Virtualization is starting to make it into the main stream media, slowly. We are seeing it on gaming systems, in the newspaper and now in comic strips.
All comics have been reduced in size, click on them to see them in their original format
These are a few of the comics including Virtualization I have came across recently.
This comic (above) has been released under:
More comics after the break, including xkcd, comic and Virtualman Read more »
VMware has released a series, currently 19 videos, in an effort to help educate the masses to the methods and practices of using VMware server virtualization.
Here is a sample video, to give you an idea of the style, pace, and level of content provided:
You can also request to download the high resolution version of these video directly by contacting VMware, more information regarding these are available on their youtube page: YouTube - VMwareELearning’s Channel
With a soft launch VMware just opened a couple of online TV channes (one on YouTube and another on Blip.tv) to host a bunch of training videos. No longer than 10 minutes, each video explains how to complete (very) easy tasks with VMware products (just Server 1.0 at the moment).
Responsibilities: A virtual network administrator oversees virtual computer networks to ensure that they function smoothly. A virtual network consists of a grouping of virtual machines that communicate with each other on a physical computer known as a virtual machine host server, on which computer files, programs, and other information are stored. A network may be as small as two or three virtual machines or as large as hundreds when paravirtualization is used.
Education: A virtual network administrator should have a strong background in math, sciences, and computer science, as well as experience working with virtual machines. Although a college degree in computer science, systems science, math, or engineering is not required to become a virtual network administrator, advancement is difficult without one. Administrators should be familiar with a variety of enterprise virtualization software packages, including Microsoft, VMware, and Sun. Because computer technology changes rapidly, administrators must constantly upgrade their knowledge base.
Working Conditions: Virtual network administrators, like other computer professionals, work in an office environment. Most put in forty hours or more of work per week. Much of the job is performed as part of an enterprise team, along with physical network administrators, and virtual machine managers. Configuring a virtual network can require long hours of work over a short period of time. Maintaining the virtual network can alternate between routine tasks and the more interesting but hectic work of troubleshooting and fixing virtual network problems. If a virtual network crashes, the administrator must work as quickly as possible, regardless of the hour, to solve the problem and restore the network to operation.
First, lets start off by breaking this FAQ down into 2 branches, desktop and enterprise. This is because what do you in a Virtual Machine which may run for 20 minutes a week is very different then a 24/7 system.
Software Evaluation / Desktop Virtualization:
Should you run Antivirus software?
Short answer Always. Long answer is this: evaluate the risk, the potential loss, and loss of performance to decide if it is worthwhile. If you are using a virtual machine to test software or websites where the VM is only powered on for a few minutes a day then it is probably ok to avoid the uneeded overhead. If you are running the VM as the development environment, where you are connected to the physical network and visiting websites then you may want to consider running antivirus software.
Which anti virus software should I run?
There are many out there, but any of the big three: mcafee, nortons, avast would be acceptable. For windows XP or Vista systems you can’t go wrong with grisofts free offering.
What if I’m not running Windows, ie running Linux or Solaris?
Ask yourself this, what are you really trying to protect? There are very few viruses out there for linux and solaris at this point. If you have been good about only using highly trusted repositories for your software then you should be safe. Generally it seems safe to say the biggest problem a linux system will encouter is the actual user deleting the wrong file, not a virus.
What anti virus should I run on my corporate server?
There are a few well known quality enterprise grade antivirus options. But they are almost all for windows server in a windows environment. If you are running a linux backend, then what you really need is just enough protect to prevent the spread of viruses onto the windows portion of the network, as it is unlikely that any linux product will be as effective as a secure linux system with a properly configured firewall and security levels.
Symantec AntiVirus supports installation on the following Linux distributions:
* Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.x, 4.x, 5.x
* SUSE Linux Enterprise (server/desktop) 9.x, 10.x
* Novell Open Enterprise Server
* VMware EX 2.5.x, 3.x
Note: Symantec AntiVirus Linux clients are unmanaged clients. You cannot use the Symantec management components, such as Symantec System Center, to centrally manage Symantec AntiVirus Linux clients.
What premade Virtual Machines are available for Antivirus tasks?
Check out this page from Trend Micro USA - Virtualization. They offer a variety of solutions for the enterprise customer, ranging from spam protection to full virus scanning. Their virtual machines are available for VMware workstation 5.x, 6.x, VMware Server 1.x, VMware ESX 3.x.
Also search the VMware Appliance Marketplace for antivirus, there are a few helpful premade machines there.
