Use of virtual servers?

[J Burford Fields]

I'm planning a new installation. We have clustered & load balanced
front end, and clustered SQL Server systems for the back-end. Is there
any reason NOT to use VMWare ESX virtual servers for the View
Processing and Session Management server and for a separate SharePoint
Services Server?

I'm basically looking at an expanded version of "configuration 4" in
the Configuration Planning Guide (p69).

Thanks,
J

 

[Rolly Perreaux]

I'm planning a new installation. We have clustered & load balanced
front end, and clustered SQL Server systems for the back-end. Is there
any reason NOT to use VMWare ESX virtual servers for the View
Processing and Session Management server and for a separate SharePoint
Services Server?

I'm basically looking at an expanded version of "configuration 4" in
the Configuration Planning Guide (p69).

Thanks,
J

Hi J,

No reason that I can see

In fact we use a couple of Virtual Servers for that specific purpose and
also for training purposes in the MOC 2732 classes.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/syllabi/en-us/2732Afinal.mspx

Mind you we use Microsoft Virtual Server
But VMware ESX will work fine. ;-)

Question
Why cluster the Project Server front end? It really doesn't gain you web
redundancy. IMHO, you're better off creating a larger NLB web farm for
true web redundancy.

Just my 2 bits

--
Rolly Perreaux, PMP, MCSE
Project Server Trainer/Consultant

TriMagna Corporation
Microsoft Gold Partner
http://www.trimagna.com

 

[Ray McCoppin]

You may want to look at this article
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916533/en-us and
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897615/

Mircosoft does not support virtualization of project server.

 

[Rolly Perreaux]

You may want to look at this article
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916533/en-us and
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897615/

Mircosoft does not support virtualization of project server.

Actually that's incorrect
Here's the quote from your link at
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897615/

"Microsoft does not test or support Microsoft software running in
conjunction with non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software"

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 - YES
VMware ESX Server - NO

For more info:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/default.mspx

Cheers,

--
Rolly Perreaux, PMP, MCSE
Project Server Trainer/Consultant

TriMagna Corporation
Microsoft Gold Partner
http://www.trimagna.com

 

[J Burford Fields]

Question
Why cluster the Project Server front end? It really doesn't gain you web
redundancy. IMHO, you're better off creating a larger NLB web farm for
true web redundancy.

It just happens that the servers available are already clustered and
under-utilized for another small application.

 

[J Burford Fields]

I'm not sure how much I want to read into whether or not Microsoft
supports something on ESX server. Probably, there is history on both
sides of the argument, but at times I sure wish Microsoft played better
with others. If Microsoft is firing shots across the bow of anyone
wanting to employ the leading virtual server product, then it creates
demand for open-source development work on less restricted solutions
that will play well, and undermines the value of what I have learned
about their product.

J

 

[Rolly Perreaux]

It just happens that the servers available are already clustered and
under-utilized for another small application.

Hi J,

Can you un-cluster you server or do you need that redundancy for the
small application?

You'll get more bang for buck if you can create an NLB Web Farm and have
both Project Server and SharePoint installed and configured in the farm.

Food for thought...

--
Rolly Perreaux, PMP, MCSE
Project Server Trainer/Consultant

TriMagna Corporation
Microsoft Gold Partner
http://www.trimagna.com

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Read a lot less into it than you already have.<g> Microsoft doesn't
officially support Project Server deployment on Small Business Server, its
own product, why would you care if they supported VMWare, a competing
product? The bottom line is that VM ware is good product and you can run
Project Server components on it because you can run Windows Server on it.

 

[Rolly Perreaux]

I'm not sure how much I want to read into whether or not Microsoft
supports something on ESX server. Probably, there is history on both
sides of the argument, but at times I sure wish Microsoft played better
with others. If Microsoft is firing shots across the bow of anyone
wanting to employ the leading virtual server product, then it creates
demand for open-source development work on less restricted solutions
that will play well, and undermines the value of what I have learned
about their product.

J

I hear ya J
I'm only the messenger <g>

--
Rolly Perreaux, PMP, MCSE
Project Server Trainer/Consultant

TriMagna Corporation
Microsoft Gold Partner
http://www.trimagna.com

 

[J Burford Fields]

Yes, I've been looking at where SharePoint fits in, also. Currently,
it is not implemented.

 

[Rolly Perreaux]

Yes, I've been looking at where SharePoint fits in, also. Currently,
it is not implemented.

Hi J,

Yes you can un-cluster or yes you need the small application on the
cluster?

If you can un-cluster, then I would do the following:

1. Un-cluster the servers

2. Create an NLB web farm

3. Install WSS on the 1st instance of the web server

4. Install WSS on the 2nd instance of the web server

5. Create a temporary SharePoint site and verify connectivity

6. Then install WSSWIZ.exe on the 1st instance and then again on the 2nd
instance

7. Install Project Server components, View Processing and Session
Manager on your Virtual Server (hopefully MS Virtual Server

8. Install Project Server component, Front End on the 1st instance, then
on the 2nd instance.

Then you should be good to go

Good Luck!

--
Rolly Perreaux, PMP, MCSE
Project Server Trainer/Consultant

TriMagna Corporation
Microsoft Gold Partner
http://www.trimagna.com