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ZStack Cloud 4.7.0

Highlights

  • Enhancements of GuestTools: You can use the GuestTools to modify the hostname for running VM instances, read IP addresses configured in VM instances, and push internal monitoring data by QGA.
  • Support for Fast Cloning VM Instance: In addition to full cloning, now you can clone VM instances by using Instant Full Clone or Linked Clone. You can also flatten resource snapshots to achieve data independence.
  • Enhancements of Host O&M Management: You can manage host IPMI info through UI, change host power remotely, and enter the host web terminal through UI.

Overview

VM Instance
  1. Enhancements of VM HA Policy.
    1. HA support for business networks.
    2. Optimization of HA policy display.
  2. Enhancements of GuestTools.
    1. Supports modifying VM hostname through GuestTools.
    2. Supports VM internal monitoring by QGA of GuestTools.
    3. Supports reading IP addresses configured in VM through GuestTools.
    4. Supports mainstream Linux/Windows OS.
  3. Supports fast cloning VM instance.
    1. Adds new clone methods: Instant Full Clone and Linked Clone.
    2. Supports flattening resource snapshots to achieve data independence.
  4. Adds confirmation box for expunging VM instances to avoid accidental deletion.
Cloud Network
  1. Configures Bond on UI.
Cloud Storage
  1. Adds backup storage mount status detection and supports attaching BS to the current zone with one click.
Host
  1. Enhancements of host O&M management.
    1. Supports managing host IPMI info through UI.
    2. Supports changing host power remotely.
    3. Supports entering the host web terminal through UI.
Platform O&M
  1. Supports enabling/disabling event alarm.
  2. Enhancements of log management.
    1. Supports collecting log in the specified time period and type with one click.
    2. Supports quick export of log file.
Elastic Baremetal Management
  1. Enhancement of elastic baremetal management.
Installation and Deployment
  1. Official release of Helix.

VM Instance

Enhancements of VM HA Policy

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud supports configuring HA policies for business networks of VM instances, thus covering all mainstream HA scenarios. Furthermore, the Cloud provides a visualized table that allows you to configure VM failover strategies. This feature enables you to configure HA policies flexibly while ensuring business stability and continuity.

HA Support for Business Networks

In earlier versions, ZStack Cloud has supported setting the HA mode of VM instances to None or NeverStop.

  • None: VM instances will not auto restart when stopped.
  • NeverStop: VM instances scheduled or unexpectedly stopped will auto start.

Besides, ZStack Cloud supports inspecting the connectivity status of management networks and storage networks. If the HA policy is set to Force and the HA mode is set to NeverStop, VM instances will HA migrate and restart in case of storage network failure.

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud supports inspecting the business NIC status. If you set the corresponding failover strategy to Yes, VM instances will HA migrate and restart if the business NIC fails. Currently, this feature only supports VM instances using L2NoVlanNetwork/L2VlanNetwork that employs the standard network acceleration mode.

Figure 1. VM HA Mode


Figure 2. Modify VM Failover Strategy


Figure 3. Business NIC of Host A Turns Down


Figure 4. VM Instances Migrate to Host B


Optimization of HA Policy Display

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud allows you to enable/disable the HA policy for all VM instances on the cloud with one click. If you enable the HA policy, you can then configure the failover strategies for VM instances simply by editing a truth table. The failover strategies cover abnormal scenarios concerning the management network connectivity status, storage network connectivity status, and business NIC status.

Besides, the Cloud brings together all global settings concerning VM HA and displays them on a single page. Now you can globally customize VM HA policies more conveniently.

Figure 5. Configure VM HA Policy


Figure 6. Advanced Settings of VM HA Policy


Enhancements of GuestTools

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, GuestTools supports the following new functions:

Supports Modifying VM Hostname through GuestTools

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, you can modify the hostname on UI. If the VM is running and is installed with the latest GuestTools, the hostname is deployed by the GuestTools and takes effect immediately.

If the VM instance is not running or does not have the latest GuestTools installed, the hostname is deployed by the DHCP service and takes effect after you restart the VM instance.

Figure 1. Modify VM Hostname


Supports VM Internal Monitoring by QGA of GuestTools

In earlier versions, ZStack Cloud has supported VM internal monitoring. The monitoring data is obtained by the internal agent of GuestTools and then pushed to the host by the DHCP service.

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud supports both the DHCP service and QGA of GuestTools to push the monitoring data. QGA is used as an alternative to push monitoring data in case the DHCP service of the default VM network is disabled or fails. This new feature reduces the dependence of internal monitoring on DHCP service, thus covering more business scenarios.

Figure 2. VM Internal Monitoring Pushed by QGA of GuestTools


Supports Reading IP Address Configured in VM through GuestTools

In earlier versions, ZStack Cloud has supported synchronizing NIC configuration. After you specify a NIC IP address, you can deploy the IP address to VM instances through QGA of GuestTools.

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the GuestTools support reading IP addresses. With this feature, IP addresses configured in VM instances can be automatically read and displayed on the Cloud, making it easier for you to perform O&M actions on VM instances such as deploying network services.

Currently, to read an IP address, you need to ensure the following to avoid conflicts:
  • IP address management is disabled for the L3 network that the VM NIC resides on.
  • You have not assigned an IP address for the VM NIC.
Figure 3. Read IP Address Configured in VM Through GuestTools


Supports Mainstream Linux/Windows OS

As of ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, GuestTools for multiple mainstream Linux/Windows operating systems have integrated with QGA and support corresponding extension services, including synchronizing NIC configuration, reading IP addresses configured in VM instances, modifying hostname for running VM instances, and internal monitoring without DHCP service.

Supported operating systems include CentOS 7.2/7.4/7.6/7.9/8.0, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server 7.5, Ubuntu 18.04, Kylin V10 SP1 (0518), Kylin V10 SP2, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12/15, oracle lin Server 12/15, oracle linux 7.9, and Windows Server 2012/2016/2019.

Supports Fast Cloning VM Instance

Adds New Clone Methods: Instant Full Clone and Linked Clone

In earlier versions, the Cloud only supports full cloning. Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, you can clone VM instances by using Instant Full Clone or Linked Clone. These newly supported clone methods provide users with more clone options and help to achieve a convenient business deployment and efficient utilization of storage space.

  • Full Clone: The cloned VM instance is independent of the source VM instance, and the performance is completely unaffected after cloning, but the VM instance starts slow.
  • Instant Full Clone: The cloned VM instance starts quickly, the VM instance is eventually independent of the source VM instance, and the performance is completely unaffected after cloning.
  • Linked Clone: The cloned VM instance starts quickly and saves storage space, but the linked clone VM instances/volumes have a dependency on source VM instances/volumes, and the performance is still affected after cloning.
Figure 1. Instant Full Clone VM Instance


Supports Flattening Resource Snapshots to Achieve Data Independence

ZStack Cloud 4.7.0 adds support for flattening a VM instance/volume.

Flattening refers to merging multiple snapshots of selected resources into one flat snapshot to improve resource performance and data security. By flattening, you can unlink the dependency between linked clone VM instances/volumes and source VM instances/volumes to achieve data independence.

Figure 2. Support Flattening VM Instance


In addition, the Cloud supports predicting capacity occupation after flattening, making it easier for users to plan storage space.

Figure 3. Support Capacity Occupation Prediction


Adds Confirmation Box for Expunging VM Instances to Avoid Accidental Deletion

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, a new input box is added to confirm the VM expunging. Before VM instances are expunged, you need to manually input I want to expunge the VM instances above to confirm you have acknowledged the risks. This will effectively help you avoid accidental deletion of resources, further protecting your data security.

Figure 1. A New Input Box to Confirm the VM Expunging


Cloud Network

Configures Bond on UI

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, you can configure bond on UI. Binding multiple physical NIC ports can help you achieve network high availability or load balancing.

Currently, two Bond modes are supported: Active-backup (mode1) and LACP (mode4).
  • Active-backup: This mode allows you to bind 1-2 physical NIC ports and we recommend that you bind 2 ports, with one acting as the primary port and the other as the secondary port. The primary port handles all network flows by default. When the primary port fails, the secondary port automatically replaces the primary port to handle flows and avoid business interruptions.
  • LACP (Link aggregation control protocol): This mode allows you to bind 1-8 physical NIC ports and we recommend that you bind at least 2 ports. Bound ports share the same speed and duplex setting. Network flows are evenly sent to the bound ports, thus realizing a load balance.
Figure 1. Configure Bond on UI


Cloud Storage

Adds Backup Storage Mount Status Detection and Supports Attaching BS to Current Zone with One Click

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, when a backup storage is not attached to a zone, the Cloud prompts a risk alert and allows you to attach the backup storage to the current zone with one click.

Figure 1. Attach Backup Storage with One Click


Host

Enhancements of Host O&M Management

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud further enhances the host O&M capabilities, facilitating the remote control and full lifecycle management of a host by O&M personnel.

Supports Managing Host IPMI Info through UI

ZStack Cloud 4.7.0 adds support for managing a host through IPMI. When you configure the correct IPMI address, IPMI port, IPMI username, and IPMI password, you can remotely control a host through IPMI.

Figure 1. Modify IPMI Info


Supports Changing Host Power Remotely

When you manage a host via IPMI, the Cloud can obtain the power status of the host and you can perform a lifecycle management on the host, such as powering on/off or rebooting a host.

Supports Entering Web Terminal of Host through UI

ZStack Cloud 4.7.0 begins to support entering the web terminal of a host. When you entered the web terminal, you can perform O&M operations on the host through command lines.

Figure 2. Host Web Terminal


Figure 3. Enter Web Terminal


Platform O&M

Supports Enabling/Disabling Event Alarm

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, you can enable/disable event alarms according to actual business needs.

Figure 1. Support Enabling/Disabling Event Alarm


Enhancements of Log Management

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud adds support for collecting and managing log through UI, which is convenient for O&M personnel to efficiently perform audit analysis and troubleshooting.

Supports Collecting Log in the Specified Time Period and Type with One Click

In earlier versions, you can collect logs through the CTL command. Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, you can collect the log data of various nodes on the Cloud, including management node log, compute node log, backup storage log, primary storage log, VPC vRouter log, database log, operation log, and audit log.

In addition, you can specify the collection time range, including recent 1 day, recent 3 days, recent 5 days, and custom. If you choose custom, you can specify a maximum of 5 days for log collection. The Cloud allows you to collect a maximum of 3 logs. If you need to collect more new logs, you need to delete the collected logs as needed.

Figure 1. Collect Log with One Click


Supports Quick Export of Log File

After you successfully collect a log, you can quickly export a log using the log URL. Before you use the URL to download the log, make sure that the environment used for the download is connected to the management network of the Cloud.

Figure 2. Export Log Through Log URL


Elastic Baremetal Management

Enhancement of Elastic Baremetal Management

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud supports the fast creation of dedicated images for elastic baremetal instances through automatic scripts. The Cloud provides Linux&Windows image transformation scripts, covering all mainstream Linux&Windows operating systems.

Installation and Deployment

Official Release of Helix

In earlier versions, ZStack Cloud released ISO versions based on CentOS, which allows you to install and deploy the Cloud within 30 minutes by running one single command.

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud base has officially changed to Helix, a self-made software. You will continue to enjoy the same installation and deployment process as before and upgrade seamlessly without interrupting your business.

Helix accommodates a variety of hardware, including Intel/AMD, Hygon, Kunpeng, FeiTeng, ShenWei, and Loongson. This makes it suitable for the finance, education, and government sectors, where controllability, stability, security, efficiency, and high performance are essential.

Technically speaking, Helix is a virtualization kernel software that operates between the infrastructure layer and the upper-layer operating systems. It integrates essential components like hardware drivers, macro kernels, and virtual agents, shielding the differences among heterogeneous hardware. This releases operating systems from hardware driver dependencies, ensuring proper access to the heterogeneous hardware on the under layer. By doing so, Helix enhances hardware compatibility, high reliability, high availability, scalability, and performance of your virtual environment.

ZStack Cloud 4.7.0 releases two Helix versions: Helix 7.6c and Helix 7.9c.

Figure 1. Release of h76c/h79c ISO


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