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Archive for May, 2010

SCVMM (Error 2910) : VMM does not have appropriate permissions to access the resources : Host needs attention

May 30, 2010 Leave a comment
 
If you get this error in SCVMM and your hosts are managed on the perimeter network, this is caused due the Host on a Perimeter Network that was previously able to communicate with the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 server no longer can.
 
A manual refresh of the host will result in a job failure as shown here:
 
 
 
 

The password used by the VMMAgent Service Account has expired, or the Service Account itself has been disabled or deleted. This may more frequently in a workgroup environment where password expiration default is set to 48 days.

Check if the policy ‘User must change password at next logon’ is enforced there will be an initial successful connection between the Perimeter Host and the VMM Server, followed by subsequent communication failure

 
Quick fix:
 
  1. On the Perimeter Host server, right-click My Computer and the click Manage.
  2. Open Local Users and Groups, and then open Users.
  3. In the right-hand pane, locate the service account for VMMAgent that begins with ‘SCVMM*****’.
  4. Right-click the service account and then select Properties.
  5. Click to clear the User must change password at next logon check box.

       6. Click to select the Password never expires check box.

     7. Click OK to close the ‘SCVMM***** Properties’ window.

     8. Refresh the Perimeter Host in the SCVMM Admin console again.

 

 
Categories: Virtualization

Hyper-V : Correct Memory Sizing for Child and Root Partitions

May 28, 2010 Leave a comment
 

Here are some recomendations about how you should size VM memory :

You must size it to reasonably handle the expected load at ordinary and peak times because insufficient memory can significantly increase response times and CPU or I/O usage.

When running Windows in the child partition, you can use the following performance counters within a child partition to identify whether the child partition is experiencing memory pressure and is likely to perform better with a higher VM memory size:

Performance counter

Suggested threshold value

Memory – Standby Cache Reserve Bytes

Sum of Standby Cache Reserve Bytes and Free and Zero Page List Bytes should be 200 MB or more on systems with 1 GB, and 300 MB or more on systems with 2 GB or more of visible RAM.

Memory – Free & Zero Page List Bytes

Sum of Standby Cache Reserve Bytes and Free and Zero Page List Bytes should be 200 MB or more on systems with 1 GB, and 300 MB or more on systems with 2 GB or more of visible RAM.

Memory – Pages Input/Sec

Average over a 1-hour period is less than 10.

 

 

Correct Memory Sizing for Root Partition

The root partition must have sufficient memory to provide services such as I/O virtualization, snapshot, and management to support the child partitions. The root partition should have at least 512 MB available. Using Server Core in the root partition leaves additional memory for the VMs to use (approximately 80 MB for commit charge on 64-bit Windows).

A good standard for the memory overhead of each VM is 32 MB for the first 1 GB of virtual RAM plus another 8 MB for each additional GB of virtual RAM. This should be factored in the calculations of how many VMs to host on a physical server. The memory overhead varies depending on the actual load and amount of memory that is assigned to each VM.

 

Categories: Virtualization

Patching and/or Updating Hyper-V : Recomendations

May 25, 2010 Leave a comment
 
 Patching and or Updating a Windows 2008/R2/Hyper-V Physical Host requires a close attention to the minimal details.
 Specially in production environment as we are talking not only to Microsoft patch/updates but also Industry products such as Lan cards drivers, Bios, Software Agents, firmwares, it’s important for you to remember that the updates are required only under certain circumstances ( e.g  updating you Network Lan Driver could let you to lose the Virtual Switchs Networks ).
 
Some recomendations :
 
1. Reduce/avoid some updates by using the Core Version. It’s my favorite version and not only because of this reason but also because it uses a lower resources translating in more CPU/memory to the VMs.
 
2. Only download updates that are available on Windows Update, as well those that are available at the Microsoft Download Center and Vendors Websites. NEVER, NEVER use DRIVERS/FIRMWARES from others sources. My recomendation is always go to the Vendor website to get the most updated driver/firmware. Don’t even think about downloading it from others sites/p2p networks. Why ? Simple, it could contain virus/worms and modified code.
 
2. PLAN : You might need a reboot of the Physical Production Host ( If you already implemented Live Migration, nothing to be worried : just move the VMs to another Hyper-V host . If not, it’s time for you to revise your downtime plan )
 
3.  Change the Windows Update Settings to Check for Updates and to let you choose which one is necessary.
 
 

Comprehensive list of Hyper-V R2 updates

 

Knowledge Base Article Name Date Required? File Name Applies to Availability Link

KB974598

“You receive a "Stop 0x0000007E" error on the first restart after you enable Hyper-V on a Windows Server 2008 R2-based computer”‘

10/1/2009

Yes, if you encounter this error and your server uses a “C-state” (lower power state) that is supported by the processor, but is not supported by Hyper-V.

Windows6.1-KB974598-x64.msu

Windows Server 2008 R2

Hotfix

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=181559

KB974909

“The network connection of a running Hyper-V virtual machine is lost under heavy outgoing network traffic on a Windows Server 2008 R2-based computer”

10/21/2009

No.

Windows6.1-KB974909-v2-x64.msu

Windows Server 2008 R2

Hotfix

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=183312

KB975354

“A Hyper-V update rollup package is available for a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2”

11/10/2009

Yes, if you are running a backup or restore solution.

Windows6.1-KB975354-v2-x64.msu Windows6.1-KB975354-ia64.msu Windows6.1-KB975354-x86.msu

Windows Server 2008 R2

Hotfix

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=179092

KB975530

“Stop error message on an Intel Xeon 5500 series processor-based computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2 and that has the Hyper-V role installed: "0x00000101 – CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT"

11/20/2009

Yes, if you are running Hyper-V on the affected hardware.

Windows6.1-KB975530-v3-x64.msu

Windows Server 2008 R2

Download Center, Hotfix

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=179091

Categories: Virtualization

Safely service offline virtual machines in your SCVMM library : Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 3.0

May 17, 2010 Leave a comment
 
Yes, that’s right, you can use the new Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 3.0 to automate and safely service offline virtual machines. Alsom this tool is FREE.
 
The version 3, added powerful new features designed to streamline the process of keeping the offline virtual machines, templates and VHDs up-to-date, helping  effectively  to manage the workflow of updating the offline virtual machines
 
 Also, VMST 3.0 now automates the servicing of Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V host clusters, leveraging live migration.
 

Using new features in VMST 3.0, customers can now service:

  • Offline virtual machines in a SCVMM library.
  • Stopped and saved state virtual machines on a host.
  • Virtual machine templates.
  • Offline virtual hard disks in a SCVMM library by injecting update packages.
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 failover clusters running Hyper-V.       

Important : As VMST 3.0 is designed to work with Microsoft® System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) 2008 or SCVMM 2008 R2, to install it, you will need the SCVMM administrative console installed first on the same machine.
 
 
Categories: Virtualization

The parent partition uses a different VMBus version. You need to Install a matching VMBus version in this guest installation.

May 12, 2010 Leave a comment
 
If you find these errors bellow in your System Event Logs, dont worry and IGNORE IT as they erroneous logged.  The drivers are in the correctly version and are functioning perfectly. These errors are reported because the Physical Host ( Hypervisor ) is running Windows 2008 and the guest machines are running Windows 2008 R2
 
Event Logs Errors to be igonored :
 
A storage device in ‘2008R2-Guest’ cannot load because it is incompatible with the server virtualization stack.  Server version 2.0  Client version 4.2.
Log Name: System
Source: storvsp
Event ID: 5
Level: Error
Computer: 2008 R2 guest
Description: A storage device in ‘2008R2-Guest’ cannot load because it is incompatible with the server virtualization stack. Server version 2.0 Client version 4.2 . 
 
The parent partition uses a different VMBus version. You need to Install a matching VMBus version in this guest installation.
Log Name: System
Source: vmbus
Event ID: 2
Level: Error
Computer: 2008R2-Guest
Description: The parent partition uses a different VMBus version. You need to Install a matching VMBus version in this guest installation.
 
 
NIC driver on ‘2008R2-Guest’ cannot load because it is incompatible with the server virtualization stack.  Server version 2  Client version 196610 .
Log Name: System
Source: VMSMP
Event ID: 26
Level: Error
Computer: 2008R2-Guest
Description: NIC driver on ‘2008R2-Guest’ cannot load because it is incompatible with the server virtualization stack. Server version 2 Client version 196610 (VMID 9A5FAAC3-1F7A-442D-9525-46B39ACE22DB).
 
Categories: Virtualization

Free Virtualization Workshops in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

May 6, 2010 Leave a comment
 
DON’T MISS IT : ONLY 70 participants per city : Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide. IT’S FREE.
 
Jeff Alexander and  Giovanni Marchetti will be running 2 day workshops where attendees can get all the latest updates on Hyper-V, System Centre Virtual Machine Manager, System Centre Operations Manager, System Centre Data Protection Manager.  Plus you’ll be able to get your hands dirty with labs on each technology.
 
There will be food provided and in each city we will be giving away a copy of the latest Hyper-V Resource Kit.
 

Event Overview

Two day workshop focused on Hyper-V and Microsoft Virtualization technologies.  The 2 day workshop will be a mixture of theory presentations and hands on labs.  Participants will walk away with a better understanding of Microsoft’s Virtualization technologies.

Agenda Topics

  • Day 1
    • Virtualization 360 OverviewWS08R2-HyperV_h_rgb
    • Evaluating the Environment & Planning:  MAP Tools and IPD Guides
    • MAP Lab
    • Hyper-V Architecture and Implementation – Hypervisor architecture, virtual disk and networks, security and licensing.
    • High Availability – 2008 R2 Clusters, Quick and Live Migration, Storage Implications
    • Lab:  Setup a 2-Node Hyper-V ClusterSysCntr_08_R2_3DR
  • Day 2
    • System Centre Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 – Creating a Library, Physical to Virtual Migration, Optimal Placement
    • System Centre Operations Manager – Overview and integration with Virtual Machine Manager
    • System Centre Data Protection Manager – Overview and integration with Virtual Machine Manager
    • Architecture Considerations and Best Practices – Sizing Servers, storage and designing for high availability
    • Considerations on Dynamic IT – Integrating Hyper-V, SCVMM, SCOM with PowerShell to build a dynamic environment
    • Lab: Setup SCVMM and SCOM

Dates and Registration Details:

Melbourne
Date: May 31st – June 1st
Location:  Microsoft Melbourne
Time: 9:00 – 5:00PM each day
Registration:  Click Here to Register
Sydney
Date: June 10th – June 11th
Location – Microsoft Sydney
Time: 9:00 – 5:00Pm each day
Registration: Click Here to Register
Canberra
Date: June 3rd – June 4th
Location – Microsoft Canberra
Time: 9:00 – 5:00PM each day
Registration:  Click Here to Register
Perth
Date: June 15th – June16th
Location – Microsoft Perth
Time:  9:00 – 5:00PM each day
Registration: Click Here to Register
Brisbane
Date: June 7th – June 8th
Location – Microsoft Brisbane
Time: 9:00 – 5:00PM each day
Registration: Click Here to Register
Adelaide
Date: June 21st – June 22nd
Location – Microsoft Adelaide
Time: 9:00 – 5:00Pm each day
Registration: Click Here to Register
Categories: Virtualization