Separate systems for production and backup
Data centers that offer computing power for production or backup without VM2000 have to have several different servers for different system environments.
With VM2000 it is possible to offer the same service on a single SE (Server Units /390 and x86) high-performance server. This makes more sophisticated capacity planning possible and allows savings to be made in terms of floor space and personnel.
The same benefits can also be gained by customers who themselves require different production environments. Sensitive applications can be isolated in a secure environment with VM2000.
Parallel operation of production, development and testing
A separate system environment is sometimes necessary for the development and testing of user systems for the following reasons:
System functions not used to date are addressed
(the application may have been programmed incorrectly or run inefficiently)System modifications are being tested
(applications which have not been fully tested can disturb productive operation, e.g. through high resource utilization)Errors are caused intentionally or unintentionally in test cases
VM2000 permits what are known as “virtual block times”, i.e. selected systems can be run on a Server Unit but do not affect the other systems running at the same time, even in the event of system errors. In conjunction with resource allocation to the individual systems, it is also possible to run multiple test environments in parallel with production.
Version changes
In order to prepare themselves for changes to the versions of the operating system or system-related software, personnel must get to know how to install and use the new versions. It must be ensured that production runs smoothly in the new environment. VM2000 supports you in:
reducing night-time testing and weekend working when it comes to operating the new version and testing for production
converting production to the new system environment step by step, in as far as this is possible with separate, independent bodies of data
VM2000 in the data center
In addition to the savings potential in terms of operating staff and computer space requirements, VM2000 also offers a high degree of cost-effectiveness and optimum use of resources through the virtualization of the CPU and main memory.
VM2000 supports accounting for the computer performance and resources provided for a customer:
Accounting according to usage
The VM-specific accounting records provided by VM2000 show how many resources were used for how long.Definition of Service Level Agreements
The customer is guaranteed a certain CPU capacity with a price based on RPF. The CPU capacity of the VM is restricted to the required value using the “maximum CPU utilization” attribute (MAX-CPU-UTILIZATIONoperand).Creating CPU pools and dedicated CPUs
CPUs can be grouped in CPU pools. Only the VMs which are assigned to a CPU pool utilize the CPUs of this pool. The CPUs and VMs of the pool form a subsystem of the Server Unit, and this is made available to a customer.If the CPU pool contains enough real CPUs, the scheduling procedure “fixed CPU assignment (dedicated CPUs)” reaches the highest level of performance (SU /390).
Creating VM groups (SU /390)
For customers with multiple VMs it is possible to create a VM group and define an arrangement based on Service Level Agreements. In the first step the CPU capacity and CPU utilization for the VM group are defined. In the second step the performance distribution within the VM group is defined. When distributing the CPU capacity which a VM in a VM group does not use, the scheduling procedure gives preference to the other VMs in the VM group.Granularity setting of CPU-QUOTA and MAX-CPU-UTILIZATION The two attributes for controlling the VM’s performance can be specified with two decimal places. This means that very high Server Unit definitions are possible in the one-digit RPF area up to one percent of the CPU capacity.
VM Migration (Live Migration) under VM2000
To increase the availability and improve the load balancing between the Server Units, it is possible, on a Server Unit /390 or x86, to migrate a virtual machine during ongoing guest system operation under VM2000 from the local Server Unit to another Server Unit of the same type, while containing the VM’s resources.