Xen virtualization

quick howto

dhcp with virt-install

need a xen specific kickstart file (both for dom0 and domU)

helper script to add a virtual machine, using an LV for the data:

#!/bin/bash
#
# Xen MACs start with: 00:16:3e

NAME=xen-test-client
MAC=00:16:3e:00:00:00
VGNAME=xen_vg0

# create a logical volume
lvcreate -L 8G -n $NAME $VGNAME

# install
virt-install \
    --name=$NAME \
    --ram=256 \
    --os-type=linux \
    --os-variant=rhel5.4 \
    --location=/mnt/artemis/wspace/OS/CentOS/5.5/ \
    --disk path=/dev/$VGNAME/$NAME \
    --mac=$MAC \
    --nographics \
    -w bridge:xenbr0 \
    -x "cmdline ks=nfs:192.168.1.2:/wspace/OS/kickstart/centos5.5xenclient.ks ksdevice=eth0"

start:

xm create NAME

shutdown cleanly:

xm shutdown NAME

list running vms:

xm list

shutdown forcibly:

xm destroy NAME

get a console:

xm console NAME

detach from console: Esc, Ctrl+]

Xen tips and tricks

xen kickstart example

install centos domU

centos, xen, and lvm