Virtualization and Preparation

  • Comments posted to this topic are about the item Virtualization and Preparation

  • This post was good one! I have finished making an inital DRP using virtualization. It's great but I could use a newer, more powerful server instead of adding RAM and re-using an old server.

    I can rest easy instead of relying on tape backup (what if the entire server goes down), I just make a script to copy the complete DB backup. (I know it's a long story regarding checking backups etc. so let's skip that since ). Then the DB backup is restored on the VM if things go down.

  • Nice article, good valid points and the links are interesting, still dont agree with virtualisation as the preferred solution for consolidation. I dont necesary agree with some of the points raised as well, I am yet to see a successful implementation at a client.

    Always better to be prepared in any case. would be nice if MS included some sort of automatic DR creation even if you had the ability to turn it off, still would be nice to have.

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  • I don't think I said that virtualization is the preferred method for consolidation. I am pro-virtualization, and it's worth considering. As I mentioned, it's not for everyone or every instance.

    But I think dismissing it out of hand is a mistake as well.

  • A disaster is an emergency you haven't prepared for.

    I like the linked blog post. Flat spare tire = untested backup (or similar) is a good metaphore.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
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    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • Good points about virtualization.

    Any complex org will have a variety of db needs, many of which can start on a virtual server and then migrate to a dedicated one as the app grows. Virtualization offers fast setup times and lower cost of false starts. When the setup, backup, and other maint routines can be automated, then virtualization certainly pays off. Seems like the reluctance comes from the undue burden placed on DBAs for managing virtual setups. Some of the automated tools, like those in Solaris, for containers and virtual boxes, certainly ease such concerns. Don't know if MS equivalents are just as useful.

  • Note that I'm not recommending Hyper-V. I'm not sure it's any better, or any worse, than other software. I have seen VMware used heavily, and it seems to work well for servers. I know some non-Windows folks that like Virtual Box as well, and many Windows people recommend Hyper-V.

    You need to perform the due diligence to see which one works for you.

  • Steve Jones - Editor (10/26/2009)


    Note that I'm not recommending Hyper-V. I'm not sure it's any better, or any worse, than other software. I have seen VMware used heavily, and it seems to work well for servers. I know some non-Windows folks that like Virtual Box as well, and many Windows people recommend Hyper-V.

    You need to perform the due diligence to see which one works for you.

    We have VMware esx where I am atm, we have had problems with performance and the vmhost going down at times. even the VMware specialist here doesnt recommend sql being on vmware.

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  • You might not have the right SQL Servers on your ESX system, or it might not be sized. I know of 4 companies in the Denver area that run it and have done so for over a year. They are thrilled with the way it works in that they can save on hardware, but more importantly, space and cooling. However many of their larger SQL Servers, for things like ERP, have not been moved. The performance, and the scale is not there.

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