INSITE - What we do - Virtual Infrastructure Methodology

Virtual Infrastructure Methodology

Insite is a strategic VMware Authorised Consultancy (VAC partner) that focuses on the implementation of VMware virtual infrastructure into production IT environments.

Unlike the majority of VMware partners we do not see ourselves as a simple fulfilment channel for VMware software & services; we see ourselves as a catalyst for change and expect to work closely with our customers to achieve wide scale adoption of VMware across a wide range of organisations.

We understand the risks associated with making changes to production IT infrastructure and utilise a proven methodology that not only comprehensively manages the risk but also demonstrates the practical & operational benefits of VMWare.

Approach

We believe the most important phases of any virtualisation project are due diligence, including the development of a compelling business case, and a proof of concept that proves that a VMware virtual infrastructure is suitable for the production IT environment.

Insite is trained and qualified to use the VMware Capacity Planner and uses this tool exclusively for due diligence projects including virtualisation and sizing assessments. The following diagram summarises our approach to implementing VMware Server Virtualisation solutions;

Due diligence & assessment

The Insite due diligence service provides a detailed audit of a customer’s physical servers and develops the business case to clearly demonstrate the cost benefits available through adopting a VMware virtual infrastructure. Due diligence deliverables are;

Load analysis of existing physical WinTel servers using Insite load analysis software & VMware Capacity Planner.
VMware virtualisation assessment based on results from load analysis and applications in use
Preliminary VMware infrastructure sizing assessment & design using preferred hardware vendor
Development of business case based on server refresh and annual server procurement

We analyse the load on each server during working hours & out of hours for a period of up to three weeks to generate an accurate usage profile. We recommend that the analysis takes place during the busiest time of the month so that we capture periods of highest server activity.

The following parameters are continuously monitored at 60 second intervals;

Object	Counter	Capacity Indication
System	% Total CPU Time Processor queue length	>85% = server at capacity >15 = server at capacity
Paging file	% Usage	>85% = insufficient virtual memory
Physical disk	Current disk queue length % disk time	>2 = disk bottleneck >75% = performance issues
	Logical disk usage	Disk storage required
Memory	Total physical memory Available physical memory	Memory in use by server
WINMSD	Logical CPU’s	Number & speed of CPU’s

The cost of the due diligence service is based on the number of physical servers analysed.

Proof of concept service

The Insite proof of concept service is designed for customers with a requirement to prove that a VMware virtual infrastructure is compatible with their production IT environment and that it will perform as well or better than existing physical servers. Proof of concept deliverables are;

Definition and documentation of success criteria
Configuration of a VMware ESX Virtual Infrastructure test & validation facility including Virtual Center
Performance benchmarking of existing physical servers
Virtualisation of a cross section of existing servers using P to V (Physical to Virtual) software
Performance benchmarking of virtual machines
Sizing metrics for production VMware Virtual Infrastructure
Documentation of installation & virtualisation procedures to effect a skills transfer

VMware virtual infrastructure

Insite will configure a VMware virtual infrastructure consisting of two VMware ESX host servers connected to a SAN and a Virtual Center server.

Performance benchmarking

Insite utilises iScripter Pro software to develop test scripts and to measure the response from any application with client software that runs on a MS Windows PC.

Server virtualisation

Insite utilises VMware P to V or PlateSpin PowerConvert software to virtualise a representative sample of existing physical servers.

Sizing metrics

Insite utilises the VMware toolkit to provide usage statistics for every virtual machine. Sizing metrics are based on an historical analysis of the usage statistics.

Cost

The cost of the proof of concept service is based on the number of physical servers that are to be virtualised & benchmarked.