Basic questions about setup in Proxmox

[roberto99]

Hello all

Would somebody explain to me these basic concepts about virtualization with Proxmox?

As I have read it is generally recommended to have a external (nas/san) and shared storage. But the virtual machines are on the virtualization host... so does that mean that

When I create (kvm) a VM I define the virtual HD's to sit on an external storage? But the config. files of the VM are stored on the V-host?
Does this mean that a lot of data has to be pulled over the network and the network speed could quickly become a problem?
But only the processor power of the vm host is critical?

Also, if I have several vm's running at the same time, should I always (no matther where the storage is sitting?) make sure that every vm has its own harddisk so that read/write operations from differenz vm's dont hinder each other?

Would be nice if somebody could help me with this. Thanks in advance!
Roberto

 

[tom]

Proxmox VE can use local or remote storage - if you use KVM. Containers works on local storage only.

See http://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Storage_Model

Make sure your storage is fast enough to handle the load, in most times IO is the bottleneck.

 

[roberto99]

Hello Tom

Thank you for your quick reply!

I read several times the info about the Storage Model.
Unfortunately my questions are not answered there

I understand that my questions are of a very basic nature in virtualization. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction where to find more information about those questions mentioned earlier?

Thanks in advance!
Roberto

 

[tom]

I do not really understand your question. pls ask simple questions and you will get a simple answer.

 

[roberto99]

Thanks Tom

So, my questions are:

1. If I use external storage, when I create a VM (kvm) I define the virtual HD's to sit on an external storage? But the config. files of the VM are stored on the virtualization host?

2. Using external storage, does this mean that a lot of data has to be pulled over the network and the network speed could quickly become a problem?

3. Using external storage, still only the processor power of the vm host is critical and the processor power of the esternal storage is not very important?

4. If I have several vm's running at the same time, should I always make sure that every vm has its own harddisk so that read/write operations from differenz vm's are not a problem for each other?

Thanks a lot for the help
Roberto

 

[tom]

Thanks Tom

So, my questions are:

1. If I use external storage, when I create a VM (kvm) I define the virtual HD's to sit on an external storage? But the config. files of the VM are stored on the virtualization host?

yes, the config is the host. beginning with Proxmox VE 2.0 beta, the config is on all nodes due to pmxcfs

2. Using external storage, does this mean that a lot of data has to be pulled over the network and the network speed could quickly become a problem?

depends on the storage technology you use and also depends on your needs. e.g. if use FC you can expect good speed. if you iSCSI you should use a dedicated and redundant storage network, if 1 Gbit is not enough think of 10 Gbit. But this is not Proxmox VE specific question.

3. Using external storage, still only the processor power of the vm host is critical and the processor power of the esternal storage is not very important?

yes, the processor power of the external storage is not relevant for the virtualization.

4. If I have several vm's running at the same time, should I always make sure that every vm has its own harddisk so that read/write operations from differenz vm's are not a problem for each other?

Thanks a lot for the help
Roberto

Depends on your needs. If storage is the bottleneck, improve storage performance. You need to analyze the needs of your guests and then you can plan your storage.

 

[roberto99]

Thank you a lot Tom! This helps me.

have a nice day
Roberto