Moving VMware Server, high kernel times

Captain Fizz · 6 Oct 2008 at 11:35

Hello folks,

Not sure if this is a Windows prob or Linux prob TBH.
Note: Bit of a Lunix noob

We moved our server from Mandriva with VMware 1.0.4 to an Ubuntu Server with VMWare server 1.0.6.
Mandriva: 2.6.17-13mdv (x86_64)
Ubuntu: 8.04 - 2.6.24-19-server (x86_32)

Ever since then we've had VERY high Kernel times within Win2k3:

Everything else works fine, the server is running quicker due to 2 x as much RAM, just occasional spurts of 100% for a few minutes is obviously having an impact.

Anyone got ideas on what could be causing it?

Would it be worth attempting to upgrade to VMWare Server v2 this weekend? Or would that not make any difference?

Thanks

EDIT - Old Host was Intel Xeon, new host is AMD Opteron.

Fanatic · 6 Oct 2008 at 12:28

You doubled the RAM but went from 64 down to 32bit OS? Seems a bit backwards to me?

FirebarUK · 6 Oct 2008 at 13:34

^ Indeed. This might explain your problems - especially if guest OS' are 64bit!

zetec452 · 6 Oct 2008 at 14:03

VMware server 2.0 is out now. Is much better than 1.06. May be worth trying that.

Or use ESXi, its free.

Captain Fizz · 6 Oct 2008 at 14:40

Guest OS is 32bit.
As said I'm not that great with Linux and ended up installing the 32bit version of Ubuntu server as it was easier to install VMWare Server that way.
(I know it's prob v easy to install, but I didn't find it that easy ^^ )

I've looked at the hardware compatibility list for ESXi, I take it I shouldn't worry if it's nowhere to be seen on there?
NEC2500 model range is nowhere in the PDF.
IE - Would ESXi even run on the box?

Thanks

EDIT - If not - you'd recommend a 64bit flavour of Linux too?
I can just scratch my head/google a bit more to get it installed OK.

.walls · 6 Oct 2008 at 17:52

Fizz, ESX may or may not install on the box - just because it's not on the HCL doesn't mean it won't install - it just means that it was not tested on that hardware and won't be supported by VMware (but you're using the free edition anyway, so I find it unlikely that you'll be looking for support from them!!) I reckon it should be tried anyway! (rude not to, after all

)

Gimme a shout when you're not raiding (!!) and we'll discuss.

p.s. nice sig - never noticed it before!

mdjmcnally · 6 Oct 2008 at 18:04

I have installed ESXi on

Asus P5W64Pro
HD attached to SATA
Intel Pro 1000PT Dual Port Adaptrt

installed fine. Needed the network adaptor as didn't like the one built in. Will install on most systems, networking is biggest area that found so far andf get around that with Intel NIC's.

.walls · 6 Oct 2008 at 18:20

mdjmcnally said:
installed fine. Needed the network adaptor as didn't like the one built in. Will install on most systems, networking is biggest area that found so far andf get around that with Intel NIC's.

Yip - it doesn't seem to like Realtek, Marvell or nVidia chip based NICs.