Technical overview in relation to the IBM SmartCloud offering (Private Cloud - IaaS) for IBM i customers: the reference architecture leverages IBM PowerVM virtualisation and IBM VMControl virtualisation and automation management capabilities. Self service portal, VM provisioning, metering and billing are provided by IBM SmartCloud Entry.

1. Private Cloud for IBM i
IBM
Luca Comparini
IBM STG Lab Services EMEA

2. Objective of this session
At the end of this session you should have a clear understanding of:
–
–
–
–
What is the meaning of Cloud Computing and IaaS
VMControl terminology
– Virtual server
– Virtual appliance
– Image repository
– Capture and Deploy
– Server Systems Pool
SmartCloud Entry support
PowerVC support (SoD)

3. External links, video & social media
ThoughtsonCloud.com
IBM SmartCloud Entry: deploy two working environments in minutes
http://thoughtsoncloud.com/index.php/2013/03/ibm-smartcloud-entry-deploy-two-working-environments-in-minutes/
VIDEO
IBM SmartCloud Entry: deploying an IBM i 7.1 and an AIX 7.1 in less than 7 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwGmOIRtcss
Howto: using FSM VMControl to deploy an IBM i 7.1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQApzKuFjaw
@lucacomparini
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lucacomparini

4. What is Cloud Computing
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources,
software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility (like the electricity grid) over a
network (typically the Internet). (…)
Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption, and delivery model for IT services based on Internet
protocols, and it typically involves provisioning of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources.
Key words: computing as a service, shared, scalable, virtualized
From Cloud Computing Wiki: http://sites.google.com/site/cloudcomputingwiki/
Cloud Computing is an execution of compute jobs in multi-tenant elastic environment, where jobs may dynamically
scale up or down requesting/releasing resources on a fly. Owner of the process is billed only for used capacity.
Key words: dynamically, requesting/releasing, billed for used capacity
(automated)
(self service portal)
(metering & billing)

5. Computing as a service – main layers
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing
Application
Cloud application services or "Software as a Service (SaaS)" deliver software as a service
over the Internet, eliminating the need to install and run the application on the customer's own
computers and simplifying maintenance and support.
Platform
Cloud platform services, also known as platform as a service (PaaS), deliver a computing
platform and/or solution stack as a service, often consuming cloud infrastructure and
sustaining cloud applications. It facilitates deployment of applications without the cost and
complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software layers
Infrastructure
Cloud infrastructure services, also known as "infrastructure as a service" (IaaS), deliver
computer infrastructure – typically a platform virtualization environment – as a service, along
with raw (block) storage and networking. Rather than purchasing servers, software, datacenter space or network equipment, clients instead buy those resources as a fully outsourced
service. Suppliers typically bill such services on a utility computing basis; the amount of
resources consumed (and therefore the cost) will typically reflect the level of activity.

6. Computing as a service – deployment models
Public cloud
Public cloud describes cloud computing in the traditional mainstream sense, whereby resources
are dynamically provisioned to the general public on a fine-grained, self-service basis over the
Internet, via web applications/web services, from an off-site third-party provider who bills on a
fine-grained utility computing basis
Private cloud
Private cloud is infrastructure operated solely for a single organization, whether managed
internally or by a third-party and hosted internally or externally.
Hybrid cloud
Hybrid cloud is a composition of two or more clouds
(private, community, or public) that remain unique
entities but are bound together, offering the
benefits of multiple deployment models.

7. IBM SmartCloud - Power Cloud focus on IaaS
From IBM SmartCloud:
http://www.ibm.com/cloud-computing/us/en/what-is-cloud-computing.html

8. The journey to Cloud for IBM i clients
Infrastructure as a Service Technologies
Infrastructure
Platform
Management
and Administration
Availability and
Performance
Security and
Compliance
Usage and
Accounting
Orchestrate
with advanced cloud
Automate
Service
Orchestration
and Integration
This is not always a linear
progression. Some
clients begin by
optimizing their
virtualization
foundation for a
workload, then
gradually move to
cloud.
with entry cloud
Basic cloud
(Self-service,
admin, VM
provisioning)
Basic cloud
(Self-service,
admin, VM
provisioning)
Virtualization
& platform
management
Virtualization
& platform
management
Virtualization
& platform
management
Virtualized
Servers, Storage,
Networking
Virtualized
Servers, Storage,
Networking
Virtualized
Servers, Storage,
Networking
Integrate
your virtualized foundation
Others require cloud
capabilities from the
beginning and may
start with advanced
cloud or entry cloud
solutions.
A client may be in all of
these stages w/
different workloads
across their data
center.

9. IBM i Cloud Stack Reference Configuration

IBM i v7.1
–
–

POWER7
–
–

–
VIOS provides needed virtualization layer
IBM Systems Director VMControl
–
–

Management underpinnings for a virtualized environment
PowerVM with VIOS
–

With associated management software
Optimized to serve storage to multiple environments
HMC management appliance
–

Rock solid hardware as a base
Reference example is Power 740
External storage (DS8000, V7000…)
–

Additional function enabled with TRs (Technology Refreshes)
Enabled for provisioning (TR3 and later)
Image repository
Rapid provisioning
SmartCloud Entry
–
Entry cloud functionality

10. PureFlex as a Cloud ready platform for IBM i

IBM i v7.1
–
–

IBM PureFlex Standard / Enterprise
–
–
–
–
–

Additional function enabled with TRs (Technology Refreshes)
Enabled for provisioning (TR3 and later)
IBM Flex Chassis
IBM p260/p270/p460/p470 compute nodes
IBM PowerVM (VIOS)
IBM V7000 Storage
IBM Flex Systems Manager (FSM) advanced
SmartCloud Entry
–
Entry cloud functionality

11. Implementing IBM SmartCloud Entry on Power

12. VMControl overview
IBM

13. What is IBM Systems Director VMControl
What is VMControl
A plugin for IBM Systems Director; a native plugin of IBM Flex Systems Manager.
A cross-platform suite of products that assists you in rapidly deploying virtual appliances to
create virtual servers, which are configured with the operating system and software
applications
Designed to simplify the management of workloads in your IT environment
Advanced features enables you to group resources into system pools
– Centrally manage and control different workloads
– Consolidate workloads into distinct and manageable groups

14. VMControl Editions

15. PureFlex FSM editions
basic
advanced
The IBM Flex System Manager advanced feature set upgrade offers the following advanced features:
- Image management (VMControl Standard)
- Pool management (VMControl Enterprise)

16. IBM Cloud is built around Open Standards
OVF standardizes a virtual machine image structure and packaging format
– The Open Virtualization Format is being standardized in the DMTF.
– Allows complex software solutions to be defined as compositions of virtual machine images.
– IBM’s collaboration with other industry leaders has driven the OVF standard.
A Virtual Machine Image:
– Simplifies delivery and deployment of complex software systems
– Provides pre-installed, pre-configured and tested software
– Operating Systems, Middleware and/or Application Software
– The entire software solution is managed (deployed, updated, etc.) as a unit
Removes the need to deal with problematic dependency management
Virtual Machine Images enable the delivery of SaaS in the Cloud
– IBM Software is being delivered as Virtual Appliances (e.g. WebSphere CloudBurst)
– Many others within the industry are forming ecosystems around Virtual Machine Images
VMControl enables the delivery and management of Open
Standard Virtual Machine Images on IBM Systems.

17. Understanding terminology in VMControl
Virtual Servers
–
–
–
–
LPARs on Power
Virtual machines in z/VM and VMware environments.
Must be part of a virtualization environment that is supported by IBM Systems Director
Logical equivalent of a physical platform
Software
application
Operating
system

18. Understanding terminology in VMControl
Virtual Appliance
Ready-to-deploy operating system and LPAR definition
– Stored in IBM System Director VMControl Image Repository
– Contains metadata describing the virtual server (LPAR) the image requires
– Stored in raw disk format + Open Virtualization Format (OVF) file for IBM i
–
Image
reference
Software
application
Operating
system
Metadata

19. Understanding terminology in VMControl
Workloads
–
–
–
One or more virtual servers that can be monitored and managed as a single entity
Automatically created when you deploy a virtual appliance
Can be created by grouping together one or more virtual servers
Virtual Appliance
Image
reference
Software
application
Operating
system
Metadata
deployed

20. Understanding terminology in VMControl
System pools
–
–
–
Group of Power Systems or blades managed as a single IT resource
Private cloud for deploying business workloads
Facilitates the relocation of virtual servers from one host to others hosts in the system
pool
Fibre Channel

21. IBM i provisioning with
VMControl
IBM

22. The overall picture

23. VMControl standard edition
Deploy
Virtual Machines
Capture
Virtual Machines
Open Virtualization Format (OVF)





Discover and manage heterogeneous image repositories
Capture and catalog new virtual images from existing systems
Simplified virtual image deployment and customization
Dynamically provision virtual server, storage and network resource
Leverages OVF open standard packaging for interoperability

24. Image Repository
Storage Copy Service (SCS) based provisioning is
- A provisioning service that allocates Virtual Servers, SAN resources, and copies OS images
via VIOS “dd” copy or SVC/V7000/DS8000 Fast Copy (for both deploy and capture)
- A provisioning service that uses VMControl Common Repository to manage and deploy
AIX/SUSE/RHEL/IBM i “raw” images
- A method that uses VIOS as the “Image Control Point” for the CR repository
- Capable of deploying VAs from a VMControl CR as new Power platform virtual servers or
onto existing virtual servers on Power platforms

25. Activation Engine
Customization information from UI (ip configuration) is built into an OVF “Environment
Document” ovf.env.xml
A virtual optical drive is created and attached to new virtual server and ovf.env.xml document
file is loaded into drive.
- Allows the document to be accessible to the activation engine when the new virtual server
boots up
- Requires at least one VIOS OS be discovered and have access on the host system where
new virtual server is deployed
Timer is used to remove the virtual optical drive after an hour
- If director ended and restarted in that hour virtual optical would be removed when virtual
server is relocated

26. Activation Engine

27. Capture IBM i LPAR overview
Install and configure VMControl and Storage Control/TPC
– SAN automation and Storage Copy Services capture are required
– NIM capture is not supported for IBM I
Prepare IBM i LPAR*
– v7.1 TR3 or later
– Install/verify required LPPs and PTFs
– Install and enable activation engine (AE, also distributed as PTF)
Discover and unlock IBM i LPAR in Director
– Director Common Agent is not required in IBM i for this function
Collect inventory on IBM i LPAR
Shut down IBM i LPAR
Use VMControl Capture wizard

28. Capture IBM i LPAR overview

29. Capture IBM i LPAR - name

30. Capture IBM i LPAR – select disks

31. Capture IBM i LPAR – verify the relationships

32. Capture IBM i LPAR – networking

33. Capture IBM i LPAR – versioning

34. Capture IBM i LPAR – finish

35. Capture IBM i LPAR – execute now

36. Capture IBM i LPAR – captured

37. Deploy IBM i LPAR overview
Select correct IBM i image in VMControl
Use VMControl deploy wizard
Select individual Power server on which to deploy
Server system pool support for IBM i is planned
– Enter network customization information for new LPAR
–
AE runs on initial IPL after deploy to customize networking

38. Deploy IBM i LPAR – select virtual appliance

39. Deploy IBM i LPAR – select the Power Pool

40. Deploy IBM i LPAR – what is a systems pool (1/6)

41. Deploy IBM i LPAR – what is a systems pool (2/6)

42. Deploy IBM i LPAR – what is a systems pool (3/6)

43. Deploy IBM i LPAR – what is a systems pool (4/6)

44. Deploy IBM i LPAR – what is a systems pool (5/6)

45. Deploy IBM i LPAR – what is a systems pool (6/6)

46. Deploy IBM i LPAR – choose disks

47. Deploy IBM i LPAR – additional options

48. Deploy IBM i LPAR – workload name

49. Deploy IBM i LPAR – choose networking

50. Deploy IBM i LPAR – network customization

51. Deploy IBM i LPAR – finish

52. Deploy IBM i LPAR – deploying

53. Deploy IBM i LPAR – deploy completed

54. SmartCloud Entry support
IBM

55. IBM SmartCloud Entry on Power
Cloud management software that runs on top of
PowerVM and VMControl Virtualization Foundation
Heterogeneous Cloud Management, with OpenStack embedded
Manages Power Cloud
– Manages X86 based Cloud (Vmware, KVM, Hyper-V)
Provides entry cloud functionality:
– Self Service UI
– Automated provisioning of virtual servers.
– Automated de-provisioning of virtual servers
– Cloning/snapshots of workloads
– Starting/stopping servers
– Resizing existing servers
Provides additional Cloud functionality:
– Approval Life Cycle
– Expiration Policies
– Multi-tenancy through Projects
– Email notifications
– Billing and Accounting
– Metering
–

56. Deploy IBM i with IBM SmartCloud Entry 1st Click
Manage Appliances represents the Service Catalog, aka the Cloud “Image Catalog”.
Users can browse the “Image Catalog” and select only the virtual appliances they are entitled on.

57. Deploy IBM i with IBM SmartCloud Entry 2nd Click
Virtual Appliances are listed by Project and/or by Cloud Pool.
This ensures and element of multi-tenancy.

58. Deploy IBM i with IBM SmartCloud Entry 3rd Click
The virtual appliance must be selected, so that the user can decide to Deploy.

59. Deploy IBM i with IBM SmartCloud Entry 4th Click

60. PowerVC support
IBM

61. IBM PowerVC support (Statement of Direction)
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/forums/html/topic?id=8d06f56a-7c0c-4c76-ba48-5b2e3508adb4
“Systems Director offers lots of features and across platform (x86 and
mainframe) support not found in PowerVC in the near future like Automated
response, system log collection, VM inventory, upgrading HMC, system
firmware and AIX etc.
PowerVC can be seen more as an VMControl equivalent but we will have to
wait and see as features grow in later versions before stating one is a
replacement. Also the first release of PowerVC does not include some
VMControl features like IBM i, NIM installs or Shared Storage Pools.”

62. Thank you
IBM