Using Virtualization to Improve Testing
Join Anil Desai, an esteemed independent consultant and author, as he explores the transformative power of virtualization for development and testing. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of virtualization technology, showcasing its features, benefits, and various approaches. Discover how virtualization can streamline administration, enhance security, and accelerate deployment. Anil will also share best practices for setting up test labs, managing virtual machines, and utilizing automation to improve quality assurance. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of virtualization!
Using Virtualization to Improve Testing
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Presentation Transcript
Using Virtualization to Improve Testing Anil Desai IEEE Computer Society, Austin Chapter April 18th, 2007
Speaker Information • Anil Desai • Independent consultant (Austin, TX) • Author of virtualization books and articles • Managing / Scripting Microsoft Virtual Server • SearchServerVirtualization.com • The Definitive Guide to Virtual Platform Management • Info: http://AnilDesai.net or Anil@AnilDesai.net
Presentation Overview • An Overview of Virtualization Technology • Virtualization Features & Scenarios • Virtualization Benefits for Dev/Test • Comparing Virtualization Approaches • Using Virtualization Features for Dev/ Test • Managing and Optimizing Virtualization
What is Virtualization? • Virtualization abstracts the underlying physical structure of various technologies • Examples: • Storage virtualization • Network virtualization • Server virtualization • Creates multiple isolated environments • Allows multiple OS’s and workloads to run on the same physical hardware • Solves the problem of tight coupling between OS’s and hardware
Benefits of Virtualization • Simplified administration • Hardware independence/portability • Increased hardware utilization • Server consolidation • Decreased provisioning times • Improved security • Software Development • Testing / Quality Assurance • Product evaluations / demonstrations • Training • Disaster Recovery Virtualization Features Virtualization Scenarios
Virtualization Candidates • Getting Started • Migrate existing apps / physical machines • Create new virtual machines from scratch • Virtualization may not work well for: • Resource-intensive applications • VMs may have RAM/CPU/SMP limitations • Performance testing • Hardware compatibility testing • Specific hardware requirements • USB • Custom hardware devices
Physical-to-Virtual (P2V) • Conversion of an existing physical machine into a virtual machine • Operating system, settings, and all data
Technical Benefits for Dev/Test • Simplified Administration • Duplicating / recreating intermittent problems • Quick Deployment • Portability (Moving / Copying VMs) • For troubleshooting and recreating defects • Load-balancing • Standardized hardware configuration • State management for virtual machines
Development/Testing-Related Scenarios • Setting up a complex test lab • Testing multi-tier applications • Isolated networks • Simulating multiple clients • Rapid setup and tear-down of test environments • Consistent configurations • Ability to easily roll-back changes • Automation of VM setup and software installation
Virtual Machine Roll-Backs • Can revert virtual machines to their initial state • Can create “snapshots” after changes • Can roll back to a particular snapshots
Estimating VM Resource Requirements • Number of VMs • Estimated memory per VM • Estimated disk space per VM • Resource usage estimates
Determining VM Placement Approach: Categorize VMs based on resource utilization Combine VMs that have “compatible” workloads
Virtual Server vs. VirtualPC • Improved performance (multi-threaded) • Web-Based Administration • Scripting and automation support (COM API) • Improved security • Advanced networking • Manageability • SCSI Device Support • Reliability/availability features (clustering) • Optimized for one or a few concurrent VMs (single-threaded) • Simplified administration • Sound card emulation • Easier file sharing • Automatic client desktop resizing Virtual Server 2005 VirtualPC
Setting up a Test Lab • Create overall test plans and requirements • OS and version requirements • Service Packs / updates, etc. • Hardware configurations for VMs • CPU, Memory, Disk Space, Network configuration • Create a naming convention for VMs • Create base images • Create network address conventions • IP address ranges and subnets • Support for multi-tier applications • Multiple networks (host-only, routed, NATs, etc.)
Designing Base VM Images • Goals: • Minimize the number of base images • Include as much functionality as possible
Deploying Software • Media-based deployments • Automatic mounting of ISOs • Network-based installations • Automated OS Deployment • Image-based or PXE Booting • Application Deployment • OS Startup Scripts and Network shares • Third-party software distribution tools
Automating Virtualization • Common operations can be scripted or automated • Test Lab Management Applications • Web-based • Client-based
VM Maintenance • Establish a base library of images • Ensures consistency • Helps in troubleshooting • Prepare VMs for duplication (SysPrep) • Create a Library of ISO files • Manage virtual machines as if they were physical machines • Security updates • Automatic Updates (if supported in Guest OS) • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) • Windows Server Update Services (SUS) • Patches • Corporate security standards • Configure anti-spyware / anti-malware exceptions • *.vhd, *.vud, *.vsv, *.iso
Managing Performance • Profile your applications • Windows System Monitor • Counter Logs • Event Viewer • Task Manager • Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) • Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) • Systems Management Server (SMS) • Monitoring Approach: • Host Server: Aggregate performance data • Guest OS: Detailed resource usage
VM Backup and Recovery • Backup and Recovery • Option 1: • Shut down/save state of the VM • Copy all required files. • Resume the VM • Option 2: • Use Backup Agents within the Guest OS. • Automating backups: • Build scripts/applications to automate virtual machine backup and recovery: • 1) Save state of the virtual machine • 2) Copy all related files • 3) Resume the virtual machine
Implementing Host-Level Backups • Backup VM files from the host file system • Host-Level Backup Options:
For More Information • Resources from Anil Desai • Web Site (http://AnilDesai.net) • E-Mail: Anil@AnilDesai.net • Keystone Learning Course: “Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Implementation and Maintenance (Exam 70-431)” • The Rational Guide to Managing Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 • The Rational Guide to Scripting Microsoft Virtual Server 2005
Summary / Conclusion Q & A, Discussion