Efficient Virtual Machine Cloning for Enhanced Performance and Disaster Recovery
This project by Christopher H. Murray from Eastern Kentucky University explores the innovative approach of cloning virtual machines using Norton Ghost and other deployment tools. The motivation behind the project emphasizes the need for standardized settings and quick recovery options for virtual environments. The problem statement identifies the challenge of cloning and deploying virtual machines across multiple hosts. Proposed solutions include practical methods for remote deployment, leading to results that demonstrate effective file transfer for creating identical virtual machines. Future work aims to refine these techniques for mass deployment.
Efficient Virtual Machine Cloning for Enhanced Performance and Disaster Recovery
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Presentation Transcript
Virtual Machine Cloning Christopher H. Murray Eastern Kentucky University Computer Electronic Networking
Outline • The original concept • Motivation • Problem Statement • Proposed and Final Solutions • Results and Conclusions • Future Possibilities
The Original Concept • Using an image program, specifically Norton Ghost, deploy an image from one virtual machine to another without effecting the operating system of the host/physical box which the virtual machines are installed on.
Motivation • For administration purposes it is useful to use standardized settings and features. • Using virtual machines allows for faster disaster (crash) recovery. • The importance of having 100% uptime is financial “time is money” and often government regulations for certain industries. • Virtual machines have the ability to increase the efficiency of the host machine. 25-30% processor usage to 75-80%
Problem Statement • To clone a virtual machine and deploy that clone to other host machines via a network from a central system thus creating identical virtual machines on those hosts.
Proposed Solutions • The methods I took into consideration • Norton Ghost v14.0 • EMCO Remote Deployment Kit • Radmin 3.1
Radmin 3.1 Method Installed Microsoft Virtual PC on two systems and loaded Microsoft XP Professional onto the first machine.
Radmin 3.1 Method Cont. • Installed the Radmin “Viewer” on the local system and the “Server” on the remote system.
Radmin 3.1 Method Cont. • With the Viewer, remote into the Server using a username and password setup on the server side.
Radmin 3.1 Method Cont. • I now have full control over the remote system.
Radmin 3.1 Method Cont. • With the Radmin File Transfer option choose the files to copy from the local system to the remote system and choose the destination for them.
Radmin 3.1 Method Cont. • Once the .vmz and .vhd files are copied to the “My Virtual Computers” file on the remote system both machines have identical virtual machines.
Results • Even though it wasn’t done the way I had intended when I began, using this method it is easy to deploy from a server system the files needed to make identical virtual machines on one or many host systems on a network.
Conclusions • I still believe that with a little more time I can use Norton Ghost to image virtual machines just like you can with physical machines and I fully intend to keep working on it beyond EET499.
Future Possibilities • Future capstone projects could include imaging a virtual machine with Norton Ghost or other imaging program to perform a mass deployment. • Email: chrishm07@yahoo.com
