Using templates and Oracle VCA

1. REMINDER
Check in on the COLLABORATE
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Best practices for building and
using templates for Oracle’s VCA
Prepared by:
Mike Gangler
Secure-24
Using templates for rapid deployment
on Oracle’s VCA
Session ID#: 582
@mjgangler

2. Safe Harbor Statement
■ Our discussion today may include information about our
business and experience that may be considered forward
looking or highlight examples of our relationships to other
organizations. Our current judgment about future plans or
results reflects our current opinions about the topics
presented and are subject to change as risks and
opportunities are met.
■ We thank you in advance for understanding that all financial
and customer information is presented for the purpose of this
discussion only and may not be used for any other purposes.

3. About Michael J. Gangler
Oracle
Technology
since
1987
Started
with
Oracle
Version
5.1c
Senior
Database
Specialist
–
Secure-­‐24,
LLC
Database
experience
with
FOCUS,
IMS
DB/DC,
DB2,
Sybase,
and
MSSQL,
and
MySQL
databases
as
well
as
Oracle
experience.
mjgangler
Mgangler
mjgangler@gmail.com

4. Secure-24 Company Profile
Secure-­‐24 is a leading provider of managed hos7ng, enterprise cloud compu7ng and IT outsourcing. As an Oracle
Pla7num Partner, Secure-­‐24 delivers full technical support of Oracle EPM applica7ons with proven methodology
and demonstrated successes in infrastructure, management, upgrades, migra7ons and support engagements.
FOUNDED
HEADQUARTERS
OPERATION
CENTERS
DATA CENTERS
Secure-­‐24
was
founded
in
2001
and
since
then
has
grown
to
450
employees
and
has
received
recogniTon
as
one
of
Computerworld’s
Best
Places
to
Work
in
IT
Secure-­‐24
is
headquartered
in
Southfield,
MI
Serving
customers
around
the
globe,
Secure-­‐24
has
2
OperaTon
Centers
in
Michigan,
1
in
Nevada
and
1
in
Hyderabad
India.
Secure-­‐24
has
3
data
centers
in
Michigan,
1
in
Nevada,
plus
several
global
partnerships.
We
only
choose
the
safest
locaTons
for
our
data
centers.

5. Upcoming User Group Events
■ Western Michigan Oracle User Group – May 6, 2015 – Grand
Rapids, Mi.
▪ http://www.wmoug.org/wmoug/
■ Great Lakes Oracle Conference – May 19, 20, 2015 –
Cleveland, Ohio
▪ https://www.neooug.org/gloc/
■ ODTUG – KSCOPE – June 21 – June 25 – Hollywood, FLA
▪ http://kscope15.com/
■ Michigan Oracle User Summit – November 18 – Livonia, MI.
▪ http://mous.us

6. AGENDA
① Oracle’s Virtual Compute Appliance Overview
② Oracle VM Features and Architecture
③ Building Templates and Best Practices
④ Summary
⑤ Demo (If Time)

7. Copyright
©
2014,
Oracle
and/or
its
affiliates.
All
rights
reserved.
|
Oracle’s Virtual Compute Appliance
Overview
Oracle VM Portfolio

8. Overview
• The
Oracle’s
Virtual
Compute
Appliance
is
an
engineered
system
for
quickly
deploying
Oracle
VM
environments
• It
is
a
converged
infrastructure
system
containing
compute,
storage,
and
network
resources,
all
automaTcally
discovered
and
configured
• The
Virtual
Compute
Appliance
is
designed
for
robustness,
resiliency,
and
for
applicability
to
a
wide
range
of
VM
applicaTons
• The
combinaTon
of
infrastructure
and
management
enables
faster
VM
deployment,
faster
Tme-­‐to-­‐value,
lower
management
cost
and
higher
ROI
8

9. Oracle Engineered Systems Unlock Business Potential
Converged Infrastructure Systems Unlock Time and Resources
Tradi&onal
Infrastructure
Converged
Infrastructure
§ Lengthy integration
§ Hundreds of connections
§ Exponential complexity
§ Factory integrated
§ Simple connections
§ Designed for reliability
and ease of management

10. Copyright
©
2014,
Oracle
and/or
its
affiliates.
All
rights
reserved.
|
Oracle VM Features and Architecture
Oracle VM Portfolio

11. SuperCluster
Oracle’s Engineered Systems Portfolio
Leadership in the converged infrastructure market
Database
Appliance
Exaly&cs
Big
Data
Appliance
Exalogic
Exadata
Oracle’s
Virtual
Compute
Appliance
NEW!

12. Oracle VM
Server Virtualization and Management
Oracle VM Manager & Enterprise Manager
▪ Manage hundreds- or thousands of servers
▪ Central Java management server
— Web browser-based management console
▪ Advanced virtualization management including Dynamic
Resource Scheduling (DRS), HA, Dynamic Power
Management…
Oracle VM Server for x86
▪ Installs on “bare-metal” servers in about a minute
▪ Guest operating systems:
— Solaris on x86, Linux, & Windows
— Support for paravirtualized- and hardware-virtualized kernels & drivers

13. Oracle VM 3 Deployment Architecture
Oracle
VM
Manager
• Browser
UI
• Manage
mulTple
server
pools
• Create,
configure,
clone,
share,
boot,
migrate
VMs
• Convert
other
virtual
machine
formats
Storage
Repository
Networks
Separate…
• Guest
• HA
• Live Migration
• Storage
• Management
Shared Storage Repositories
• NFS, Fibre Channel, iSCSI
• Support heterogeneous configurations
• Share storage between multiple pools and clusters.
• Ability to share raw device between VMs
Oracle
Storage
Partner
Storage
Virtual Machines
• Oracle Solaris
• Oracle Linux
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Centos
• SuSE SLES
• Microsoft Windows
Oracle VM Servers
• x86
• SPARC *
Server
Pool
2
Server
pools
• HA
groups
• Resource
groups
• Live
MigraTon
groups
Server
Pool
2
Server
Pool
1

14. Get Infrastructure Faster,
Get Applications Faster
■ Only Oracle can speed both
infrastructure and application
deployment
■ Virtual Compute Appliance:
Power-on to fully configured
applications in 1-2 hours
■ Other converged
infrastructure: Days or weeks
Full
Enterprise
ApplicaTon
Stack
Hardware
• Servers
• Storage
• Network
VMs
1
hour
with
VCA
Minutes
-­‐
2
hours

15. The Virtual Compute Appliance
■ Pre-built, ready to use with minimal setup
■ Automatic Discovery and installation of components
■ Removes the integration risk of deployment
■ Integrated apps provisioning with pre-built templates
■ Fully virtualized system with built in software defined
networking for ultimate flexibility
From Power on to production in about an
hour

16. Oracle Sun X4-2 Servers
Oracle ZFS Z3-ES Storage Appliance
• Redundant controllers, RAID storage
• Oracle Fabric Interconnect F1-15
• Oracle Switch ES1-24
• Oracle Sun Data Center Infiniband Switch 36
• Oracle Sun Data Center Infiniband Switch 36
• Oracle Fabric Interconnect F1-15
Oracle’s Virtual Compute Appliance X4-2
Hardware Specifications Overview
Fabric
Interconnect
Fabric
Interconnect
Compute
Nodes
Compute
Nodes
Mgmt Nodes
Management
Storage
InfiniBand Expansion
Ethernet Switch
Oracle
Sun
X4-­‐2
Servers
•
2
to
25
nodes
•
CPU:
Up
to
400
cores
/
800
threads
aggregate
•
Memory:
Up
to
6.4TB
aggregate
•
Only
3
cables
per
server,
fully
redundant
Oracle
Sun
X4-­‐2
Servers
NetworkingManagement
Four
4x10GbE
40Gb/s
Server-­‐to-­‐Server
Network
Storage
InfiniBand Expansion

17. Oracle’s Virtual Compute Appliance X4-2
Software Overview
Server
Virtualization
and
Guest OSes
Server
Virtualization
Oracle
VM
Server
Virtualiza&on
• All
major
x86
operaTng
systems
• Oracle
Linux
• Oracle
Solaris
• Microsoh
Windows
Virtual
Compute
Appliance
controller
•
Oracle
VM
Manager
•
Oracle
SDN
Networking
Automation &
Management•
Oracle
Fabric
Manager
*
Refer
to
documenta/on
for
addi/onal
Guest
OS
support
informa/on
Guest
OS*

18. Oracle’s Virtual Compute Appliance
• Enables operation of the system as one unit, not individual servers
• Add compute by automatically discovering, installing, and adding servers
• Web-based central front end mgmt console
• End-to-end automation and orchestration
• Software Defined Networking (SDN) automates set-up (leveraging Oracle
Fabric Interconnect)
• Handles installation, upgrade, and HA behind the scenes
• Dynamic resource management
• Unique full stack: rapid application deployment with Oracle VM Assemblies
• Fits easily into existing data centers
• Run any x86-based OS and application without modifications
• Use Oracle or 3rd party storage
Easy.
1

19. Initial User Experience: Hardware Provisioning
Ø Ready to create VMs and deploy assemblies in about an hour
• Power on the rack(s)
• Appliance auto-configures and auto-provisions [~45 minutes – more if full rack]
- Discovers and provisions compute nodes
- Configures internal storage, NFS shares, iSCSI LUNs
- Creates server pool, and Oracle VM storage repository
• Log in to configure management IP/Hostname [~5 minutes]
Ø Simple expansion
• Physically install new compute node and turn it on
• Appliance auto-provisions new node, making it ready to use
Fast.

20. Virtual Compute Appliance Components
Storage
§ Internal,
included
storage
as
“system
disk”
§ OperaTonal
storage
required
for
storing
management
sohware
§ “System
disk”:
1
x
Oracle
ZFS
Z3-­‐ES
Storage
Appliance
§ HA
controllers
2
x
1U
controller
/
heads
§ 2U
disk
tray
(24
spindles)
§ About
6TB
of
user-­‐space
available
§ External
storage:
§ New
or
exisTng
Oracle
or
third-­‐party
storage
§ NFS
or
iSCSI
direct
from
the
guest
VMs

21. Use with Existing or New External Storage
NFS or iSCSI from the Guest VMs
External
connecTvity
• 16
(up
to
52*)
10Ge
ports
• FC*
ports
included
Oracle’s
Virtual
Compute
Appliance
*Planned
for
future
support

22. Oracle ZFS Storage Appliance
■ High-throughput for 1000s of VMs
■ Optimized for IOPS, throughput, and file sharing workloads
■ High-availability with up to 2.6PBytes capacity
■ Powerful DTrace storage analytics
▪ Visual and interactive
▪ Manage workloads down to the VM level
■ Co-engineered with Oracle Virtual Compute Appliance,
Oracle Database, and Oracle Apps
▪ Reduced risk
▪ Reduced complexity
▪ Lower TCO
■ The performance of Flash with the cost of Disk
Storage Expansion for Oracle Virtual Compute Appliance Environments
DTrace
Storage
Analy&cs
ZFS
Storage
Appliance

23. ■ When was the first IOUG-Alive ?
■ What Version of Oracle Did I start
with on IBM VM machine ?
Quick Jeopardy Break

24. Building Templates and Best
Practices
Template hints / experience from the Trenches

25. ■ Determine OVM Templates / Oracle
Template Architecture and flow
■ Building Oracle Software Stack
■ Oracle Database Template Building
Template Building Best Practices

26. Template Usage Starting Points
■ There is still a need for guidance
▪ A subset of general Oracle VM best practices
▪ More things to NOT do, rather than new things to do
■ “Keep it simple” and “it’s already done for you” are organizing principles
▪ VCA discovers and names servers, creates and names pools and networks
▪ Don’t undo these manually: keep the names and objects created for you
■ Network and storage separation are already done
▪ Different networks so no need for VLANs to separate VM traffic from mgmt
▪ Private and public VM networks can be done with or without VLANs

27. Template Types
■ Implementation of 2 Types of Templates –
▪ OVM templates
— JDE Templates - Smaller/typical Databases
— Machine / Storage creation (Only) – For Larger JDE Environments
and non-JDE Environments
▪ Database templates
— DBCA – using Template Clones – Larger JDE environments and non-
JDE Environments

29. Best Practices with Virtual Compute Appliance and Oracle VM
■ Best Practices is not just about physical infrastructure
■ Best Practice with the Virtual Compute Appliance (and Oracle VM in general)
is to make use of pre-built virtual machine templates
■ Or: simple case, cloning “golden” VMs
■ Create a standardized, repeatable model for deployment with self-contained
appliance virtual machines
▪ Eliminate effort, reduce configuration errors
■ Oracle VM and the Virtual Compute Appliance support this with templates,
assemblies and fast VM clones

30. Rapid Infrastructure AND Application
Deployment
• Create VMs manually from ISO images or (better) from
ready-to-run Oracle VM Templates/Assemblies
• Simple example: Oracle Linux or Solaris VM [~1 minute]
• Complex example: Oracle RAC cluster with 16 nodes [~45
minutes]
DB
WebLogic
Server
Deployment
Policies
Configura&on
Metadata
SOA_PROD_1
Oracle
VM
Assembly
Produc&on
Environment:
SOA_PROD_1
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
Server
Pool
1
Deployed:
Produc&on
Environment
SOA_PROD_1
VCA
Deplo
y
Management
nodes
Pre-­‐installed,
pre-­‐configured,
ready
to
run
VMs
containing
applicaTons
Download

31. Application Templates & Assemblies
DB
WebLogic
Server
Deployment
Policies
ConfiguraTon
Metadata
SOA_PROD_1
Oracle
VM
Assembly
ProducTon
Environment:
SOA_PROD_1
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
Deploy
Deploy
applicaTon
into
Oracle
VM
Manager
as
‘Golden
Image’
• Clone,
iniTalize,
and
start-­‐up
instance
• Up
and
running
in
hours
vs.
days
or
weeks
with
liole
risk
Oracle
VM
Servers
Storage
Repository
Server
Pool
2
Deployed:
ProducTon
Environment
SOA_PROD_1
Guest
AddiTons
• Allows
direct
integraTon
between
guest
sohware
and
virtualizaTon
layer
• Assists
in
orchestraTon
of
complex,
mulT-­‐VM
deployments
OVF-­‐based
3

32. ■ Oracle recommends that you use the Software
Stack in the existing Templates
▪ Issues:
— Most of it is RAC Based
— No Standard Template
■ Use your standard OS/Load/ Template (i.e. OL6,
RHEL6, etc.)
■ Install Oracle software using runInstaller.
■ Package this Oracle Software Stack in a RPM or
Tar file for each software version/stack
▪ Yes this may require multiple RPM’s or Tar
Files…….
Oracle Template Architecture / Flow

33. ■ Using Standard Oracle 12c VM Template
Requires deploycluster with options for new
database
▪ NOTE – From the Oracle Appliance
■ Disable RAC Portion of The Oracle Kernel
(Oracle 12c VM Template)
▪ Cd $ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/lib
▪ Make –f ins_rdbms_mk rac off – Disable RAC
▪ Make –f ins_Rdbms_mk ioracle – Linking Oracle
Binaries
■ Need separate Oracle install for Standard Edition.
▪ No Available VM templates for Standard Edition
Software Stack Lessons Learned

34. ■ Create a Standard Database (General Purpose Template)
▪ Modify with desired memory / Init.ora Parms
▪ Modify File Locations, sizes
▪ Any other items for skeleton type DB
▪ Add variable by using {Var}
■ Create Template from existing database
▪ Dbca –silent –createTemplateFromDB –sourceDB C15LV
sysDBAUserName sys – SysDBAPassword Change_on_install –
templateName c15lv_template
■ Create Clone Template (This will contain the actual DB)
▪ Dbca –silent –createcloneTemplate –sourceDB C15LV –
sysDBAUserName sys – sysDBAPassword Change_on_install –
templatename C15LV_clone
▪ Creates a .ctl, .dbc and .dbf files
Oracle Template Lessons Learned

35. Summary

36. ■ Deployment pieces:
▪ OVM Template for OLE6
▪ Oracle Software RPM or Tar Files
▪ Linux packaging for Mount points (Virtual) - OVM
▪ Script to run dbca with templates
■ Inputs required
▪ Oracle Version
▪ Standard or Enterprise License
▪ Database name
■ Deployed through the following
▪ DBAAS – Grid Control (Option #1)
▪ “Service-Now” Software (Option #2)
▪ Other provisioning tools (Option #3)
36
Deployment Summary

37. 37
Setting yourself up for Success
Partner with your Infrastructure and Operation
Teams:
■ Security Policies
■ Long Term Backups (i.e., 7 year offsite backups)
■ OS Patching (i.e., ShellShock)
■ File System Layouts
■ Life Cycle Automation

38. Setting yourself up for Success
Design your templates to take advantage of ZFS
Clones and Snapshots:
■ Rapid database software patching
■ Refresh database environments in minutes
Managing and Monitoring:
■ Include OEM Agent client side rpm to auto register
■ Configuration Management (i.e., Change
Authentication)
■ Trust and Verify (i.e., SLA requirements,
Performance Benchmarks)

39. ■ Decide if you want to use 1 template for
database and OS or Separate Duties
■ Make it easy to use and Deploy
■ Using Templates allows you to standardize
databases and have a repeatable process.
■ Can be deployed by EM12C or 3rd Party
applications (i.e. Service Now)
■ Keep it Simple !!!
■ Consider OVCA for your future VM Needs
Summary

40. ■ www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/vm/documentation/
dbracovm-deploycluster-tool-197303.pdf
■ Docs.oracle.com/cd/E17559_01/em.111/e16599/
appdx_creating_db_templates.htm
■ www.oracle.com/technetwork/systems/hands-on-labs/deploy-rac-
ovm-cluster-2101019.html
■ Docs.oracle.com/cdB28359_01/server.111/b28310/create002.html
■ www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/vm/027000.pdf
■ Blogs from Wim Coekaerts:
■ https://blogs.oracle.com/wim/entry/
oracle_vm_template_config_script
Template References

41. • Virtual Compute Appliance public home page:
http://oracle.com/vca
• Virtual Compute Appliance public documentation page:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/engineered-
systems/virtual-compute-docs-2082161.html
• Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt9sftetV_s
■ www.ioug.org - Content and other template presentations
■ Alvaro Alvaro Miranda Aguilera - kikitux@gmail.com - Slides /
Template
Template References

42. Demo

43. Questions?
Mike
Gangler
Michael.gangler@secure-­‐24.com
(248)
784-­‐1021
x306
mjgangler
mjgangler@gmail.com
hops://mjgangler.wordpress.com/

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Paper # 582
Best Practices using templates with Oracle’s VCA
Mike Gangler
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