Ultimate Whitebox for some info on what systems people have been successful in setting ESXi up on without having to buy a server.

Finally for a limited time you can get access to a free vMCD from Mitel. Comes with enough licensing to be interested but will eventually timeout.

Don't know if this helps or not.

The single biggest problem with communications is the illusion that it has taken place.

 

[danramirez]

Loopy,

What a complete brief!! Thank you very much. I will be receiving server late next week, I'll let you know how it goes...

Thank you for your time and advice,

Regards,

Daniel

 

[LoopyLou]

No problem, the only issue with not using a server off the VMWare HCL is that you get no support from Mitel if you need help. I wouldn't think you would need any in a lab eviroment and its pretty straight forward. Basically you don't even need to know VMware to get it up in running if you follow the install doc.You have to do the funky IP addresssing like you do on the MCD ISS ( or MXE server for that matter ).

Of note the vMCD like the ISS MCD ( and MXe Server ) contains no TDM, no internal DHCP and no embedded voicemail. I basically clustered the vMCD with a 3300 to provide those services.

Have fun.

The single biggest problem with communications is the illusion that it has taken place.

 

[danramirez]

Loopy, what exactly do the mean with:

vMCD requires a total of 5 IP addresses at installation time. The MCD software requires a
/30 subnet (4 IP addresses) and must be assigned an IP address which resides in the host
address range.This subnet is local to the server upon which the vMCD is installed. Use

http://www.subnet-calculator.com/

to find the appropriate host address range for MCD. The
5th IP address is used by MSL.

As long as I understand a /30 subnet only allows you to assign 2 hosts, then you have the network ID and the broadcast. How come they require 5 IP address from a /30 subnet? Do they really want 5 IP address from the same subnet, OR can I have my 5 IPs from different subnets? I'm kind of lost here...

As I mentiones before, I won't receive my server my until next week so haven't put my hands on yet. Just trying to put all ideas together before this animal comes into the office.

What I need to clarify is:

How many IPs do I need, and what subnet type for each of.

Regards,

Daniel

 

[Supernova99]

All vMCD and ISS servers require 5 IP addresses
They cover the 'virtual' parts of the system as well as the 'Physical' parts
So the MSL will need an IP address as will the MCD
The other addresses are used for a virtual RTC, and a reserved address for the virtual L2


Share what you know - Learn what you don't

 

[LoopyLou]

Super pretty well covers it. If you check the handbook for the MXe Server it basically goes over what the addresses are for but you do need the 5 addresses. Let face it a MXe needs 3.

The single biggest problem with communications is the illusion that it has taken place.