Virtualized IT resource management is often supported by virtualization infrastructure management (VIM) tools that collectively manage virtual IT resources and rely on a centralized management module, otherwise known as a controller, that runs on a dedicated computer. VIMs are commonly encompassed by the resource management system.

The VIM coordinates the server hardware so that virtual server instances can be created from the most expedient underlying physical server. It can be used to manage a range of virtual IT resources across multiple physical servers, and provides for centralized administration of virtualized resources including creating, storing, backing up, patching and monitoring.

As an example, a VIM can create and manage multiple instances of a hypervisor across different physical servers, and can move a virtual server from one physical server to another.

Figure 1 shows a resource management system encompassing a VIM platform and a virtual machine image repository. The VIM may have additional repositories, including one dedicated to storing operational data.

Figure 1 – An example of a VIM and a VM image repository within a resource management system.

Related Patterns:

• Cross-Hypervisor Workload Mobility
• Detecting and Mitigating User-Installed VMs
• Direct I/O Access
• Direct LUN Access
• Elastic Resource Capacity
• External Virtual Server Accessibility
• Hypervisor Clustering
• Load Balanced Virtual Server Instances
• Load Balanced Virtual Switches
• Memory Over-Committing
• NIC Teaming
• Non-Disruptive Service Relocation
• Persistent Virtual Network Configuration
• Power Consumption Reduction
• Redundant Physical Connection for Virtual Servers
• Resource Pooling
• Resource Reservation
• Shared Resources
• Stateless Hypervisor
• Virtual Disk Splitting
• Virtual Server Connectivity Isolation
• Virtual Server Folder Migration
• Virtual Server-to-Host Affinity
• Virtual Server-to-Host Anti-Affinity
• Virtual Server-to-Virtual Server Affinity
• Virtual Server-to-Virtual Server Anti-Affinity
• Virtual Switch Isolation
• Zero Downtime

This mechanism is covered in CCP Module 7: Fundamental Cloud Security and
in Module 8: Advanced Cloud Security.

For more information regarding the Cloud Certified Professional (CCP) curriculum, visit www.arcitura.com/ccp.

The architectural model upon which this design pattern is based is further covered in:

Cloud Computing Design Patterns by Thomas Erl, Robert Cope, Amin Naserpour

(ISBN: 9780133858563, Hardcover, ~ 528 pages)

For more information about this book, visit www.arcitura.com/books.