VM DataCenter 2.0 simplifies the management of the storage for virtualized environments, and specifically VMware's ESX and Citrix's Xen server.

This optional module integrates seamlessly into the NexentaStor web GUI, and provides a single point of control to manage all storage related aspects of virtualized servers.

Capabilities include:

• establish storage policies, including scheduled backups and replication, for each VM data set from one user interface
• perform common VM management tasks such as starting and stopping VMs
• use templates to clone VMs at a fraction of the time of cloning within virtualized environments.

Approximately 40% of NexentaStor users report that they are using NexentaStor either behind VMware's ESX server or Xen server.

Many of these users complained that it is quite complex to keep track of the many to many relationships between storage, backup applications, VM servers, file systems, and VM data stores. This plug-in dramatically simplifies the administration of those relationships.

The optional VM DataCenter module makes it simple for storage administrators to leverage the full power of NexentaStor's replication and other capabilities while also enabling them to perform common VM management tasks from the same interface.

To access the VM DataCenter you need to have a commercial license of NexentaStor, which means you can start with a Trial Edition. If you are a Trial Edition user you can request access to the VM DataCenter by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you are a NexentaStor customer you can simply access the plug-in via our state of the art software packaging by typing:

nmc$ setup plugin install vmdc

You can use management console 'show' command to view already installed plugins, and plugins that can be installed:

nmc$ show plugin -h

Or, you can view, install and uninstall the NexentaStor extension modules using appliance's web GUI, as shown below:

Confirming the action:

Installation in progress:

VM DataCenter 2.0 successfully installed:

Please see some of the VM DataCenter 2.0 screenshots below.

Virtual Machines and VM storage

VM storage: attributes, snapshots, clones

VM DataCenter Dashboard: Xen and ESX virtualization platforms (VHosts)

VM DataCenter: Virtual Machine summary information

VM DataCenter: VMotion

For additional information, please refer to User Guide, Section "VM DataCenter". This document is also available online.

Restrictions:

• VMware iSCSI Datastores will not work with ESXi versions >= 4.0
• VMware vMotion support will not work without vCenter deployed and available