Proxmox VM Live Migration | Migrate VM to another host without Downtime

  1. Cluster Setup: Ensure that your Proxmox hosts are part of the same cluster. A Proxmox cluster consists of multiple Proxmox VE servers (nodes) combined to offer high availability and load balancing to virtual machines. Nodes in a cluster share resources such as storage and can migrate VMs between each other.
  2. Shared Storage: Live migration requires shared storage accessible by both the source and target hosts. This shared storage can be implemented using technologies like NFS, iSCSI, or Ceph. Shared storage allows the VM’s disk images and configuration files to be accessed by any node in the cluster.
  3. Migration Prerequisites: Before initiating a live migration, ensure that the target host has enough resources (CPU, memory, storage) to accommodate the migrating VM. Proxmox will check these prerequisites before allowing the migration to proceed.
  4. Initiating Migration: In the Proxmox web interface (or using the Proxmox command-line interface), select the VM you want to migrate and choose the “Migrate” option. Proxmox will guide you through the migration process.
  5. Migration Process:
    • Pre-Copy Phase: Proxmox starts by copying the memory pages of the VM from the source host to the target host. This is done iteratively, with the majority of memory pages copied in the initial phase.
    • Stopping Point: At a certain point during the migration, Proxmox determines a stopping point. This is the point at which the VM will be paused briefly to perform a final synchronization of memory pages and state information.
    • Pause and Synchronization: The VM is paused on the source host, and any remaining memory pages and state information are transferred to the target host. This pause is usually very brief, minimizing downtime.
    • Completion: Once the final synchronization is complete, the VM is resumed on the target host. From the perspective of the VM and its users, the migration is seamless, and the VM continues to run without interruption on the target host.
  6. Post-Migration: After the migration is complete, the VM is running on the target host. You can verify this in the Proxmox web interface or using the command-line tools. The source host frees up resources previously used by the migrated VM.
  7. High Availability (HA): In a Proxmox cluster with HA enabled, if a host fails, VMs running on that host can be automatically migrated to other hosts in the cluster, ensuring minimal downtime.

Overall, Proxmox VM live migration is a powerful feature that enables you to move virtual machines between hosts in a Proxmox cluster with minimal downtime, providing flexibility and high availability for your virtualized environment.

FortiGate 80F Firewall Unbox and Configure

Unboxing:

  1. Inspect the Package:
    • Open the shipping box and check for the following components:
      • FortiGate 80F unit
      • Power adapter
      • Ethernet cables
      • Mounting hardware (if applicable)
      • Documentation and setup guide
  2. Connectivity:
    • Identify the WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), and DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) ports on the FortiGate 80F.
    • Connect the appropriate network cables to these ports based on your network architecture.
  3. Power On:
    • Connect the power adapter to the FortiGate 80F and plug it into a power source.
    • Power on the device and wait for it to complete the boot-up process. You can monitor the status using the indicator lights on the unit.

Initial Configuration:

  1. Access Web Interface:
    • Open a web browser and enter the default IP address of the FortiGate 80F (e.g., https://192.168.1.99).
    • Log in using the default credentials (usually “admin” for both username and password).
  2. Initial Setup Wizard:
    • Follow the prompts of the setup wizard to configure basic settings:
      • Set the system name and administrator password.
      • Configure the time zone and date/time settings.
  3. Network Configuration:
    • Set up the WAN and LAN interfaces:
      • Assign IP addresses to the interfaces.
      • Define DHCP settings if applicable.
      • Configure any additional interfaces based on your network design.
  4. Security Policies:
    • Define security policies to control traffic flow. This includes inbound and outbound rules based on source, destination, and services.
    • Implement firewall rules, NAT (Network Address Translation), and security profiles (antivirus, intrusion prevention, etc.).
  5. Update Firmware:
    • Check for firmware updates in the web interface.
    • Download and apply the latest firmware to ensure security patches and feature enhancements.
  6. VPN Configuration (Optional):
    • If your organization requires VPN connectivity, configure VPN settings:
      • Set up IPsec or SSL VPN tunnels.
      • Define VPN users and access policies.
  7. Monitoring and Logging:
    • Configure logging settings to capture events and monitor network activity.
    • Set up alerts for critical events.
  8. User Authentication (Optional):
    • If applicable, configure user authentication:
      • Integrate with LDAP or RADIUS for centralized user management.
      • Implement two-factor authentication for additional security.
  9. Wireless Configuration (Optional):
    • If the FortiGate 80F has wireless capabilities, configure wireless settings, including SSID, security protocols, and access controls.
  10. Testing:
    • Perform thorough testing to ensure that the firewall is functioning as expected.
    • Test internet access, VPN connections, and the enforcement of security policies.

Attach QNAP iSCSI Disk to Windows | Connect to Storage Without HBA Interface

Certainly, attaching a QNAP iSCSI disk to a Windows system involves several steps. Below is a general guide, but please note that specific steps may vary depending on the QNAP NAS model and the version of QTS firmware. Always refer to the documentation provided by QNAP for your specific model.

1. Configure iSCSI on QNAP NAS:

  • Log in to the QNAP NAS web interface.
  • Go to “Control Panel” > “Storage & Snapshots” > “iSCSI Storage.”
  • Create an iSCSI target and specify the settings, such as the target name and access permissions.
  • Create an iSCSI LUN (Logical Unit Number) within the target, specifying its size and other relevant parameters.
  • Note the iSCSI Target IQN (iSCSI Qualified Name) and the IP address of your QNAP NAS.

2. Connect Windows to the iSCSI Target:

  • On your Windows machine, open the iSCSI Initiator.
    • You can open it by searching for “iSCSI Initiator” in the Start menu.
  • In the iSCSI Initiator Properties window, go to the “Targets” tab.
  • Enter the IP address of your QNAP NAS in the “Target” field and click “Quick Connect.”
  • In the Quick Connect window, select the iSCSI target from the list and click “Connect.”
  • In the Connect to Target window, check the box next to “Enable multi-path” if your QNAP NAS supports it.
  • Click “Advanced Settings” to configure CHAP (Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol) settings if you have set up authentication on your QNAP NAS.
  • Click “OK” to connect to the iSCSI target.

3. Initialize and Format the iSCSI Disk:

  • Once connected, open the Disk Management tool on your Windows machine.
    • You can open it by searching for “Create and format hard disk partitions” in the Start menu.
  • You should see the new iSCSI disk as an uninitialized disk.
  • Right-click on the uninitialized disk and choose “Initialize Disk.”
  • Right-click on the newly initialized disk and select “New Simple Volume.”
  • Follow the wizard to create a new partition, assign a drive letter, and format the disk with your preferred file system.

4. Access the iSCSI Disk:

  • After formatting, the iSCSI disk should be accessible through the assigned drive letter.
  • You can now use the iSCSI disk for storage purposes, and it will behave like any other locally attached storage device.

Remember to follow best practices for iSCSI security, such as enabling CHAP authentication and restricting access to specific IP addresses, especially if your QNAP NAS is accessible over the internet. Always refer to the specific documentation for your QNAP NAS model for accurate and up-to-date instructions.