Anyone ever used open source package "convirt"?

80484

Hello:

I just discovered the open source package "convirt" (http://www.convirture.com) which seems to have a lot of the functionality of VMWare Infrastructure for XEN and KVM based virtual machines.

Has anyone had any experience with it? Has it ever been tried with Oracle VM (which I know is XEN-based?)

TIA

Eric Raskin

713097

We looked at it because of your post. Thanks for the heads up.

I will post the outcome of our test system, downloading it now! We will be trying to use it for both KVM & Xen based kernels so keep your toes crossed.

80484

Thank you! We're waiting for new equipment to arrive (a couple of R710's with 24GB of RAM and dual processors). We're planning on running Oracle VM on it, so I'm hoping that convirt will fill in the rest of the puzzle.

I'm anxiously awaiting your results... :-)

Avi Miller-Oracle

pasinc wrote:
Has anyone had any experience with it? Has it ever been tried with Oracle VM (which I know is XEN-based?)

This, and openQRM have both been on my radar to test for a long time, but I still haven't managed to find the time to do so. I'm also eagerly awaiting your results.

80484

How has your testing gone? Is convirt worth a look?

713097

Test Systems:
Master Cent OS 5.3 updated
(1) node CentOS 5.3 Xen version default load, then updated to latest via yum.
(1) node CentOS 5.3 default load, then updated to latest via yum. KVM installed via: yum install qemu-kvm virt-manager virt-viewer python-virtinst
Master is a Dell R200 with 4 gigs ram, Xeon 3065 dual core cpu, dual 160gig hd sata
Each node is a Dell R200 with 8 gigs ram, Xeon 3065 dual core cpu, dual 160gig hd sata
Shared storage Openfiler SAN (Originally iSCSI, switched to NFS for test)


The good news:
It does what it says, it works with Xen and KVM based VM's/servers.
Active forum, people that care.
Commercial support available
Windows 2003/2008 up to enterprise versions run.
Windows 2000 with an ACPI HAL/KVM Patch, this was a KVM issue not Convirt.
Exchange, MSSQL both run, but we could not put a real load on them.
Linux CentOS 5.1 +, Ubuntu server & desktop, and Suse installed without issues.
Linux based routers worked without complaints, Vyetta, Wolverine, Untangle were tested.
XEN users can add disk space to a running VM

The we need to more work:
vlan's / Routing
They are realatively new, exciting to be in the begining again.
iSCSI is supported but it has to be setup on each node before it can be used.
Snap Shots are/have to be done on the san level so far anyway.

Things not supported or currently working:
Failover from one node to another is not supported yet...But working on it.
PXE boot of nodes.

Summary:
Although this thought makes me sick, "WOW... Look for someone to buy these guys also!!!!!" I have been really impressed with this little gem. I found nothing except failover that would give me hesitation, I am sure others will find other faults. In my environment it will fit the bill.

This is a portion of an email I sent their sales dept: "I would like to speak to someone about your services. Currently upset by Virtual Irons sale to Oracle and looking for other vendor possibilities."

Edited by: DocTech.us on Aug 8, 2009 12:27 PM

80484

Thanks for the update! Here's my config and my situation so far:

1) 1 Dell 1850 as server pool manager/utility server
2) 2 Dell R710 with 24GB of RAM as virtual servers
3) Equallogic PS3900XV for /OVS storage (configured manually) on OCFS2 file system
4) Oracle VM 2.1.5 on all systems

My first attempt to load convirt has been a failure. I tried their installation procedure, but it fails when trying to patch XMLRPCServer.py. The diff file isn't even close to what Oracle has installed. However, the gist of the patch seems to be to change the default port to 8006, which Oracle already as done. I am able to patch the xend-config.sxp file, but I can't seem to start xend after doing it. I get the following:

Xend started at Thu Aug 6 15:34:22 2009.
Exception starting xend: [('system library', 'fopen', 'No such file or directory'), ('BIO routines', 'FILE_CTRL', 'system lib'), ('SSL routines', 'SSL_CTX_use_PrivateKey_file', 'system lib')]
Xend started at Thu Aug 6 15:38:26 2009.
Exception starting xend: [('system library', 'fopen', 'No such file or directory'), ('BIO routines', 'FILE_CTRL', 'system lib'), ('SSL routines', 'SSL_CTX_use_PrivateKey_file', 'system lib')]

This looks to me like I am missing SSL libraries of some kind, or that the SSL key files are not there. I am continuing to research.

My goal is to be able to use convirt while still having access to EM Grid when necessary. Not sure if they will "play well together".