Experiences with Virtualisation in DCU Mahon Macnamara Computer Services Department DCU

Student Virtual Machine Needed to address under utilisation of student owned laptops Needed to address under utilisation of student owned laptops Created a VM with DCU specific software and settings Created a VM with DCU specific software and settings Distributed to students via DVD Distributed to students via DVD Distribution of Office and Windows proved in breach of our licensing agreements Distribution of Office and Windows proved in breach of our licensing agreements Could be rectified by purchasing Campus License Student Option Could be rectified by purchasing Campus License Student Option

Application Sandboxing Test software suite created major compatibility problems with another application Test software suite created major compatibility problems with another application Created a VM in which the second application was installed Created a VM in which the second application was installed Looking at implementing application virtualisation technology, e.g. Microsoft Softgrid Looking at implementing application virtualisation technology, e.g. Microsoft Softgrid

Work at Home Scheme Most site license software allows for at home usage Most site license software allows for at home usage Create a preconfigured VM for home PC Create a preconfigured VM for home PC Built in Novell and VPN client, Campus licensing software Built in Novell and VPN client, Campus licensing software Maintains autonomy of Home PC – One installation, one shortcut Maintains autonomy of Home PC – One installation, one shortcut

OS and Application Testing “Is there a spare PC I can try something out on?” “Is there a spare PC I can try something out on?” Allows us to create and maintain a disparate range of Operating Systems and environments Allows us to create and maintain a disparate range of Operating Systems and environments Use of snapshots aids in the testing promise Use of snapshots aids in the testing promise Linux driver compilation would be an example Linux driver compilation would be an example

Platform Independence Allows us to deliver a working environment on a wider range of platforms Allows us to deliver a working environment on a wider range of platforms As Vista is still not officially supported in DCU, installing a Windows XP VM is the only support option for a Vista-only machine As Vista is still not officially supported in DCU, installing a Windows XP VM is the only support option for a Vista-only machine Currently starting to use VMWare Fusion for OSX users Currently starting to use VMWare Fusion for OSX users Using Unity to integrate with the OSX desktop Using Unity to integrate with the OSX desktop