Greetings -
I will be getting a new server for my company in the next few months and am trying to get a better understanding of some of the basic theoretical approaches to using Centos KVM on a server. I have found plenty of things to read that discuss how to install KVM on the host and how to install a guest and setup the network bridge, and all the other rudimentary tasks. But all of these how to's make the assumption that I have a philosophical understanding of how KVM is incorporated into the design of how I use my server, or network of virtual servers as the case may be. So in general I am looking for some opinions or guidance from KVM experts or system administrators to help direct me along my path. Pointers to other HowTo's or Blogs are appreciated, but I have run out of Google search terms over the last month and haven't really found enough information to address my specific concerns. I suspect my post might get a little long, so before I give more details of my objectives and specific questions, please let me know if there is a better forum for me to post my question(s).
The basic questions I am trying to understand are, (1) what functions in my network should my host be responsible for, (2) what functions should logically be separated to different VMs, and (3) how should I organize disks, raid, LVM, partitions, etc to make best use of how my system will function? Know I know these questions are wide open without any context to what the purpose(s) of my new server are, and my existing background and knowledge, so that is the next part.
I am an ecologist by education, but I manage all the computer systems for my company with a dozen staff. I installed my current Linux server about 7 years ago (RHEL3) as primarily a Samba file server. Since then the functions of this server have expanded to include VPN access for staff and FTP access for staff and clients. Along the way I have gained knowledge and implement various other functions that are primarily associated with managing the system, such as tape backups, UPS shutdown configuration, Dell's OMSA hardware monitoring, and network time keeping. I am certainly not a Linux expert and my philosophy is to learn as I go, and document it so that I don't have to relearn it again. My current server is a Dell (PE2600) with 1 GB RAM and 6 drives in a RAID 5 configuration, without LVM. I have been blessed with a very stable system with only a few minor hiccups in 7 years. My new server will be a Dell (T610) with 12 GB RAM, 4 drives in a RAID 5 configuration, and an iDRAC6 Enterprise Card.
The primary function of my new server hardware will be as the Samba file server for the company. It may also provide all, or a subset of, the functions my existing server provides. I am considering adding a new gateway box (ClearOS) to my network and could possibly move some functions (FTP, VPN, etc.) to it if appropriate. There are also some new functions that my server will probably be responsible for in the near future (domain controller, groupware, open calendar, client backup system [BackupPC]). I am specifically planning on setting up at least one guest VM as a space to test and setup configurations for new functions for the server before making them available to all the staff.
So to narrow down my first two questions how should these functions be organized between the host system and any guest VMs? Should the host be responsible just for hardware maintenance and monitoring (OMSA, APC shutdown), or should it include the primary function of the hardware (Samba file server)? Should remote access type functions (FTP & VPN) be segregated off the host and onto a guest? Or should these be put on the gateway box?
I have never worked with LVM yet, and I am trying to understand how I should setup my storage space and allocate it to the host and any guests. I want to use LVM, because I see the many benefits it brings for flexible management of storage space. For my testing guest VM I would probably use an image file, but if the Samba file server function is in a guest VM I think I would rather have that as a raw LV partition (I think?). The more I read the more confused I get about understanding the hierarchy of the storage (disks.RAID.[PV,VG,LV].Partition.Image File) and how I should be looking at organizing and managing the file system for my functions. With this I don't even understand it enough to ask a more specific question.
Thanks to anyone that has had the patients for reading this much. More thanks to anyone that provides a constructive response.
Jeff Boyce Meridian Environmental