How To Install Xen Hypervisor in OpenSUSE ConsoleLinux Sysadmin Source

What is Xen ?

Xen (pronounced /'z?n/) is a virtual-machine monitor for IA-32, x86-64, Itanium and ARM architectures. It allows several guest operating systems to execute on the same computer hardware concurrently. The University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory developed the first versions of Xen; as of 2010[update], the Xen community develops and maintains Xen as free software, licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPLv2).

Xen systems have a structure with the Xen hypervisor as the lowest and most privileged layer.[1] Above this layer come one or more guest operating systems, which the hypervisor schedules across the physical CPUs. The first guest operating system, called in Xen terminology "domain 0" (dom0), boots automatically when the hypervisor boots and receives special management privileges and direct access to all physical hardware by default. The system administrator can log into dom0 in order to manage any further guest operating systems, called "domain U" (domU) in Xen terminology.

Preparation

- Linux OpenSUSE latest version x86_64

Install Xen Hypervisor

#yast

Choose Virtualization
Choose Install Hypervisor and Tools

Next screen is Configuring the VM Server or domain 0
Since you are running in text mode than choose NO.
Next you will need to configure Bridge Ethernet.

IMPORTANT :

You will disconnected from the server if you are trying to install bridge ethernet from ssh.

Make sure you configure your Bridge Ethernet physically in front of your server.
I personally do not suggest you to install XEN Hypervisor via SSH Remote

System will install anything related to XEN such as Xen kernel etc..
After everything completed.
Exit from yast

Configure GRUB loader

#pico /boot/grub/menu.lst
# Modified by YaST2. Last modification on Tue Jan 18 18:54:43 PST 2011
# THIS FILE WILL BE PARTIALLY OVERWRITTEN by perl-Bootloader
# Configure custom boot parameters for updated kernels in /etc/sysconfig/bootloader

## change default 1 to 0 this mean it will choose title Xen as a default kernel to run.
default 0
timeout 8
##YaST - generic_mbr
gfxmenu (hd0,0)/message
##YaST - activate

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: xen###
title Xen -- openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34.7-0.7
root (hd0,0)
kernel /xen.gz
module /vmlinuz-2.6.34.7-0.7-xen root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD1600AAJS-22L7A0_WD-WCAV33362357-part3 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD1600AAJS-22L7A0_WD-WCAV33362357-part2 splash=silent quiet showopts
module /initrd-2.6.34.7-0.7-xen

###Don't change this comment - YaST2 identifier: Original name: linux###
title Desktop -- openSUSE 11.3 - 2.6.34.7-0.7
root (hd0,0)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.34.7-0.7-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD1600AAJS-22L7A0_WD-WCAV33362357-part3 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-WDC_WD1600AAJS-22L7A0_WD-WCAV33362357-part2 splash=silent quiet showopts
initrd /initrd-2.6.34.7-0.7-desktop

Configure Bridge Ethernet for Xen

#pico /etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-br0

BOOTPROTO='static'
BRIDGE='yes'
BRIDGE_FORWARDDELAY='0'
BRIDGE_PORTS='eth0'
BRIDGE_STP='off'
BROADCAST=''
ETHTOOL_OPTIONS=''
IPADDR='xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/xx' ## change this line into your Xen server public ip address
MTU=''
NETMASK=''
NETWORK=''
REMOTE_IPADDR=''
STARTMODE='auto'
USERCONTROL='no'

Reboot the Server

After rebooting the server.
Login into the server again and check the kernel version.

#uname -an
Linux Wowtutorial-Xen 2.6.34.7-0.7-xen #1 SMP 2010-12-13 11:13:53 +0100 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
#

If Xen kernel is loading/running like above result then we good to go.
Next we will setup a VM Guest.

Click here to see a complete How To Create Xen VM Guest