Transcript Virtual_Machines_for_DB - University of Wisconsin

Virtual Machines: A method
for distributing DB
processing software
Liam Gumley
Space Science and Engineering
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
What is a Virtual Machine?
According to VMware:
• “A virtualized x86 PC environment
on which a guest operating system
and associated application software
can run.”
• “Multiple virtual machines can
operate on the same host machine
concurrently.”
Space Science and Engineering
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
SeaDAS
Linux Virtual Machine
Windows XP
The Players
•
•
•
VMware, VirtualBox, and Parallels
all support Windows, Linux, Mac
host operating systems
Just about any x86 OS is supported
as a guest operating system (as a
VM)
VirtualBox is free for personal use
Space
Science
Engineering only supports Windows hosts and guests
Note:
Virtual
PCand
(Microsoft)
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Why are VMs relevant to DB?
1. All currently available DB
processing packages are supported
on Linux, e.g., IMAPP, DBCRAS,
DBGE, SPAs, SeaDAS, HDFLook,
etc.
2. Many users in DB land are still tied
to Windows hosts for processing
3. VMs provide an easy way to provide
a “ready to run” DB processing
Space Science and Engineering
system
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Typical DB install on Linux
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Find a new or spare computer
Install Linux
Download DB software
Install DB software
Test DB software
Set up data ingest
Make sure 1-6 are documented and
repeatable
Space Science and Engineering
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Typical DB VM install
1.
2.
3.
4.
Find a Windows computer
Install VMware player (free)
Download DB VM zip file
Run VMware player
Space Science and Engineering
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Advantages of a DB VM
1. An expert can install and configure
Linux and all the necessary
applications
2. End user has to invest only a small
amount of time
3. The system can be restored to
original state very easily (just
download the VM zipfile again)
Space Science and Engineering
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
VM Features
1. Networking configuration is handled
by the host, and via NAT in the VM:
If Internet works in the host, it works
in the VM
2. VM can share folders with the host:
Input files can be dropped in a host
directory (e.g., C:\MODIS)
3. VM can be suspended (like closing
a laptop)
Space Science and Engineering
Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison