Summary
This FAQ article includes questions related to resource pools using XenServer 4.0.1. Refer to CTX115716 – Citrix XenServer 4.0.1H FAQ for the full set of FAQs.
Q: What is a Resource Pool?
A: A Resource Pool is a collection of multiple similar XenServer Enterprise servers connected together in a unified pool of resources. These connected servers share remote storage and common networking connections. A Resource Pool allows for XenMotion (Live Migration) of virtual machines (VMs), shared configurations, and automatic placement of VMs. Resource Pools provide shared authentication between servers.
Q: What features are enabled by creating a Resource Pool?
A: Resource Pools enable XenMotion of VMs, automatic placement of virtual machines, shared authentication, and shared configurations for networking and remote storage.
Q: Which of your products support creation of Resource Pools?
A: Resource Pools can only be created with the XenServer Enterprise product and can only contain other XenServer Enterprise servers.
Q: What system controls a Resource Pool?
A: In a Resource Pool, one of the XenServer Enterprise servers is set as a master for the Resource Pool. This master controls locking access to shared storage and coordinates configuration changes. All of the other XenServer Enterprise servers in a Resource Pool have the ability to become a master.
Q: What happens if the master server in a Resource Pool has a failure?
A: If a master server in a Resource Pool has a failure, all the other servers in the Resource Pool continue to operate and run their VMs. If the master server cannot be brought back online, any of the other XenServer Enterprise servers in the Resource Pool can be promoted to a master to control the Resource Pool. All of the configuration data for a Resource Pool, its servers, configurations, and VMs are copied to every member of the Resource Pool automatically during normal operation.
Q: Where is the configuration data for a Resource Pool, its servers, and VMs stored?
A: A copy of this data is stored on every XenServer Enterprise server in the Resource Pool. This allows any server to take over operation of the Resource Pool in the event of a failure.
Q: What types of configurations can be made at the Resource Pool level?
A: Shared remote storage and shared networking configurations can be made at the Resource Pool level. A shared configuration is made once on the Resource Pool. The master server then automatically configures all the member servers with this configuration change. Also any servers added to the resource pool in the future will receive these same configurations automatically.
Q: Will new servers added to a Resource Pool automatically be configured with shared network and storage settings?
A: Yes. Whenever a new XenServer Enterprise server is added to a Resource Pool, the server will be configured with any shared storage and network settings.
