As you all know that SP1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 gone RTM adding two new virtualization capabilities: Dynamic Memory and RemoteFXLet’s first understand these capabilities in details.
Dynamic Memory:
An enhancement to Hyper-V R2, Dynamic Memory pools all the memory available on a physical host. Dynamic Memory then dynamically distributes available memory, as it is needed, to virtual machines running on that host. Then with Dynamic Memory Balancing, virtual machines will be able to receive new memory allocations, based on changes in workload, without a service interruption.
RemoteFX:
Microsoft RemoteFX leverages the power of virtualized graphics resources and advanced codecs to recreate the fidelity of hardware-assisted graphics acceleration, including support for 3D content and Windows Aero, on a remote user’s device. This allows for a local-like, remote experience.
In the light of new features, service Pack 1 will also be released for VMM 2008 R2 to manage Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX on multiple Hyper V Servers from a single pane of glass.
Lets understand the requirements on your Hyper V hosts and VMs to be able to manage by VMM 2008 R2.
System Requirement for Manage Dynamic Memory:
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Host
Supported Operating System in the VM
Upgrade Integration Services in the VM
RemoteFX Requirements on Hosts
CPU must support SLAT
One or more GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) that support DirectX 10
Enough GPU Memory available for max monitors and resolution
RemoteFX feature enabled under the Remote Desktop Services Role
RemoteFX requirements on VMs
Supported Operating System in the VM
New Integration Services (part of Windows 7 SP1)
Can be combined with Dynamic Memory
VMM 2008 R2 SP1 now has settings to manage Dynamic Memory setting of VMs which are as follows:
Startup Memory (8 to 65536 MB)
Maximum Memory (8 to 65536 MB)
Memory Buffer (0 to 95%)
Memory Priority
Normal, Low, High
Custom (0 – 10000)
To manage the RemoteFX , following settings have been added
Default Standard video adapter
New RemoteFX 3D video adapter
Maximum number of monitors: 1,2,3,4
Max monitor resolution
o 1024×768 (4 monitors max)
o 1280×1024 (4 monitors max)
o 1600×1200 (3 monitors max)
o 1920×1200 (2 monitors max)
Additional VM property
GPU ID (PowerShell only)
Since RemoteFX requires you to have SLAT CPU and specific GPU and available GPU memory, VMM 2008 R2 SP1 will also let you identify the following on the hosts.
1. CPU Supports SLAT
2.GPU and available Memory
3.Intelligent Placement
While creating a new VM or migrating a new VM from one host to another, VMM 2008 R2 SP1 added new check for Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX in the Intelligent placement.
o Use Current Memory footprint for DM VMs on hosts: While doing the migration or creating new VM, VMM will check how much is the current memory the VM is running with, for E.g, you have specified startup memory as 1 GB and max memory as 6 GB but at the time of migration the VM is running at 2 GB memory. In that case, VMM will check if the other host has at least 2 GB free memory to be able to migrate this VM.
o Check for GPU-compatibility when migrating RemoteFX VMs : While migrating a RemoteFX based VM, VMM 2008 R2 checks if identical GPU is available on the other hosts with required memory, Remote FX should be enabled in RDS.
4. Updates to Performance and Resource Optimization
PRO ties specific Operations Manager alerts to remediation actions in VMM, VMM moves a load-balance VMs in a cluster when CPU or Memory exceed a threshold. SP1 update to VMM PRO Pack a consider Current Memory utilization and not the fixed memory for DM VMs and matches it with the memory available on the other nodes.
How do I upgrade from SCVMM 2008 R2 to SP1.
Pretty simple, just 4 steps to upgrade
Backup VMM Database
Launch setup and follow the Upgrade Wizard
Repeat on each box [Console, Self-Service Web Server, Operations Manager Server]
Remove, then import new PRO Management Pack in Operations Manager
R2 Agents are supported in SP1, no need to re-deploy agents to Hosts and Library Servers
Upgrade the Integration components on all the VMs.
One thought on “SP1 improvements 2008 R2 and SCVMM”