Mrohs, Ray wrote:
I think it would be a good idea to "commoditize" VM as much as possible with a
useful GUI tool. As one of the more successful aspects of Windows, it makes
sense
to emulate an interface that's familiar and comfortable. Ideally it might comb
through the VM Help structure and build panels with all the available commands
and options. Context-sensitive help and search would be very useful.
The scope of my query was limited to Linux. I guess you would ask "why
Linux"? It is because newbies like me are being asked to move Linux to
z/VM. We do not have any other workload on z/VM unlike more mature
sites running many other traditional mission-critical systems built over
many years.
DIRMAINT is good, DATAMOVE is ok but would it not be nice to administer
everything through a web panel, somewhat like webmin? Presently we have
only a few production Linux images but potentially we could bring in
many criitical systems into z/VM environment. As you mentioned, this can
only enhance the reputation of the z/VM platform.
It must easily integrate 3rd party software since most day-to-day activities
involve resource/security management, backup monitoring, etc. There would also
be
a scrolling window showing the command lines being presented to the system so
new
admins can ultimately become familiar with line mode. A real challenge would be
full-screen VM text interfaces; I've never seen a screen scrape that didn't look
clunky or require a lot of tweaking to work right.
Ray Mrohs
Energy Information Administration
U.S. Department of Energy
-----Original Message-----
From: Barton Robinson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 11:29 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Web-based administration for z/VM
I agree with Richard there are lots of tools. But also, i've
never seen a site that didn't add their own tools because the
systems person had a "better/easier" way of doing something.
So is there any VM systems person with say 20 years of experience
that doesn't add their own interface or tools?
I work with a LOT of installations now where the VM/Linux
programmer is not experienced, does not have time for much
education if any, who's management thinks vm should be easy,
and who's primary method of interacting with computers is
via a browser. IBM does the initial installation,
but then they have to walk all on their own.
Many of the experienced VM people retire each year. If you
really want the VM platform to survive, an acceptable
interface is required to allow new people to function,
and that is not with line mode 3270. So the question of what
is needed is not addressed to the old timers ready to
retire, it is to the old timers helping the platform to
grow when there is a lack of skills, and lack of time
to acquire skills, and a strong interest in using browsers.
(I think VMWare and other vm competitors provide current
interfaces that are intuitive to new users..)
I'm still not sure how much of VE is Marketecture, but if
it just adds complexity and another set of tools, doesn't
sound like much value. So, how do you provide the NEW VM
system's person with the education and tools in a way
that is intuitive to them with low frustration?
Which is how Mr. Nathan started this thread?
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2006 23:26:33 -0800
From: Richard Schuh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Ranga Nathan wrote:
That product seems to do much more than what we need. I am a little
concerned about unwanted complexity.
Alan Altmark wrote:
On Friday, 01/06/2006 at 11:46 EST, David Boyes
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
We find the IBM Virtualization Engine (VE), which contains IBM
Director,
to be very usable for Linux virtual machine management when used
with
the
z/VM Center extensions.
*As far as it goes*, I'd agree. The problem is that it's still
pretty
limited
in function, and the documentation is very explicit about it not
supporting
anything other than Linux guests. CMS isn't gone yet...
We'll see how it develops.
As soon as we start hearing from customers that configuring/cloning
CMS guests is a problem that needs to be solved, I promise we'll go
back and take another look.
We already have tools for configuring/cloning CMS guests. They are
called Dirmaint and VM:Secure. Don't take that other look unless you
really are starved for something to keep you busy.
"If you can't measure it, I'm Just NOT interested!"(tm)
/************************************************************/
Barton Robinson - CBW Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Velocity Software, Inc Mailing Address:
196-D Castro Street P.O. Box 390640
Mountain View, CA 94041 Mountain View, CA 94039-0640
VM Performance Hotline: 650-964-8867
Fax: 650-964-9012 Web Page: WWW.VELOCITY-SOFTWARE.COM
/************************************************************/
--
__________________
Ranga Nathan
Work: 714-442-7591
