Virtualization of Infrastructure with Citrix XenServer 7.0 & XenCenter 7.0

This project demonstrates the virtualization of IT infrastructure using Citrix XenServer 7.0 and XenCenter 7.0, including installtion, configuration, full deployment and administration. It was a part of my BSc. IT – IMS & Cybersecurity degree, and showcases practical system administration, virtualization, and infrastructure management skills.

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🚀 Project Overview

The goal of this project was to design and implement a virtualized server infrastructure using Citrix technologies, enabling:

• Efficient resource allocation and monitoring
• High Availability (HA) setup
• Centralized management through XenCenter
• Live VM migration using XenMotion
• VLAN configuration for network segmentation
• iSCSI shared storage setup

Key Technologies Used:

• Citrix XenServer 7.0
• XenCenter 7.0
• VMware Workstation 16 Pro (Lab environment)
• Windows Server 2016 (Domain Controller)
• iSCSI Storage
• SMB ISO Library

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🛠 Lab Setup

Virtualized Environment Components:

• 2x XenServer Hosts
• 1x Domain Controller (DHCP, DNS, iSCSI Server, XenCenter Management)
• Shared Storage: iSCSI SAN
• ISO Repository: SMB-based ISO library

Base Requirements:

• 64-bit x86 server-class system
• 2+ GHz multi-core CPU
• 2 GB – 1 TB RAM
• 100 Mbps+ NIC
• Citrix XenServer ISO & XenCenter Installer

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📋 Features Implemented

1. XenServer & XenCenter Installation
2. Adding & Managing Hosts in XenCenter
3. Creating Server Pools
4. Joining XenServers to an AD Domain
5. Configuring iSCSI Shared Storage
6. Setting up ISO Libraries
7. VM Creation, Snapshots, and Templates
8. VLAN Configuration for VMs
9. Live VM Migration with XenMotion
10. Performance Monitoring
11. High Availability (HA) Configuration

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🔄 Process Flow

1. Prepare Environment: Create lab in VMware Workstation with required VMs.
2. Install XenServer on hosts from ISO.
3. Install XenCenter on management machine.
4. Connect XenServers to XenCenter and configure networking.
5. Setup Shared Storage via iSCSI.
6. Add ISO Repository for VM installations.
7. Deploy Virtual Machines and test snapshot/template creation.
8. Configure VLANs for network segmentation.
9. Test XenMotion Live Migration.
10. Enable HA for redundancy.

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🎯 Skills Demonstrated

• Virtualization & Hypervisor Management
• Network Configuration (VLANs, NIC Bonding)
• Shared Storage Administration (iSCSI, SMB)
• High Availability & Live Migration
• Domain Integration & Centralized Management
• Performance Monitoring & Troubleshooting

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📖 References

• Official XenServer 7.0 Handbook
• Citrix Support Documentation

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👤 Author

Derick Dmello
LinkedIn | GitHub