SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

Virtualization with Xen

Publication Date 28 Feb 2011

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Contents

Preface
1. Feedback
2. Additional Documentation
3. Documentation Conventions
1. Introduction to Xen Virtualization
1.1. Basic Components
1.2. Understanding Virtualization Modes
1.3. Xen Virtualization Architecture
1.4. The Virtual Machine Host
1.5. Supported Virtualization Limits
2. Setting Up a Virtual Machine Host
2.1. Best Practices and Suggestions
2.2. Setting Up a 32-Bit Domain 0 on a 64-Bit Hypervisor
2.3. Managing Domain 0 Memory
2.4. Networks Card in Fully Virtualized Guests
2.5. Starting the Virtual Machine Host
3. Setting Up Virtual Machines
3.1. Creating a Virtual Machine
3.2. Installing an Operating System
3.3. Including Add-On Products in the Installation
3.4. Using the Command Line to Create Virtual Machines
3.5. Deleting Virtual Machines
3.6. Using an Existing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Virtual Machine
3.7. Troubleshooting
4. Managing a Virtualization Environment
4.1. Virtual Machine Manager
4.2. Controlling the Host by Modifying xend Settings
4.3. Configuring a Virtual Machine by Modifying its xend Settings
4.4. The xm Command
5. Virtualization: Configuration Options and Settings
5.1. Virtual CD Readers
5.2. Remote Access Methods
5.3. VNC Viewer
5.4. The Boot Loader Program
5.5. Changing the Host’s Desktop from Text Mode to GUI Mode
5.6. Paravirtual Mode and Journaling File Systems
5.7. Virtual Machine Initial Startup Files
5.8. Sparse Image Files and Disk Space
5.9. Virtual Keyboards
5.10. Mapping Physical Storage to Virtual Disks
5.11. Virtual Disks
5.12. Migrating Virtual Machines
5.13. Passing Key Combinations to Virtual Machines
5.14. xm block-list Device Numbers
5.15. File-Backed Virtual Disks and Loopback Devices
5.16. Saving Virtual Machines
5.17. Restoring Virtual Machines
5.18. Virtual Machine States
6. Xen Guest Systems
6.1. NetWare Virtual Machines
6.2. OES Linux Virtual Machines
6.3. SUSE Linux Virtual Machines
6.4. Windows Virtual Machines
7. Virtual Machine Drivers
7.1. Buying a Support Subscription
7.2. Loading the Driver Pack
7.3. SUSE Drivers for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 on Xen
7.4. SUSE Drivers for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 on Xen
7.5. SUSE Drivers for Windows on Xen
7.6. SUSE Drivers for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server on Xen

List of Figures

1.1. Virtualization Architecture
1.2. Desktop Showing Virtual Machine Manager and Virtual Machines
3.1. Installing an Operating System
3.2. Summary
3.3. Command Line Interface
4.1. Desktop Showing Virtual Machine Manager and Virtual Machines
4.2. Virtual Machine Manager Main Console
5.1. YaST Remote Administration
5.2. Mozilla Firefox VNC Viewer
5.3. Boot Loader Settings
5.4. Boot Loader Settings: Section Management

List of Tables

2.1. Hardware Requirements
5.1. Initial Startup File Entries and Descriptions
5.2. Language and Keymap Settings
5.3. uname Settings
6.1. Virtual Machines and Host Architectures

List of Examples

5.1. Xen Section in the menu.lst File (Typical)
5.2. Xen Section in the menu.lst File (PAE)
5.3. Example: Virtual Machine Output from Xend