Author: Scott Page 9 of 31

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Looking For Virtualization Info and Advice

On February 19, 2008

For two unrelated projects I am looking into server virtualization. Both are for production systems and are not developer or consumer focused. Most of the conversations I’ve had about VMs so far have been in the context of software development and software testing, but I know there are many people out there that have successfully virtualized their production server environment. In talking about this with the people I’d be working on these projects with, here is a list of pros and cons we came up with based on what we’ve heard or read here and there — none of us are VM experts.

Pros

Can setup so that data is on one drive and OS/apps are on another, with each virtual drive being a separate VHD (virtual Hard Disk) file. With that, we can easily backup the data drive separate from the OS/app drive, and in the event of a major problem, we can restore one without the other. This can also be done with physical hardware, but we do not have access to the physical hardware.
Can create multiple virtual servers. For example, we can put e-mail on its own server, SQL Server on its own, and web on its own. We can then run all three VMs on a single physical machine. If we tax the limits of the physical machine, moving one of the virtual machines to another physical is a simple file copy (for the most part).
Backups and restores of entire servers or disks are file copies.
If we have two physical servers we can schedule regular backs from one to the other and in the event of one physical server going bad, we can turn on all the VMs on a single physical server while repairing/replacing the first physical server. Things would run more slowly, but at least they would be up.
We can test in other environments, such as Linux/Apache/Mono in a virtual server without having to have new hardware.
A problem with one virtual server will not affect the other servers.
Adding more servers is easy. Make a copy of one and change a few settings.

Cons

Takes up more disk space as there are multiple copies of OS and some apps — installed for each VM.
I would guess that running all three VMs (from the example above) on a single real machine would be less performant that running the three services directly on the real server.
Multiple licenses to OS/apps are needed. Multiple licenses = more $$$.

Questions

So based on what I have here so far, I have a few questions for my readers.

What pros and cons have I missed? What pros and cons have I listed, but are incorrect, or have significant caveats?
Can anyone provide any real world advice, info or data that would help us determine if, how and what we should virtualize?
Are there some services that should not be virtualized? POP3 e-mail? Exchange Server? SQL Server? IIS? If so, why and under what conditions? Is it OK sometimes, but not in certain cases?
How much does the load on one VM affect the host? What about the other VMs?
What about the host server? Minimum hardware specs? Recommended hardware specs? How do I calculate what I need? Do I simply add the specs of the VMs to calculate the specs of the host?
Microsoft Virtual Server? VMWare Server?

If you have anything to add, please leave a comment here or contact me here or reply on Twitter. I know there is a ton of info out there, but since this is not my area of expertise, I’d prefer to hear from someone I know who knows — even if what they share is simply their approval/disapproval of another source of information.

Thanks.

My Secret Recipe

By Scott

On February 18, 2008

In Uncategorized

Tonight, I had Charlie* to myself while Mommy is at work. I made her dinner around 6PM or so, and then let her go play while I was making myself something to eat. She’s almost 18 months now, and she plays really well by herself. It’s neat to see her start to play with little dolls and her doll house. I even saw her take a "sip" from her little tea set tonight.

Anyway, as I was saying, after feeding her, I made myself some dinner: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese with Fried Hot Dogs. Basically, you make the mac and cheese just like the box says, and in another skillet, you fry up some diced hot dog pieces. When the mac is done, mix in the hot dogs.

Well, Charlie found her way into the kitchen while I was cooking and she seemed to want some more food. She’s been eating a lot lately so she is probably growing. So before I mixed the hot dogs in, I scooped out a little mac and put it in a separate bowl. I let her keep running around, but she would keep coming back every few seconds for another bite. Evidently macaroni and cheese is one of her favorites.

She’s also learning to talk right now and is just starting to pick up new words. We’ve been stuck on "Mama", "Daddy", "uh oh", "good girl" and "what’s that" for what seems like forever, but the last week or so she’s been learning new words. So I thought I would try to teach her to say macaroni.

Four syllables is too much for an 18 month old.

So I decided to go with just "mac". Each time she would come for another bite (I almost typed byte right there… what a geek), I would say, "Charlie, say ‘mac’."

Each time, she said, "Cookie". Guess what she’s been having as a snack the last couple days.

So anyway, I thought I would share my special recipe for any other dads that need to make a quick easy dinner for their kids.

Ingredients

1 pkg.	Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
1/4 cup	Milk
4 tbsp.	Butter
2	Hot dogs

Directions

Boil enough water to cover the noodles. After water comes to a boil, add noodles and turn the heat down so that it doesn’t boil over. Dads like to cook on high, but trust me and my experience, scrubbing burned water off of the stove takes a lot longer than the extra minute or so you get for cooking on high. While the water and noodles are boiling, cut two hot dogs into small pieces, roughly 1/4" cube. After the noodles have boiled for a while (about 7 or 8 minutes), strain them and return them to the pot. Add butter (for best results, cut the butter into smaller chunks first), the milk and the powdered cheese stuff. Stir well. Scoop a small amount out for your toddler. Then stir in the cooked hot dogs. Be sure to drop a couple on the floor for the dogs (optional, only recommended if you have dogs). Makes a daddy-sized serving and a Charlie-sized serving.

That’s it. I’ve made this meal a number of times since I moved out almost 15 years ago, so, yes, I typed it from memory.

I can cook other stuff, though, too. Things that don’t come from a box even. Things that aren’t written on a recipe card. Things that other people have told me were tasty enough to eat again. The problem with that is two-fold:

I’m alone tonight and don’t want to make that much food.
I really don’t want to clean up after making one of those meals.

Maybe if I get inspired I’ll share another recipe sometime.

So anyway, try Scott’s Famous Mac and Cheese and Fried Hot Dogs sometime and share it with your kid. They’ll love it and you’ll only have two pans to clean.

* Yes, she has her own website. It’s full of photos for friends and family. You have to register to see the photos, but feel free if you wish. Kelly just wanted to be able to make it harder for the weirdos to see the pics.

New Milwaukee ALT.NET Group

By Scott

On February 16, 2008

In Uncategorized

If you were at the last WI .NET Users Group meeting, you already know, but for those that weren’t, there is a Milwaukee chapter of the ALT.NET User Group forming. Dan Miser is heading things up and the first meeting is Weds, March 5. Details are here.

If you’ve been following the movement, and are interested, you should definitely try to make it to the meeting and get involved. The format of the meetings will probably be different than our normal WI .NET UG meetings. From Dan’s blog post: "be prepared to be engaged, discuss, and share (bring your laptop to showcase code and/or slides)".

Dan and I got to talk a little after the last UG meeting, and we had a few ideas about collaboration between the two groups. I’m looking forward to talking to him some more and getting some joint meetings and/or coordinated topics setup.

Wednesdays are tough for me, but I’m going to try to make it. Please spread the word, and be sure to sign up for the meeting so Dan knows how many to expect.

Seeking Twitter Client Suggestions

By Scott

On February 15, 2008

In Uncategorized

Who uses Twitter? Please send me suggestions for what clients you use and what you like and don’t like. There’s lots of info out there, but would prefer to hear from people I know.

I’ve tried Twitter a couple times, and have posted a total of three tweets, one of which was today. If I can make it easy enough for my lazy butt to do it, I’m planning to be more active.

Same as always, leave a comment on this page or contact me with your suggestions and/or thoughts.

Deeper in .NET 2008 Registration Open!

By Scott

On February 12, 2008

In Uncategorized

I’m very happy to announce that registration for Deeper in .NET 2008 is now open. You can visit the site now to get the latest info and register to attend.

Lots of the info is still in the works, but there is definitely some good info out there now. In addition to all of the info about our sponsors (we have six so far!) we’ve announced three of the speakers that will be coming to Milwaukee on April 5 for Deeper in .NET 2008 (DiDN).

We’re very happy to have Jason Beres from Infragistics returning to Milwaukee. Jason has been at all but one of our Deeper in .NET conferences and has spoken for us more than just about any other single speaker (that’s one of those unverified statistics, but it seems to be about right).

Also, joining us this year courtesy of INETA is Mark Miller from Developer Express. I’ve never experienced the pleasure of seeing Mark present myself, but everyone I speak to tells me that I’ve been missing out. His presentation is sure to keep you entertained and informed.

Our third speaker for Deeper in .NET 2008 is Richard Campbell. You may know of Richard from his company Strangeloop Networks, or perhaps you’ve heard him as co-host on .NET Rocks! I spoke with Richard on the phone the other day and he sounds just as excited about coming to Milwaukee as we are to have him.

More speakers, the schedule, and the details of the different sessions will be posted in the upcoming weeks, so please keep checking back on the site for the latest info. I’ll also try to post updates on my site as more details are finalized.

I mentioned earlier that we have six sponsors signed up so far. We’re very thankful to New Resources Consulting (Platinum), Edgenet (Platinum), Centare Group (Gold), Stratagem (Gold), Compuware (Gold), and Exacta Corporation (Silver) for getting involved and supporting the group. Without them there wouldn’t be a conference this year.

We still need more sponsors, though, to make DiDN a huge success, so if your company is interested, please have them contact me and visit our sponsors page for more info.

So sign up today and start telling everyone you know about Deeper in .NET. If you blog, blog about it and trackback here or send me a link. Tell your co-workers, family and neighbors. I’m very excited about DiDN and it’s coming up soon on April 5 (just over 7 weeks away)!

Mock Objects Tonight at WI .NET UG

By Scott

On February 12, 2008

In Uncategorized

Tonight is meeting night for the WI .NET Users Group. Derik Whittaker is making the trek up from the Chicagoland area to talk to us about mock objects. After opening registration only a couple days ago, we already have 60 people signed up, so if you’re interested in coming, please register soon.

Tonight we have the pleasure of having a new sponsor for tonight’s meeting as well. Manpower Professional is putting us up at Libiamo’s Italian Restaurant downtown Milwaukee. Parking will be available in the Manpower parking structure next door to Libiamo’s.

I hope to see everyone there.

Music Suggestions

By Scott

On January 29, 2008

In Uncategorized

I need some suggestions for some good music that I can listen to while exercising and/or hiking, as well as while coding, so something with a good tempo. I like rock and alternative. Guitars are good, but I’m not really into heavy metal — I want to be able to understand the words (if there are any). I also like some occasional electronic music, but am not very familiar with the genres to know one from the other. While not required, I’d also like to find a new artist that I might not hear on the radio, iTunes, etc. No rap. No country. I’ll give just about anything else a listen.

If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments or contact me. Send links to sites/sample clips if you have them.

Thanks.

You know, what I really need is a place to upload a list of my music and get a suggestion based on similarity with other people’s lists.

Can Anyone Recommend An Electrical Engineer

By Scott

On January 25, 2008

In Uncategorized

At work, we are looking to design and build a small device, possibly running Windows CE (possibly not). We have been talking to a couple different engineers to get their feedback and estimates, but I would be interested in any personal recommendations that anyone might have.

Please contact me if you know anyone. We are first looking for someone to produce a prototype device, but also someone who can handle production runs as well. Also, they need to be within approximately 90 minutes or so from the Milwaukee area.

Holiday Party Canceled (For Now)

By Scott

On December 11, 2007

In Uncategorized

The WI .NET Users Group Holiday Party I mentioned before has been canceled due to weather. As soon as it is re-scheduled, we will let everyone know. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Coworking

By Scott

On December 7, 2007

In Uncategorized

Here’s something that sounds really interesting to me. About a week and a half ago, Larry Clarkin posted about “coworking”, and I’ve been meaning to write about it ever since. Coworking is an interesting concept. From the Coworking Community Blog: Coworking is a movement to create a community of cafe-like collaboration spaces for developers, writers and independents.

Do you work from home? I rarely do anymore because of the nature of my job, but I used to occasionally work from home. I was always fine for the first day or so, but if it was a more than a couple days, it was really hard for me to stay focused. I would run into roadblocks that would normally not be an issue.

Coworking would have been ideal for me. I would have the flexibility and freedom of working from home, but the collaboration opportunities of working at the office. If I ever start an at-home business, I am sure that I will be looking for coworking space opportunities.

Anyway, Larry is starting a coworking group in the Brookfield, WI area. The first meeting is on December 17 at 1:00 PM at Einstein Bagels on Bluemound. Of course he has all the pertinent into on his site, so check it out. Larry also points to the Wikipedia entry and the Coworking wiki (CoworkingMilwaukee) for more info.

I’m not yet sure if I’ll be able to make it myself, but I encourage you to check it out, especially if you work independently.