[virt-tools-list] Best practice for shared-storage and network configuration via CLI for Virt-Manager?

[Richard W.M. Jones]

On Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 06:48:18AM -0700, Decker, Schorschi wrote:
> As we continue to automate (current) version of virt-manager, what would
> be the best method to establish volumes and network connectivity?
> 
> Obviously we can automate the creation of a physical NIC bridge, which
> is our desired method for VM connectivity outside of the KVM host, and
> we can reference said bridge interface as we build VMs.  However, are
> there any side-effects to this method we should know about?

The only immediate thing I can think of is the firewall rules the
libvirtd adds.  You'd want to check that libvirtd is (or is not?)
creating the right rules for you.

Also note that if you restart the firewall, all the libvirtd rules get
thrown out and your guests can't talk to each other (RHBZ#227011).

> Same basic question for mount points to shared storage between KVM
> hosts.  We plan to use NAS/NFS initially, some day we might use SAN
> infrastructure.  Creating the mount points is straight forward from an
> automation perspective, but to get virt-manager to see these volumes,
> any issues we  should be aware of?  Take into consideration?

I can't think of any issues.

> Anyone that has done this before?  Figure we can benefit from lessons
> learned?  As always thanks for the assistance.

If you want precise control over how guests are created, use
virt-install or even create/edit libvirt XML directly from your
scripts.

Rich.

-- 
Richard Jones, Virtualization Group, Red Hat http://people.redhat.com/~rjones
virt-top is 'top' for virtual machines.  Tiny program with many
powerful monitoring features, net stats, disk stats, logging, etc.
http://et.redhat.com/~rjones/virt-top