Tag Archives: Xen

Citrix XenServer 6.5

The following content is a brief and unofficial prerequisites guide to setup, configure and test XenServer 6.5 with XAD 7.6 including HDX 3D Pro with a supported server from either the Citrix or nVidia HCL prior to deploying in a PoC, Pilot or Production environment by the author of this entry. The views, opinions and concepts expressed are those by the author of this entry only and do not necessary conform to industry descriptions or best practises.

Shortened Names
XENAPP – xa
XENDESKTOP – xd
XENAPP/XENDESKTOP – xad
VIRTUAL DELIVERY AGENT – vda
VIRTUAL GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT – vgpu
GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT – vgpu
STOREFRONT SERVICES – sfs
VIRTUAL MACHINE – vm
HIGH DEFINITION EXPERIENCE – hdx
XENSERVER – xs

What’s New
1: Dom0 is now x64
2: vGPU scalability from 64 to 96 vGPU’s sessions per host with the correctly supported HCL server h/w which can support up to 3x nVidia GRID cards.
3: In-memory read-caching enables XS to take advantage of storing a golden image build in the hosts RAM which means guest VM’s boot 3x faster hello faster XAD 7.6 workloads and use cases.
4: Storage improvements include LiVE LUN expansion, tapdisk3 support, device mapper multi-path (updated).
5: Workload Balancing (WLB) is back take a look at – http://blogs.citrix.com/2015/01/29/workload-balancing-wlb-xendesktop-and-xenapp-use-cases/ and http://blogs.citrix.com/2015/01/22/citrix-xenserver-workload-balancing-wlb-why-xendesktop-and-xenapp-customers-really-should-take-note/.
6: For a complete overview checkout – http://blogs.citrix.com/2015/01/13/xenserver-v6-5-whats-new-and-why-you-should-check-it-out/, http://blogs.citrix.com/2015/01/13/xenserver-6-5/.
7: Don’t forget to read through the release notes which is available at – http://support.citrix.com/servlet/KbServlet/download/38334-102-714582/XenServer-6.5.0-releasenotes.pdf.

Pre-requites & System Requirements
Coming soon…

Installation & Configuration
Coming soon…

XenServer 6.2

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The following content is a brief and unofficial prerequisites guide to setup, configure and test XenServer 6.2 prior to deploying in a PoC, Pilot or Production environment by the author of this entry. The views, opinions and concepts expressed are those by the author of this entry only and do not necessary conform to industry descriptions or best practises.

Is My Server Hardware Supported?
1: Navigate to http://hcl.xensource.com/ to verify if your server hardware is compatible of supporting XenServer.
2: Check to see if your CPU supports either Intel VT or AMD-V for more information about these hypervisor enabled CPU’s please visit – http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86_virtualization.

XenServer Is Now OpenSource
http://xenserver.org.

How-to setup and configure GPU Virtualisation (vGPU) & GPU Pass-Through (DRAFT & MAY CONTAIN ERROR(S))
This is a collection of great CTX, Blog articles to aid you in further understanding the GPU differences, jargon and how-to get started today.

1: Start by downloading and upgrading your XS host(s) to 6.2 SP1 by following this CTX article at – http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX139788.
2: While you review the documentation and start planning an upgrade window(s) for your Demo/PoC XS host environment (Always do a PoC before attempting to put anything into Production) you’ll need to read some more valuable documentation at – http://www.citrix.com/go/xendesktop/3d/materials.html and download and read through the relevant Reviewers guide, to get started ASAP for vGPU read “Part 3: XenServer GPU Virtualization (vGPU)”. I would also recommend navigating this nVidia link to learn more about the GRID technology and cards – http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/grid-virtual-gpus-uk.html with your next stop being – http://www.citrix.com/go/private/vgpu.html, then – http://support.citrix.com/proddocs/topic/xendesktop-71/cds-get-started-new-prepare-master.html followed by optionally either for Desktop OS – http://support.citrix.com/proddocs/topic/xendesktop-71/hd-3d-plan.html and Server OS – http://support.citrix.com/proddocs/topic/xendesktop-71/hd-3d-gpu-acceleration-win-server-os.html depending on weather you want to delivery rich graphics to users on a hosted shared desktop (RDS Workload) or VDI.
4: I would also recommend that if you do have compatible hardware on the HCL to check that you have sufficient power (Amps) to your rack/cabinets and sufficient number of PSU’s in the server or blade chassis to support the extra power draw.

vGPU Monitoring
http://blogs.citrix.com/2014/01/22/xenserverxendesktop-vgpu-new-metrics-available-to-monitor-nvidia-grid-gpus/

GPU Sharing Technology Tech Preview
. These features are now available in XenServer 6.2 SP1 check out – .

Coming soon!
In the mean time check out – Citrix XenServer .