Virtualization in Development Environments

Facilitated by Peter Campbell, EarthJustice and TechCafeteria

It won't be long before people can stop buying machines with dedicated operating systems, and instead use tools like Hypervisor to manage an array of OS options in parallel. Peter will offer an overview of options available for developers working in virtualized environments, including his own favorite setup running Linux and Windows on Macintosh hardware. He'll reflect on where virtualization is heading and how that changes the programming mindset, and then invite the group to brainstorm applications that might be developed in this new paradigm.

Virtualization – setting up multiple environments – web testing

Downside: potential performance problems, security issues

VM – configuration management tool

CMS – Knowledge Tree – Linux install, run virtually

Accessibility – VM software install

Need lots of RAM and disk storage and bandwidth – need sufficient hardware

Newest processes support VM

RAM is more important than CPU – one half to one gig minimum required

Base Install with checkpoints.

VM is a file – you can copy it or give it to someone else.

Not an executable, but often behaves like an application.

Has configuration options and you can download to virtual server vs. to your computer.

Golden Imaging – you can use the VM for backup.

You can use VM for cloud computing.

Slice host.

Multiple VMs and saving locally can be a problem.

VMware/Citrix – management tools for VM.

VM started with open source (Zen).

Citrix bought Zen.

How does forensics work with VM?

Questions about Word docs vs. open docs? Image converters?

Discussion about backup policy and VM.

VMware fusion – save files to My Documents folder.

VMs sometimes need to retain data. IT strategy – drive savers, do drive savers work for VMs? Are there disc fix utilities for VM?

VM – Dynamic, cut down number of servers.

How do you get started? Purpose? For web development testing. Easy to install and set up.

Virtual Box – good for Ubuntu.

Zen, steep learning curve.

VMfusion vs. Parallels.

VMfusion recommended.

VM – double caching can be a problem.

Developing in one OS and deploying in another.

Take Aways Virtualization offers a lot of flexibility.

Ease of scalability.

Great for web developer testing. Green.