white paper Installation Guide for Citrix XenServer 5.5 Title: Installation Guide for Citrix XenServer 5.5 Author(s): Xtravirt (Paul Buckle) Target Audience: Technical - Novice Current Revision: 1.0 (Jul 2009) First Published: Jul 2009 Product(s): Citrix XenServer 5.5 UID: XD10116 Content Overview: Installation of XenServer 5.5 Installation of XenCenter 5.5 Registration and Licensing See http://xtravirt.com/xd10025 for the XenServer 5 install guide. This guide covers XenServer 5.5. 1.0 Introduction A XenServer installation requires a minimum of two separate, physical computers; one to be the XenServer host and one to run the XenCenter management application. XenServer is a 64-bit, x86 server-class platform devoted to hosting multiple Virtual Machines (VM); XenCenter is a Windows client application that manages XenServer hosts. While the XenServer machine must be dedicated to the task of hosting VMs, XenCenter can run on any general-purpose machine, alongside other applications. 2.0 Pre-Requisites Configuration information: Citrix XenServer installation media (Base Pack and Linux Pack) Citrix XenCenter installation file A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) for the XenServer host TCP/IP configuration information for the XenServer management interface DNS server IP address/es for the XenServer host (optional) NTP server IP address/es for the XenServer host (optional) This Xtravirt guide details the process of performing a basic installation of Citrix XenServer 5.5 and XenCenter 5.5, plus the registration and licensing of the XenServer host. Virtualization Stack Guest OS Guest OS Guest OS Guest OS Xen Tool Stack Device Drivers Xen TM Hypercall API Xen Hypervisor Hardware Illustration 1-1: XenServer architecture information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 1
Online resources for the virtualization industry We simplify complex concepts and make them valuable, practical assets. Free white papers, articles, how-to-guides, e-books, presentation tools and much more. XenServer system requirements: Processor One or more 64-bit x86 CPUs, 1.5 GHz minimum, 2 GHz or faster, multicore CPU recommended (maximum of 32 CPU cores). Windows VMs can be created only on XenServer hosts equipped with Intel VT-enabled or AMD-V CPUs and this feature must be enabled in the BIOS. It is possible your BIOS might have virtualisation support disabled. Consult your BIOS documentation for more details. To support VMs running supported paravirtualised Linux, a standard 64-bit x86-based system with one or more CPUs is required. Linux VMs do not require XenServer hosts that are equipped with Intel VTenabled or AMD-V CPUs. 3.0 Installation Process 3.1 XenServer This procedure assumes that installation is from a local CD and that Citrix XenServer has not been installed on the machine previously. On the machine that will be the XenServer host, boot from the XenServer CD. 1. At the Welcome to XenServer screen, press Enter. Memory Disk Network 1 GB minimum, 2 GB or more recommended. Locally attached storage (PATA, SATA, SCSI) with 16 GB of disk space minimum, 60 GB of disk space recommended. 100 Mbit/s or faster network interface card (NIC). A gigabit NIC is recommended for faster P2V and export/import data transfers and for live relocation of VMs. XenCenter system requirements: Operating System Processor Memory Disk Network Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista SP1 or SP2 with.net framework 2.0 or above 750 MHz minimum, 1 GHz or faster recommended 1 GB minimum, 2 GB or more recommended 100 MB minimum 100 MB or faster NIC 2. The installer will initialise and detect the host hardware. information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 2
3. At the Select Keymap screen, select the required keymap and click Ok. In this example, uk will be used. 6. At the End User License Agreement screen, review the Citrix License Agreement and click Accept EULA. 4. At the Welcome to XenServer screen, select Install or upgrade XenServer Host and click Ok. 7. If the machine has more than one suitable disk, the Select Primary Disk screen appears. In this example, the local disk will be used. Select /dev/ cciss/c0d0 and click Ok. 5. At the Welcome to XenServer Setup screen, click Ok. Note: The name of the local disk ID will vary between different machine vendors. 8. If the machine has more than one suitable disk, the Guest Storage screen appears. In this example, only the local disk will be used. Note: The remote SAN disks would typically be used for VM storage and that their use can also be configured after installation. Select /dev/cciss/c0d0 and click Ok. Note: The name of the local disk ID will vary between different machine vendors. information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 3
9. At the Select Installation Source screen, select Local media and click Ok. 12. At the Set Password screen, enter the required root password twice and click Ok. 10. At the Linux Pack screen, if the XenServer will host Linux VMs, click Yes. 13. If more than one NIC is available, the Networking screen appears. Select which NIC to use for the management interface. Typically this is the first NIC, eth0, but any of them can be used. In this example, select eth0 and click Ok. Note: The Linux Pack can be also be added after installation. 11. At the Verify Installation Source screen, if the CD has not previously been used to install XenServer, it is prudent to verify the installation source. In this example, select Skip verification and click Ok. 14. At the Networking screen, select Static configuration, enter the required details in the IP Address, Subnet mask and Gateway fields and click Ok. Note: While the management interface can be configured to use DHCP, it is recommend to use a static configuration. information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 4
15. At the Hostname and DNS Configuration screen, enter the required fully qualified hostname in the Hostname field, replacing the auto-generated one. Enter the required DNS TCP/IP address/es in the DNS Server field/s and click Ok. 18. At the System Time screen, if use of NTP is required, select Using NTP, click Ok and enter the relevant information on the subsequent screen. In this example, select Manual time entry and click Ok. 16. At the Select Time Zone screen, select the appropriate time zone geographical area and click Ok. In this example, Europe has been selected. Note: XenServer assumes the machine s BIOS time setting is the current time in UTC. 19. At the Confirm Installation screen, all the requirement installation parameters have been collected. Click Install XenServer. 17. At the Select Time Zone screen, select the appropriate time zone city and click Ok. In this example, London has been selected. 20. Some final preparation for the installation will be performed. information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 5
21. The installation from the CD will proceed. 24. The installation from the CD will proceed. 22. If the Linux Pack was elected to be installed, the New Media screen appears. Install the relevant CD, let it settle and click Ok. 25. As the installation nears completion, the Set Local Time screen appears. Enter the current date and time and click Ok. Note: If NTP is being used, this prompt will not appear. 23. The installer will examine the CD and confirm the correct one, Linux Pack, has been provided. If the CD has not been used to install XenServer before it would be prudent to verify the installation source. In this example, click Use media. 26. At the Installation Complete screen, remove the CD and click Ok. information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 6
27. The installer will initiate a system reboot. 3.2 Install XenCenter This procedure assumes that installation is from a local CD and that Citrix XenCenter has not been installed on the machine previously. 1. On the machine that will run XenCenter, run FREE_XenServer-5.5.0-XenCenter.msi. 2. At the Welcome to the XenCenter Setup Wizard screen, click Next. 28. The XenServer boot progress is reflected in a progress bar on the loader screen. 3. At the Custom Setup screen, click Next. 29. When the Configuration screen appears, XenServer has finished loading. 4. At the Destination Folder screen, accept the default installation path, select All Users and click Next. information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 7
5. At the Ready to install XenCenter screen, click Next. in the Hostname field, the account root in the User name field and the root password in the Password field and click Connect. 3. XenCenter will attempt to connect to the XenServer host. 6. At the Completed the XenCenter Setup Wizard screen, click Finish. 4. At the License Manager screen that will appear after a successful connection, check the XenServer host and click Activate. 3.3 Register and License XenServer While XenServer is free, it still requires the application of a license. Before this can be done, register XenServer with XenCenter as described below. 1. Start XenCenter, right click the XenCenter object in the left hand pane and select Add. 5. The Citrix XenServer Activation request form will load into your default browser. Complete the fields as required and click Request Activation. 2. At the Add New Server screen, enter the hostname or IP address of the XenServer host information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 8
6. Notification that the license file has been e-mailed to you will be displayed. The browser window can now be closed, but leave XenCenter running. 7. On receipt of the e-mail, double click the license. xslic attachment and elect to open it. At the Install License Key screen, select the XenServer host and click Install. 4.0 Resolution/Common Errors 1. XenServer installer repeatedly reboots The XenServer installer does not progress beyond the initialise installer and detect hardware stage without repeatedly rebooting. Solution: This is likely to be because the machine does not have at least 784MB of memory installed. 2. Hardware virtualization assist support is not available The following screen appears after the Accept End User License Agreement screen. 8. Select Tools -> License Manager. At the License Manager screen, confirm the XenServer host is now licensed for 12 months and click Close. Note: At the end of the 12 month period, you will be prompted to re-activate the license. 9. Click Help -> Check for Updates. The XenServer Updates page will load into your default browser and advise if any XenServer or XenCenter updates are available. Solution: This is because either the machine is not equipped with Intel VT-enabled or AMD-V CPUs or because the feature is turned off in the BIOS. If the CPUs do not support this feature then the XenServer installation can continue but it will not be able to host Windows VMs. If the CPUs do support this feature and it is to be used to host Windows VMs then enable virtualization assist in the machine BIOS and restart the installation process. This concludes the white paper. information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 9
About Xtravirt Xtravirt is a knowledge-based company that delivers its expertise in virtualization online and in person. We have developed a reputation for astute leadership and expertise through our work with an impressive array of organisations. It is this real-world experience that drives our ability to provide independent, current and free advice online. We work with organisations whose IT staff are frustrated with how hard it is to find detailed information and skills around virtualisation. We help our clients deliver the true benefits of virtualization, resulting in cost and time savings. For more information contact: Dorset House, Regent Park 297 Kingston Road, Leatherhead Surrey KT22 7PL t +44 (0) 1372 824 296 f +44 (0) 1372 824 576 e information@xtravirt.com w www.xtravirt.com Copyright 2009 Xtravirt Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Xtravirt Ltd shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Xtravirt and the Xtravirt logo are registered trademarks of Xtravirt Ltd. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. This document remains the property of Xtravirt Ltd. Contents may not be copied, reproduced or modified without written consent from Xtravirt Ltd. References 1. Citrix XenServer 5 install guide, http://xtravirt.com/xd10025 Tags Citrix, XenServer, XenCenter, install guide, deploy, how-to Useful Links 1. XenServer Documentation, http://www.citrix.com/lang/ English/lp/lp_1688622.asp 2. XenServer Downloads, http://www.citrix.com/lang/english/lp/ lp_1688615.asp information@xtravirt.com www.xtravirt.com 2009 10