Virtual Machine
Provisioning
Virtual provisioning
•Virtual provisioning is a virtual storage network (VSAN)-based technology in
which storage space is allocated on demand to devices.
•This process allows virtualized environments to control the allocation and
management of physical disk storage connected with virtual machines (VM).
•Virtual provisioning is also known as thin provisioning. However, virtual
provisioning is more relevant to a virtual environment, while thin provisioning
is more relevant to physical computing implementations.
Analogy of VM Provisioning
•Historically, when there is a need to install a new server for a certain
workload to provide a particular service for a client, lots of effort was exerted
by the IT admin, and much time was spent to install and provision a new
server.
1. Check the inventory for a new machine
2. Get one
3. Format and Install the Operating System required
4. Install Applications and the server is needed along with lots of security
batches and appliances.
• With the emergence of Virtualization technology and the cloud computing IaaS
model , it is a just a matter of minutes to achieve the same task.
• All we need is to provision a virtual server through a self-service interface with
small steps to get what we desire with the required specifications.
What is VM Provisioning
•Virtual Machine Provisioning or Virtual Server Provisioning is a systems
management process that creates and configures a new virtual machine(VM)
on a physical host server or cloud platform and allocates computing
resources to support the VM.
•The provisioning process involves these following steps-
[Link] the hardware requirements: The first step in the VM provisioning
process is to determine the hardware requirements of the virtual machine. This
includes determining the amount of CPU, memory, storage, and network resources
needed for the VM.
[Link] a hypervisor: A hypervisor is the software that manages and runs the
virtual machines. There are several hypervisors available, and the choice of
hypervisor will depend on factors such as performance, features, and compatibility
with the operating system.
[Link] a virtual machine: Once the hardware requirements and hypervisor are
identified, the next step is to create the virtual machine. This involves specifying
the hardware requirements, such as the amount of CPU, memory, storage, and
network resources, and the operating system that will be installed on the virtual
machine.
[Link]figure the virtual machine: After creating the virtual machine, the next
step is to configure it. This involves setting up the network configuration, installing
any necessary software, and configuring security settings.
[Link] the operating system: Once the virtual machine is created and
configured, the next step is to install the operating system. This can be done
using an ISO image or by downloading an image from the cloud provider.
[Link] applications: After the operating system is installed, the next step is to
install any necessary applications. This can include web servers, databases, or
other software that is required to run the workload.
[Link]figure security settings: Finally, the security settings of the virtual
machine need to be configured to ensure that the virtual machine is secure. This
can include setting up firewalls, installing anti-virus software, and configuring user
accounts and access controls.
•Once the provisioning process is complete, the virtual machine is ready to run
workloads. The virtual machine can be started, stopped, or restarted as needed,
and can be scaled up or down to meet changing workload demands.
Here are some additional steps on VM Provisioning process-
8. Allocate resources: In addition to identifying the hardware requirements, the
resources needed for the virtual machine need to be allocated. This includes
assigning memory, disk space, and CPU cores to the virtual machine.
9. Determine networking requirements: Depending on the workload, the
virtual machine may require specific networking configurations. This can include
configuring a static IP address, setting up port forwarding, or configuring load
balancing.
10. Configure storage: The virtual machine will require storage for the
operating system, applications, and data. This can be provided through local
disk storage, network storage, or cloud storage solutions.
[Link] the virtual machine: Before deploying the virtual machine into
production, it is important to test it thoroughly to ensure that it is working correctly.
This can include testing the network connectivity, verifying that the applications
are functioning as expected, and conducting load testing to ensure that the virtual
machine can handle the anticipated workload.
[Link] up the virtual machine: It is important to create a backup of the virtual
machine to protect against data loss or corruption. This can be done using a
variety of backup solutions, including cloud-based backup services, local backup
servers, or tape backup systems.
[Link] the virtual machine: Once the virtual machine is in production, it is
important to monitor it to ensure that it is functioning correctly. This can include
monitoring the network traffic, tracking system performance metrics, and using log
files to identify potential issues.
