[Info-vax] VMware

[Dave Froble]

On 12/10/2019 7:31 PM, Alexander Schreiber wrote:
> Dave Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
>> On 12/9/2019 11:37 PM, Grant Taylor wrote:
>>> On 12/9/19 8:24 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>>> But, I have to ask, how do they run all those instances.  It seems to
>>>> me that it would be an operations nightmare.  I'm guessing they use
>>>> SANs so backup would not be such an issue.  But other operations?
>>>
>>> It really depends what those instances are.  I don't think it's
>>> difficult to get 100 VMs on a single host, assuming it's got enough
>>> resources and that the VMs are small enough.  10 such hosts in a cluster
>>> is not a problem.  That's 1,000 instances.  More such hosts and VMs is
>>> not difficult.
>>>
>>> SAN LUNs are not a backup any more than shadow disks are a backup.  Nor
>>> is RAID a backup.  Data corruption is a thing.  You need actual backups
>>> if you care about the data.
>>
>> Yes, I understand all that.  But backing up a SAN is probably much
>> easier than backing up 1000 stand alone systems.
>
> Two magic words: standardization & automation.
>
>>> If the instances are Virtual Desktop Infrastructure that's accessed by
>>> end users, then chances are good that the VDI instances are almost
>>> cookie cutter installs and can be replaced at a moments notice.  End
>>> users are advised to save data in a location that's not part of the
>>> VDI's disk that can get replaced.
>>>
>>> Yes, there's operational headaches.  But there's quite a bit of
>>> automation to streamline that.  If a VDI instance fails automation,
>>> replace it with a new copy that passes automation.
>>
>> But what are the applications that can exist in such an environment?
>> That is where I get lost.
>
> Virtual desktops are a thing. Your "desktop" no longer is a box under your
> desk, but a VM in a datacenter somewhere. You connect to it via your laptop.

I detest laptops, tablets, and smart phones.  But that's me as a 
developer.  Not going to happen on devices with non-friendly input devices.

I do use a tablet as a book reader, and sometimes as a moving map 
navigation device when flying.  I admit that such devices do well for 
users of technology.

> It runs a standard image. If it is badly broken, it gets automatically
> reimaged on request with the standard image.

A powerful argument.

> Saves power, hardware and more importantly: support costs.
>
> And that is only one example.

But you still got the laptop, desktop, or other user interface.


-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA  15486