Master Index  |  Installation

Hardware

Compatibility List

Before you install the FOSS-Cloud on a physical hardware, please check the compatibility list.

• Compatibility List

Minimal Requirements

Your server should fulfill the following minimal requirements on each node:

• Dedicated hardware
• 64-Bit Intel with VT-Technology
• 4 Gigabyte memory
• 320 Gigabyte disk space
• Network interface

Multi-Node Environment

To run a Multi-Node Environment, additional to the minimal requirements you need:

• Minimal one switch with VLAN functionality, recomended 2 stackable switches with VLAN functionality
• At least 2 network interfaces per node

Single-Server

To run a Single-Server, additional to the minimal requirements you need:

• Switch with VLAN functionality

Demo-System

To run a Demo-System, optional to the minimal requirements you need:

• DCHP-Server in the local network

Client-Software-Versions

FOSS-Cloud v1.3.0

Virt-Viewer from Version 2.0

FOSS-Cloud v1.2.20

Remote Viewer form Version 0.74

Virtual Machines

The most asked question is, "how much reccources are needed for virtual machines"? The answer is "it depends"!

There are different parameters influencing the amount of reccources of a virtual machine:

1. Operating System
2. Type of VM (persistent or dynamic)
3. Installed applications
4. Number of similar VMs runnuing on the same node
5. Uptime of a VM (relevant only for disk space on dynamic VM's)
6. User behavior (relevant only for disk space on dynamic VM's)

Memory

Desktop Virtualization

In productive environments Windows takes about 1.5 to 2 GB of memory while Linux is satisfied with 1 GB. If they are hudge applications installed, occupying a lot of memory you have to increase the numbers but in general the numbers above suffice.

There is a way to optimizing the memory use of virtual machines running in the FOSS-Cloud! The FOSS-Cloud uses KSM (Kernel Samepage Merging). That means, when for example two Windows 7 virtual machines are running in the FOSS-Cloud, the first machine is loadet into the memory and the second Windows 7 is only storing the difference what not yet is present from the first virtual machine. Therefore, if you have for example 40 virtual Windows 7 runnit on the same node, you need arround 600 to 700 MB per virtual Windows 7.

Calculation example one node:

• 3 GB for the FOSS-Cloud
• 50 Windows 7 à 600 MB = 30 GB
• Total memory needed 33 GB

If you are running a configuration as in the example described with 48 GB RAM you will have some reserve.

Be aware the calculation don't work if

• you are running different operating system for example 20 Windows 7 and 20 Windows XP or Windows and Linux etc.
• you have installed a lot of different applications on the operating system
• you are virtualizing servers

Important

The virtual machine occupied only the needed memory and not the maximum who is set in the FOSS-Cloud VM Administration.

Server Virtualization

When you are virtualizing servers, the savings are not in the same amount as in desktop virtualization because in the few cases you have similar servers with identical server-installation. Therefore calculate the maximum memory allocated to the servers in the FOSS-Cloud VM administration.

Calculation example one node:

• 3 GB for the FOSS-Cloud
• 20 Windows 7 à 800 MB = 16 GB (The savings are not the same at 20 Desktops as at 40!)
• 3 Server à 6 GB = 18 GB
• Total memory needed 34 GB

Memory needed arround 48 GB

Disk Space

Templates and persistent VM's

If a VM has assigned a disk with 40 GB disk space and you are checking the size on the file system of the FOSS-Cloud, you'll find a size lower than 40 GB because the vm allocate only the disk space needed.

Important

You can always enlarge the disk size in the FOSS-Cloud VM-Administration, but never reduce!

Dynamic VM's

Starting a dynamic VM will create a snapshot where all information will be stored, different to the Golden Image. Just started, the snapshot allocate arround 3 GB. During the uptime of the dynamic VM, e.g. Windows stores always data into the snapshot so that it becomes always greater. If the user is downloading a 5GB file and store it to his desktop, the file will enlarge the snapshot by 5 GB.

To calculate the storage needed for dynamic VM's, use your experiance with your users.