09/03/2015

Release of Xen Orchestra 3.7

Xen Orchestra is a web interface for Xen’s paravirtualization solution, an open source hypervisor. Orchestra can manage servers running XenServer, a distribution based on CentOS, using XAPI. After several months of development work, Orchestra has added an administration tool to its classic functionalities, opening up new options like resource delegation.

New features of version 3.7

Resource delegation

This is the functionality most eagerly awaited (and highly demanded) by the community. The first step toward a delegation function is the creation of two user types: administrators and users. The first group has full access and powers in relation to the system, while members of the second have resources assigned to them (virtual machines, storage space, etc.). This simplified functionality is illustrated in a video published by the vendor. For example, a team can be delegated the ability to access the console, reboot the servers, and create and reload backup points. The second step toward a successful delegation mechanism will involve the addition of a directory and role management functions for established user groups.

Live migration: virtual machines and drives

Xen Orchestra can handle the live migration of virtual machines without shared storage. XAPI, via the Xen Storage Motion process, can move virtual machines at length, regardless of any shared resources. It can copy a machine’s underlying drives and RAM, with no break in service. Xen Orchestra makes the process extremely fast by limiting its actions to the selection of the virtual machine’s target host and, as applicable, confirmation of the associated drive. Just as it can migrate virtual machines, Xen Orchestra can also migrate drives to a new target storage space by means of a simple drop-down menu. After selecting a compatible new storage space, the process will move the drive, again with no interruption of service. This video illustrates the simplicity of the process.

Addition of new storage space

This is another new functionality that the community expects of Xen Orchestra. It is now easy to add new Xen storage spaces from Orchestra’s web interface. If the space has a history of use with XenServer, it will not need to be formatted (cf. video).

Virtual HTTPS consoles

The development team focused on virtual consoles’ limitations in XenServer. As a result, a proxy system has been implemented. It is more secure and provides greater flexibility in terms of the use of network address translations and firewalls.

Activity views

The Orchestra interface indexes all of the infrastructure’s task activity in real time. From migration activities and copies of drives to data imports, a display of task progress levels provides great reassurance to users of Xen servers. These activities can be accessed at any time, from any view, as well as from Orchestra’s navigation bar. Lastly, Xen Orchestra now comes standard with a few more minor new features, such as the possibility of freezing a virtual machine, changes to the user interface for a more pleasant experience, and more information available on Xen servers.

 

Source: xen-orchestra.com

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