We use a single dhcp server/config on the private network for both the blades and vm nodes.
In xCAT2 - there are globals set in the default /etc/dhcpd.conf and xCAT makes heavy use of the /var/lib/dhcpd/dhcpd.leases files for adding nodes, etc. We typically have blades that are part of the xCAT tables and vms that are not. We just add the vms to the /etc/hosts file same as the blades and just script the adding of the vms to the leases file. You could definitely add the vms to the xCAT tables - just to make use of the makedhcp cmd. But with hundreds of vm entries, that just cluttered up our xCAT tables. So we just elected to add them directly outside of the xCAT managed blades. Aaron On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 10:15 AM, Dmitri Chebotarov <dcheb...@gmu.edu> wrote: > > Thank you, I hope we can make it work in our environment as well... > > I keep searching and reading xCat docs - here is good one -> > http://sumavi.com/books/xcat-administrators-guide. > BTW, if you have any docs outside of xcat.org site, please share... At this > point I'm looking for xCat overview docs, i.e. to understand the process. > > Looks like xCat makes extensive use of DHCP server to manage nodes. Are you > using different DHCPd servers for VCL VMs and xCat nodes, or just keep > everything on one DHCP server and being careful with which MAC gets what? > > Thanks again for your help... > > On Feb 10, 2012, at 9:30 , Aaron Peeler wrote: > >> Dmitri, >> >> Just to add to Amit, comments. >> >> We use xCAT extensively here at ncsu. From provisioning end-user >> desktops and our hypervisors. xCAT very helpful when needed to install >> a chassis full of blades with esxi. >> >> As your installing xCAT You'll want to review >> https://cwiki.apache.org/VCL/adding-support-for-partimage-and-partimage-ng-to-xcat-2x-unofficial.html >> We added in VCL support for partimage - which is used to capture the >> disk images of end-user environments/desktops for windows and linux. >> >> When your adding nodes to vcl through the manage computers tool, make >> sure to choose "xCAT 2.x" . If your doing windows bare-metal, you'll >> also need to include sysprep and related mass storage drivers so it >> can be reloaded successfully. >> >> For sysprep review step 8 on this page: >> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/VCL/VCL+2.2.1+Management+Node+Installation >> >> Hope this info helps, >> Aaron >> >> >> On Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 4:03 PM, Dmitri Chebotarov <dcheb...@gmu.edu> wrote: >>> >>> Amit, >>> >>> Thanks a lot. >>> >>> >>> On Feb 9, 2012, at 15:57 , Kumar, Amit H. wrote: >>> >>>> Hi Dmitri, >>>> >>>> You general idea is correct to my best understanding. >>>> >>>> "Install Path" in the Edit management Node will be the path for xCAT(bare >>>> metal) image repository. In addition when you configure the "Site" table >>>> in xCAT you will set the "installdir" to point to the location where you >>>> will store your images. >>>> >>>> We have IBM E Blade Chassis with HS22 blade servers. >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> Amit >>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: dcheb...@gmu.edu [mailto:dcheb...@gmu.edu] >>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 3:44 PM >>>>> To: vcl-user@incubator.apache.org >>>>> Subject: Re: VCL and xCat >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Amit, >>>>> >>>>> I'm trying to get general idea about xCat/VCL : so, basically xCat >>>>> needs to be installed and configured on VCL Mgm node(s) before it can >>>>> be used with VCL, and I should be able to successfully provision xCat >>>>> nodes/clients with different images. Once xCat is working then I can >>>>> add bare-metal computers - blade with xCat 2.x engine. Does it sound >>>>> right? >>>>> >>>>> How do you tell VCL where to get image files for xCat nodes - is it >>>>> 'Install Path' setting under Management Nodes -> Edit management node >>>>> information? >>>>> >>>>> What kind of hardware do you have for xCat nodes? Are those IBM blade >>>>> servers or/and PCs? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thanks. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Feb 9, 2012, at 15:16 , Kumar, Amit H. wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi, >>>>>> >>>>>> We do not need an additional/dedicated server to do both xCAT and VCL >>>>> together, your management node can serve as your xCAT server. >>>>>> >>>>>> I would recommend getting xCAT to work by itself before using VCL to >>>>> manage your images and guest OS. >>>>>> >>>>>> This has worked well for us so far. >>>>>> >>>>>> :Amit >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>> From: dcheb...@gmu.edu [mailto:dcheb...@gmu.edu] >>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 3:03 PM >>>>>>> To: vcl-user@incubator.apache.org >>>>>>> Subject: VCL and xCat >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi All >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Anyone is using xCat with VCL? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I have generic question about xCat and VCL - where do I start? >>>>>>> Do I need working xCat environment before I can add it to VCL? >>>>>>> Does xCat need dedicated server? Or does it run on the VCL >>>>> management >>>>>>> node? >>>>>>> Are there any special hardware requirements for xCat "clients"? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thank you. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thank you. >>>>> >>>>> ----------------- >>>>> Dmitri Chebotarov >>>>> dcheb...@gmu.edu >>>>> 703-993-6175 >>>>> ----------------- >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Thank you. >>> >>> ----------------- >>> Dmitri Chebotarov >>> dcheb...@gmu.edu >>> 703-993-6175 >>> ----------------- >>> >>> >>> >>> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- >>> >>> iQEcBAEBAgAGBQJPNDStAAoJEMRKpymufl8aAxkH/iCGHjBRUMR85l4+D3clzzem >>> eb4+RtsjvqfnJO7IjjF3Ajs73labFWvoEgpJrbFous2v6ou/gNsUgB82hWicqNTm >>> 5+ZKkdncM2qWl2QI1ED6kvZt0OHmG/cUbRk0XRlPSjf99dIYgjqPZBL4xFNje62X >>> xzNNPCEC7S5lixouyUcFPh7KhVR+11zvZsliV19CYH6HqXLpSphRt/gN5HIK77gD >>> xNpfymdAPf2iJ1Dur5MNngnJIYTgdNgYq8pTvmrxPNEixumYsTU1UQzYFbijpctI >>> yL8gUhP2kX2Yd45mVGzZxmJXDrOkg0rLxmIxVrrmGH2/iLSHpSFE+8mY0kqbTmA= >>> =86fD >>> -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Aaron Peeler >> Program Manager >> Virtual Computing Lab >> NC State University >> >> All electronic mail messages in connection with State business which >> are sent to or received by this account are subject to the NC Public >> Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. > > > > > Thank you. > > ----------------- > Dmitri Chebotarov > dcheb...@gmu.edu > 703-993-6175 > ----------------- > > > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > > iQEcBAEBAgAGBQJPNTSLAAoJEMRKpymufl8aOnkH/iMV/c518E6+MJOXpzWPU7DP > XlIS93CQ5MaCyLixXa2jsGQOKgbEIvfo9iD+vq3z/+FUuMzWxfv/cFZyGaABpNU/ > 9A2dLiQo4KRsGdQu1OY/SkV0nzdEWqgOrD4KFESTmPWfqzzgTmH1G899tVbQQzTV > zix1hoa9zYZeyssKoygRQeiB3G54Oy0YtMpK7DfGFSSo81ZB5S840xwUoG550TD3 > hC2zC4oNEgVQ/XZvQJMR+O7tpOWx26tH+aLz+yMo8hlclKs1ujx8ZO9EJ0MFPhTL > Sb5Ip49j7qVOPTcKesb4Zz4la5yj3nV5XV5/ii/VysyYAIXJjdLY2soSRT9LInw= > =7XFt > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > -- Aaron Peeler Program Manager Virtual Computing Lab NC State University All electronic mail messages in connection with State business which are sent to or received by this account are subject to the NC Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
