Virtualizing a Linux Computer - Getting Started

Getting Started Advanced Best Practices FAQ Troubleshooting

You can convert a client computer into a virtual machine (VM). Perform the following to convert a client computer into a VM:

  1. Verify the Prerequisites
  2. Setup the Client
  3. Download the Boot CD Image
  4. Setup the ESX Server
  5. Create an Instance
  6. Virtualize the Client

Verify the Prerequisites

What Can Be Virtualized

What Cannot Be Virtualized
Any client that satisfies the System Requirements for 1-Touch client.  

Install and Setup Virtual Server iDataAgent

Ensure that the Virtual Server iDataAgent is installed on atleast one client computer in the CommCell. For more information, refer to Getting Started - VMware Deployment.

Setup the Client

Install the Linux File System iDataAgent

Install the Linux File System iDataAgent using the Calypso Installer Version released with Service Pack 4 (or higher). For more information, refer to Getting Started - Linux File System Deployment.

Enable 1-Touch

1.
  • From the CommCell Console, navigate to <Client> | File System iDataAgent | defaultBackupSet.
  • Right-click the default subclient and click Properties.

    You must use default subclient to perform the 1-Touch backup.

2.
  • Click 1-Touch Recovery tab.
  • Select 1-Touch Recovery.
  • Click OK.

Perform A Backup

1.
  • From the CommCell Console, navigate to <Client> | File System iDataAgent | defaultBackupSet.
  • Right-click the subclient, and click Backup.
2.
  • Select Full.
  • Select Immediate.
  • Click OK.

Before virtualizing a client computer, ensure that you have successfully completed at least one full backup of the default subclient.

Download the BOOT CD Image

DVD4.iso is the Boot CD image for a Linux client. It will be available in the Linux Live CD directory of the Calypso Installer package. You can also download the DVD4.iso. Ensure that you have SP4 or higher version of DVD4.iso.

  1. Log on to the Maintenance Advantage web site.

  2. Click the Downloads & Packages tab to download the DVD4.iso.

Setup the ESX Server

  1. Verify the connectivity between the CommServe and the vCenter in which you want to create the VM
  2. Copy the boot CD Image to any datastore on the ESX server in which you want to create the VM.

Create an Instance in the Virtual Server iDataAgent

 Follow the steps given below to create an instance for a vCenter in which you want to create the VM:

1.
  • From the CommCell Browser, navigate to <Client> | Virtual Server.
  • Right-click the Virtual Server | All Tasks and click Create New Instance.
2.
  • Enter the Instance Name.
  • Select VMware from Vendor Type menu.
3.
  • Click Virtual Center.
  • Enter the host name of the vCenter.
  • Click Configure Password.
  • Enter the username and password associated with the Virtual Center.
  • Click OK to save the instance.
4.
  • From the CommCell Browser, navigate to Client Computers | <Client>.
  • Right-click the Virtual Server and select All Tasks | Refresh Datacenters.

    It could take several minutes for a newly created instance to appear in the list of instances.

    Once you create the instance, the information about the ESX sever, vCenter and the Data Store is pre-populated in the Virtualize Me dialog box.

 Virtualize the Client

Follow the steps given below to convert a client computer into a VM:

1. Turn off the client computer.  
2.
  • From the CommCell Console, navigate to Client Computers.
  • Right-click the <Client> and select All Tasks | Virtualize Me.
3.
  •  Select a vCenter from the vCenter list.
  • Click the ... button and browse to select an ESX Server and a Data Store.
  • Click the ... button for the ISO Path box and browse to the location of the Boot CD image on the ESX Server.

    If you want to change the hardware configuration, click Advanced. For more information, refer to Advanced section of this documentation.

  • Click OK.

The virtual machine will be created in the specified ESX server.

4. You can track the progress of the Virtualization job from the Job Controller window of the CommCell Console. The following three jobs are launched during the virtualization operation:
  • Virtualize Machine
  • 1-Touch Configuration Restore
  • Full System Restore

    You can not suspend or kill the Virtualize Machine job when the other two jobs are running.
5. Once the job is complete, view the job details from the Admin Job History. From the CommCell Browser, right-click <CommServe> and select View | Admin Job History.
6.
  • Select Virtualize Me under Job Type.
  • Click OK.
 
7. You can view the following options about the job by right-clicking the job:
  • Details of the job
  • Events of the job
  • Log files of the job
  • Resubmit the job to run it again

Congratulations - You have successfully Converted a client computer into a Virtual Machine.

If you want to further explore additional features read the Advanced section of this documentation.