About Xen

Xen is an Open Source virtualization solution from Xensource Inc. allowing for both para-virtualization (via means of modified guest operating systems) and 'real' one (via means of Intel VT or AMD Pacifica CPUs).

This document describes TEST Work-in-Progress way of installing Xen Host (Hypervisor/Domain0) and Xen guests (Domain0) using CERN supported Linux distributions (SLC308/SLC45).

: running the XEN hypervisor on SLC4 is deprecated, we are trying to remove support since SLC5 provides a much better hypervisor.

• Slc4XenPhaseout

Xen Installation @ CERN

OK, so this has been done in the past, for example here and here. What is the difference between what is described at these sites and what is described below, then ?

Well, there is a fundamental one: Method described below allows for installing SLC3/4 as a Xen guest in a same way and using same procedures as for SLC3/4 installation on the real hardware, while previously published methods consisted in building workarounds to get the job done (pre-built system images, runing SLC with non-distribution kernel ... etc). As a result, virtual system, once installed, looks exactly the same as any other SLC3/4 installation.

• InstallingXenHypervisor

• PreparingXenGuestFilesystems

• InstallingXenParaVirtualizedSLC3

• InstallingXenParaVirtualizedSLC4 ( UpdatingFromSLC44toSLC45 ) ( InstallingXenParaVirtualizedSLC4onSL5 )

• XenUserGuide

• XenTestEnvironment

• XenTestFigures

• XenificationOfSLC