Cool Tools - Consolidation Tool for Sun Fire Servers

Overview

The Consolidation Tool for Sun Fire Servers V1.0, Sun Fire T1000 and T2000 Edition, is a software tool designed to simplify the task of consolidating multiple applications onto the Sun Fire T1000/T2000 platform. In particular, the tool will allow the easy definition and creation of Solaris Containers. It will deploy applications into processor sets where appropriate, allocate "CPUs" into processor sets in a way that optimizes performance, and take full advantage of Solaris Containers (including Solaris Zones, pools, psets, and scheduling classes), making intelligent choices between full-root and sparse Solaris Zones.

The tool also installs versions of key public domain software on the target Sun Fire T1000 or T2000 system.

The functionality is achieved using a simple, easy-to-use interface with context sensitive help. Configuration details are saved to allow the configuration to be easily reused on other Sun Fire T1000/T2000 systems.

Here is the Introduction to the Consolidation Tool for Sun Fire Servers presentation.

The tool is being made available as an open source, unsupported application.

Tool Features

• Captures customer's workload consolidation requirements
  • 'Virtual servers' are defined, each with one or more apps
  • Easy-to-use interface, context-sensitive help
  • 'Basic' and 'expert' modes
  • No assumed Solaris knowledge
• Builds Resource Pools, Psets, and Solaris Zones
  • Based on user input
  • A script is created to be run on the target system
    • Human readable, well documented
    • Can be used as a simple how-to for pool/pset/zone creation
  • Complies with Sun Fire T1000/T2000 best practices
• Deploys a shortlist of public domain applications into Solaris Zones
  • Automatically installs nominated apps
• Provides a report summarizing the deployment
  • Executive summary in html
  • Also in pdf if you have installed the htmldoc binary

Downloads

Consolidation Tool for Sun Fire Servers is available for download from the Sun Download Center.

• Download the tool only, not including public domain packages (20MB tar.gz file)
• Download the full distribution, including the tool and public domain packages (130MB tar.gz file)

Installing and Running the Tool

Gunzip and untar the downloaded tool tar.gz file into a directory of your choice, and run the "start.sh" script to start the tool:

• * cd new_tool_directory
• * gzip -dc tool_download.tar.gz | tar xvf -
• * ./start.sh

The tool can be run on any of:

• Solaris on SPARC
• Solaris on x64/x86
• Linux
• MacOS X

The tool can be run on any of: This allows you to configure the consolidation environment on a client of your choice. The tool will create a script that should be run on the target Sun Fire T1000/T2000 system. Note that if you have elected within the tool to install public domain applications, you will need to put the full distribution onto the target system so that the script can find the public domain applications when you run it.

Support

Consolidation Tool is provided without support. However, CoolTools Forum are available where questions and discussions about installing, using, or improving Consolidation Tool can be posted. Posting in the forums does not guarantee a response. Please send your feedback to: .