automated deployment of unix / linux systems using sovm - technical overview
DESCRIPTION
Executive summary of the Site Ox SOVM vAppliance tool and service to automate the process of Unix/Linux Systems deployment. This is a cloud based service that automates remote data center environments. Works with AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, and LinuxTRANSCRIPT
www.siteox.com
Site Ox
To consider an automation method for significantly increasing profits
and ROI from your EXISTING facilities, infrastructure, equipment,
and personnel
How? Using a specific Data Center Automation technique
Eliminates redundant and repetitive tasks
Customer Self-Service based rather than SysAdmin
Cloud-Based Automation of Unix/Linux Deployment
Site Ox
Automating redundant and repetitive tasks (which is the point of doing
anything on a computer), specifically:
System Deployment and System Reclamation
Automation generates revenue
Automation saves money and time
Significantly speeds up project time-lines
Significantly speeds up delivery of services to
customer
Increases customer satisfaction with services
Reduces complexity associated with implementation
of new services
Increases ROI by maximizing utilization of resources
Site Ox
Automated Deployment of Unix systems removes this activity from the
realm of the system administrator and reallocates it to the customer
and/or project team needing the service.
Self-Service Web Interface simplifies the process for non-technical
usage.
Cloud-Based to provide access via desktop, laptop, tablet, smart
phone, or any internet connected device.
Must function as an enhancement to existing infrastructure, tools,
schedulers, configurations, and authentication systems.
Must be supportable and easily understandable by existing and
future system administrators.
Site Ox
There is only one cross-platform, self-service, cloud-based solution that
can perform automated deployment for AIX, HPUX, Solaris, and Linux
onto your own equipment in your own data centers
Site Ox: SOVM vAppliance
All other automated deployment tools are:
Specific to a Unix OS
Specific to a hardware platform
Highly Technical requiring extensive SysAdmin Training to use them
Oriented around the SysAdmin, not the Customer or Project team
Site Ox
Site Ox
Our primary focus is providing Unix / Linux based environments
We are the developer of the SOVM vAppliance for self-service,
cloud-based, automated deployment of Unix / Linux based
environments
Site Ox
SOVM vAppliance (virtual appliance)
Self-Service interface oriented to non-technical personnel
Cloud-based remote coordination of customers existing hardware
and virtual environments
Automated deployment of IBM AIX on PPC
Automated deployment of HP-UX on Itanium or PA-RISC
Automated deployment of Solaris on Sparc or Intel
Automated deployment of Linux on Intel, et al
Automated notifications and support ticketing
Project time-line oriented “leasing” of virtualized resources
Automated reclamation of resources at end of “lease” periods
User level authentication and authorization of SOVM functions for
customers, project teams, vendors
Site Ox
SOVM High Level Overview
SOVM is best suited to high volume / high turnover environments
such as:
• Large Commercial Hosting
• Test / Development
• Laboratory / Evaluation
• Vendor Demonstration
SOVM remotely controls designated systems in the customers
existing facilities and environments
SOVM is an enhancement to the customers existing facilities,
infrastructure, systems, and tools
Site Ox
The SOVM Self-Service, Cloud-Based interface provides non-technical
customers, vendors, project team members with the ability to deploy
their own Unix / Linux systems as needed and on-demand.
Site Ox
The SOVM vAppliance includes the following features:
Automated deployment and reclamation of Unix / Linux Systems
Automated custom configuration of Unix / Linux Systems
Automated scheduling of events such as:
• Deployment
• Suspension
• Termination
• Extension / Renewal
• Archive / Backup
• Reclamation of Resources
Site Ox
The immediate and tangible benefits of using SOVM include:
Saves significant amounts time and money by eliminating
redundant and repetitive tasks from the duties of expensive,
highly technical, highly trained system administrators.
Eliminates time delays associated with back-and-forth change
requests and approval processes.
Gives customers, vendors, project teams, etc the ability to
provision their own Unix / Linux systems on an as needed basis and
on-demand.
Increases ROI by decreasing wasted or unused resources by
providing on-demand capabilities.
Site Ox
Intangible benefits from using SOVM include:
Implementation of a single design build standard:
• Standalone
• Manual Fail-over of Resources
• Live Partition Mobility
• High Availability
• Disaster Recovery
• Business Continuity
Value added enhancement to investments in existing facilities,
infrastructure, systems, and tools
Natural extension/expansion of SysAdmin personnel capabilities
and knowledgebase.
Site Ox
Since the SOVM vAppliance is cloud based, implementation is fast and
easy:
The vAppliance requires communication with your existing devices
that you select and choose to participate in the automated
deployment environment.
Communication between the vAppliance and your existing
environment can be performed over the Internet, thru a firewall,
VPN, or dedicated circuit. Only requires SSH access.
Access to your existing infrastructure devices can be restricted to
an “sovm” user with permission to create, change, and delete
resources on the participating devices.
Site Ox
Once the SOVM vAppliance is communicating with the facilities and
infrastructure you have selected to participate in the automated
deployment environment, you can then grant access to utilize this
service to your customers, personnel, and project teams.
An SOVM User administrator should be selected and given the task of
adding/deleting users, and granting/denying SOVM functions as
needed.
Site Ox
SOVM vAppliance requires remote SSH access to the following devices
in the customers facility:
Hardware Management Console (HMC)
• Restricted to “sovm” user with access only to those
devices and frames designated for use with SOVM
VIO Server(s)
• Can be existing or dedicated VIOS for use with SOVM
NIM Server
• With gold “mksysb” images
• Requires bootp capability for client LPARs
Site Ox
SOVM vAppliance requires remote SSH access to the following devices
in the customers facility:
HPVM Host Server(s)
Ignite Server(s)
Site Ox
SOVM vAppliance requires remote SSH access to the following devices
in the customers facility:
VMWare ESXi Server for Intel based deployments
VM Server for Sparc based deployments
Site Ox
SOVM vAppliance requires remote SSH access to the following devices
in the customers facility:
VMWare ESXi Server for Intel based deployments
Other platforms would be custom configurations based on the
customers needs and requirements:
• Kickstart
• Xen
• KVM
• etc
Site Ox
The following is a high level description of the steps involved in an
AIX automated deployment
Step 1 - Customer requests an AIX system using the simplified order
form:
Site Ox
AIX automated deployment (Continued)
Step 2 (Automated)
Job order is created by the Self-Service, Cloud-Based interface and
contains the information selected by the customer.
Job order is picked up by the SOVM vAppliance for processing.
SOVM begins processing the job order based on the operating
system type requested, in this example AIX.
Site Ox
AIX automated deployment (Continued)
Step 3 (Automated)
SOVM selects an unused / empty LPAR to build-out as the new AIX
system requested by the customer.
SOVM adjusts the CPU, and Memory assignments, thru the HMC, to
match the customers request.
SOVM adjusts the storage assignments, thru the VIO(s), to match
the customers request.
SOVM installs the requested AIX operating system from “gold”
mksysb images available on the NIM server.
Site Ox
AIX automated deployment (Continued)
Step 4 (Automated)
SOVM applies custom configuration requirements as needed by the
customer environment.
SOVM creates users and initializes passwords as designated by the
customer requirements.
SOVM tunes the LPAR according to customer requirements.
SOVM configures time servers, domain name servers, default
gateways, routes, etc.
SOVM configures storage as requested by customer.
Site Ox
AIX automated deployment (Continued)
Step 5 (Automated)
Once the LPAR build-out is complete, SOVM schedules the
following events:
• Suspension of the LPAR at the end of the customer
requested time “lease”
• Termination of the LPAR after a configurable “grace”
period, after the LPAR is suspended.
• Notifies the customer that their LPAR is ready. Sends
connection and login information.
Site Ox
AIX automated deployment (Continued)
Step 6
The SOVM web based interface allows the customer to manage
their LPAR as needed and on-demand by performing the following
functions:
• Reboot the LPAR
• Extend “lease” period - (before suspend)
• Renew “lease” period - (after suspend)
• Archive / Backup LPAR
• Unarchive / Restore LPAR
Site Ox
Site Ox Data Centers currently uses the SOVM vAppliance to
automatically deploy and reclaim Unix / Linux environments in a
commercial hosting environment.
Short term leasing of Unix / Linux environments
• AIX: Multiple versions : PPC
• HP-UX: Multiple versions: Itanium or PA-RISC
• Solaris: Multiple versions: Sparc or Intel
• Linux: Multiple versions: Intel
Customer selects their lease period
• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly
Self-Service, No Contracts, Reduced Costs
Uses off-the-shelf front end billing system
High Volume / High Turnover / Maximum ROI
Site Ox
SOVM vAppliance
A virtual appliance (vAppliance) exists in the cloud and provides its
services/functions across the Internet, firewall, VPN, or private
circuit.
The SOVM vAppliance is configured, supported, and maintained by
Site Ox for the customer.
The SOVM vAppliance is customized for each customer and is a
unique instance.
Site Ox
SOVM vAppliance for Automated Deployment of Unix/Linux Systems
Revenue Generating for Hosting Environments
Dramatically Reduces Costs and Time Delays
Self-Service, Cloud-Based, Cross-Platform
Automated Deployment / Support Ticketing
Best suited to high volume / high turnover environments
(lab/test/dev/hosting)
Built-in billing and/or charge-back
Works with and enhances your existing:
• Facilities and Infrastructure
• Tools, Design, and Configuration
• Personnel and Customers
Site Ox
