This tutorial shows, how you can install and configure XEN Virtualizaion in RedHat/CentOS so that you can install  another operating system virtually in it.

Introduction:

You may have heard about Virtual PC, Virtualbox or Vmware in Windows or Linux. XEN is the same sort of software. It is a powerful open source industry standard for virtualization, offers a powerful, efficient, and secure feature set for virtualization of x86, x86_64, IA64, ARM, and other CPU architectures. It supports a wide range of guest operating systems including Windows, Linux, Solaris, and BSD operating systems.

Installation and Configuration of XEN:

 

1. First install the required packages. We are installing vsftpd package (required for FTP Server) also as later on we will keep all the O/s dump on FTP Server, that we will install using XEN.

yum install vsftpd *xen* *virt-manager*

2. Start vsftpd service

service vsftpd start

3. Start xend service

service xend start

4. Set vsftpd and xend to automatically start at boot time.

chkconfig vsftpd on
chkconfig xend on

5. Disable firewall (where dump files are available)

lokkit

6. Create a partition of 8 GB

 

7. Insert RHEL or CentOS DVD in DVD ROM and mount it.

mount /dev/cdrom /media

8. Copy all files and folders  in /var/ftp/pub

cp -r /media/* /var/ftp/pub

9. Give permission in /var/ftp/pub

chmod -R 777 /var/ftp/pub

10. Give permission in /var/ftp/pub

chmod -R 777 /var/ftp/pub

11. Run following command only in case selinux is enabled. It is better you disable selinux from lokkit command.

restorecon -v -R /var/ftp/pub

Note: You don't need to follow 11 number step if selinux is already disabled in your system.

12. Reboot your computer.

reboot

13. Now Select Xen from boot loader while starting your computer.

14. Once the system is started, run following command in gnome-terminal to start Virtual Manager.

virt-manager

15. And now follow the wizard.

NOTE: In wizard type nfs:192.168.1.11:/var/ftp/pub or ftp://192.168.1.11/pub in Installation Location.