Implementing Virtualization Deployments - Revision history

Davwats2: 1 revision

2013-05-01T18:21:41Z

1 revision

← Older revision

Revision as of 18:21, 1 May 2013

Daluu: Clarified Disable LRO requirement

2013-04-30T19:43:23Z

Clarified Disable LRO requirement

Davwats2: 1 revision

2013-03-27T13:13:32Z

1 revision

← Older revision

Revision as of 13:13, 27 March 2013

Jarias: /* Fix links to UCS and VMware vSphere tech docs */

2013-03-26T21:14:47Z

Fix links to UCS and VMware vSphere tech docs

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:14, 26 March 2013
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	*Specific installation instructions are available in various UCS documents.<br>		*Specific installation instructions are available in various UCS documents.<br>

-	:*[http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/~~unified_computing~~/~~ucs~~/c/~~sw/os/vmware/install/VMWARE~~-~~esxi~~-~~install~~.html ~~'''How to install ESXi~~ on UCS ~~C-series rack servers''']'''.'''~~	+	:*[http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/virtual/CUCM_BK_CA526319_00_cucm-on-virtualized-servers.html Cisco Unified Communications Manager on Virtual Servers] - for Cisco UC on UCS Tested Reference Configurations
-	:*[http://www.cisco.com/~~en/US/docs/unified_computing~~/ucs~~/sw/b/os/vmware/install/VMWARE-esxi-install.html '''How~~ to ~~install ESXi on~~ UCS B-~~series blade servers'''~~]~~'''.'''~~	+	:*[http://www.cisco.com/go/ucs Home page to get to Cisco UCS B-Series and UCS C-Series technical documentation]
-	:*[http://www.vmware.com/~~pdf~~/~~vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esxi_i_get_start.pdf '''General instructions for installing and configuring~~ ESXi ~~and the vSphere Client'''~~]~~'''.'''~~	+	:*[http://www.vmware.com/go/vsphere Home page to get to VMware vSphere ESXi technical documentation]
		+	<br>
		+

	=== vCenter Requirements ===		=== vCenter Requirements ===
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	vCenter is used to manage and monitor ESXi servers. It collects and logs performance information for all virtual machines and ESXi hosts under its control. Cisco requires the use of vCenter to manage any specs-based deployments of virtualized UC. If you are deploying a TRC configuration, it is very highly recommended to use vCenter, because it can be extremely beneficial in debugging problems, however, it is not required.		vCenter is used to manage and monitor ESXi servers. It collects and logs performance information for all virtual machines and ESXi hosts under its control. Cisco requires the use of vCenter to manage any specs-based deployments of virtualized UC. If you are deploying a TRC configuration, it is very highly recommended to use vCenter, because it can be extremely beneficial in debugging problems, however, it is not required.

-	If you want to deploy vCenter it is important to note that the free version of ESXi, the vSphere hypervisor, does not allow the host to be managed by vCenter. See [http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf '''Information on vCenter installation'''].	+	If you want to deploy vCenter it is important to note that the free version of ESXi, the vSphere hypervisor, does not allow the host to be managed by vCenter. See [http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf '''Information on vCenter installation'''] and [http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-server/overview.html home page to get to VMware vCenter Server technical documentation].

	= Supported Applications and Deploying the OVA templates =		= Supported Applications and Deploying the OVA templates =
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	#An external (stratum 5 or better) NTP server is required and must be accessible. Using local hardware clock is not an option.		#An external (stratum 5 or better) NTP server is required and must be accessible. Using local hardware clock is not an option.
	#NIC speed/duplex settings are not available, as these are inherited from the ESXi host.		#NIC speed/duplex settings are not available, as these are inherited from the ESXi host.
-	#If your installation fails, and you need to collect the install logs, [http://docwiki.cisco.com/~~wiki~~/~~How_to_Dump_Install_Logs_to_the_Serial_Port_of_the_Virtual_Machine~~ '''collection must be done through the serial port of the virtual machine'''].	+	#If your installation fails, and you need to collect the install logs, [http://docwiki-dev.cisco.com/w/index.php?title=How_To_Dump_Logs_to_Serial_Port '''collection must be done through the serial port of the virtual machine'''].
-	#The [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/~~How_to_Use_the_AFG_with_the_Virtual_Floppy_Drive~~ '''Auto Answer File (AFG) must be used through the virtual floppy drive'''].	+	#The [http://docwiki-dev.cisco.com/wiki/AFG_with_virtual_floppy '''Auto Answer File (AFG) must be used through the virtual floppy drive'''].
	#After installation, if the viClient shows VMware Tools Out of Date, you will need to [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/VMware_Tools '''upgrade VMware Tool'''s].		#After installation, if the viClient shows VMware Tools Out of Date, you will need to [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/VMware_Tools '''upgrade VMware Tool'''s].

Jkratky: /* Installing UC Applications in the VM */

2011-11-17T23:42:48Z

Installing UC Applications in the VM

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:42, 17 November 2011
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	#NIC speed/duplex settings are not available, as these are inherited from the ESXi host.		#NIC speed/duplex settings are not available, as these are inherited from the ESXi host.
	#If your installation fails, and you need to collect the install logs, [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/How_to_Dump_Install_Logs_to_the_Serial_Port_of_the_Virtual_Machine '''collection must be done through the serial port of the virtual machine'''].		#If your installation fails, and you need to collect the install logs, [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/How_to_Dump_Install_Logs_to_the_Serial_Port_of_the_Virtual_Machine '''collection must be done through the serial port of the virtual machine'''].
-	#The [http://docwiki~~-dev~~.cisco.com/wiki/~~AFG_with_virtual_floppy~~ '''Auto Answer File (AFG) must be used through the virtual floppy drive'''].	+	#The [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/How_to_Use_the_AFG_with_the_Virtual_Floppy_Drive '''Auto Answer File (AFG) must be used through the virtual floppy drive'''].
	#After installation, if the viClient shows VMware Tools Out of Date, you will need to [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/VMware_Tools '''upgrade VMware Tool'''s].		#After installation, if the viClient shows VMware Tools Out of Date, you will need to [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/VMware_Tools '''upgrade VMware Tool'''s].

Jkratky: /* Installing UC Applications in the VM */

2011-11-17T23:41:11Z

Installing UC Applications in the VM

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:41, 17 November 2011
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	#An external (stratum 5 or better) NTP server is required and must be accessible. Using local hardware clock is not an option.		#An external (stratum 5 or better) NTP server is required and must be accessible. Using local hardware clock is not an option.
	#NIC speed/duplex settings are not available, as these are inherited from the ESXi host.		#NIC speed/duplex settings are not available, as these are inherited from the ESXi host.
-	#If your installation fails, and you need to collect the install logs, [http://docwiki~~-dev~~.cisco.com/w/~~index.php?title=How_To_Dump_Logs_to_Serial_Port~~ '''collection must be done through the serial port of the virtual machine'''].	+	#If your installation fails, and you need to collect the install logs, [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/How_to_Dump_Install_Logs_to_the_Serial_Port_of_the_Virtual_Machine '''collection must be done through the serial port of the virtual machine'''].
	#The [http://docwiki-dev.cisco.com/wiki/AFG_with_virtual_floppy '''Auto Answer File (AFG) must be used through the virtual floppy drive'''].		#The [http://docwiki-dev.cisco.com/wiki/AFG_with_virtual_floppy '''Auto Answer File (AFG) must be used through the virtual floppy drive'''].
-	#After installation, if the viClient shows VMware Tools Out of Date, you will need to [http://docwiki~~-dev~~.cisco.com/wiki/VMware_Tools '''upgrade VMware Tool'''s].	+	#After installation, if the viClient shows VMware Tools Out of Date, you will need to [http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/VMware_Tools '''upgrade VMware Tool'''s].

	== Differences When Running UC in a Virtual Environment ==		== Differences When Running UC in a Virtual Environment ==

Cchetty: 1 revision

2011-08-22T18:37:42Z

1 revision

← Older revision

Revision as of 18:37, 22 August 2011

Jimbryan at 22:49, 12 August 2011

2011-08-12T22:49:21Z

Cchetty: /* Differences When Running UC in a Virtual Environment */

2011-06-07T21:25:14Z

Differences When Running UC in a Virtual Environment

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 7 June 2011
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	*[[How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine\|'''How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine''']]		*[[How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine\|'''How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine''']]
	*[[How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive\|'''How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive''']]		*[[How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive\|'''How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive''']]
-	*'''[[VMware Tools ~~Information~~]]'''	+	*'''[[VMware Tools]]'''
	*BIOS boot order: read the Release Notes for the OVA that you are deploying for instructions on how to set the BIOS boot order.<br>		*BIOS boot order: read the Release Notes for the OVA that you are deploying for instructions on how to set the BIOS boot order.<br>

Cchetty: /* Differences When Running UC in a Virtual Environment */

2011-06-07T21:25:03Z

Differences When Running UC in a Virtual Environment

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 7 June 2011
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	*[[How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine\|'''How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine''']]		*[[How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine\|'''How to Dump Install Logs to the Serial Port of the Virtual Machine''']]
	*[[How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive\|'''How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive''']]		*[[How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive\|'''How to Use the AFG with the Virtual Floppy Drive''']]
-	*~~[http://docwiki-dev.cisco.com/wiki/VMware_Tools~~ '''VMware Tools Information''']	+	*'''[[VMware Tools Information]]'''
	*BIOS boot order: read the Release Notes for the OVA that you are deploying for instructions on how to set the BIOS boot order.<br>		*BIOS boot order: read the Release Notes for the OVA that you are deploying for instructions on how to set the BIOS boot order.<br>

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:43, 30 April 2013
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-	'''Go to:''' [[Guidelines to Edit UC Virtualization Pages\|'''Guidelines to Edit UC Virtualization Pages''']]<br>	+	'''Go to:''' [[Guidelines to Edit UC Virtualization Pages\|'''Guidelines to Edit UC Virtualization Pages''']]<br>

	----		----

-	<br>	+	<br>

	This wiki space contains information to install and configure a virtualized UC deployment. It assumes the specific UC deployment has been designed; all hardware, software, and licenses have been procured; and you are ready to deploy the solution. See [[Before You Buy or Deploy - Considerations for Design and Procurement\|'''Before You Buy or Deploy - Considerations for Design and Procurement''']] for information and considerations in designing and procuring a virtualized UC solution. See [[Ongoing Virtualization Operations and Maintenance\|'''Ongoing Virtualization Operations and Maintenance''']].		This wiki space contains information to install and configure a virtualized UC deployment. It assumes the specific UC deployment has been designed; all hardware, software, and licenses have been procured; and you are ready to deploy the solution. See [[Before You Buy or Deploy - Considerations for Design and Procurement\|'''Before You Buy or Deploy - Considerations for Design and Procurement''']] for information and considerations in designing and procuring a virtualized UC solution. See [[Ongoing Virtualization Operations and Maintenance\|'''Ongoing Virtualization Operations and Maintenance''']].
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	The Unified Communications (UC) applications from Cisco are supported when running in a virtual environment only when the virtual environment meets the specifications in this web page. Deviations from these specifications result in an unsupported deployment. Running real-time applications in a virtual environment requires more constraints than typical non-real time applications. All those constraints are listed in this web page.		The Unified Communications (UC) applications from Cisco are supported when running in a virtual environment only when the virtual environment meets the specifications in this web page. Deviations from these specifications result in an unsupported deployment. Running real-time applications in a virtual environment requires more constraints than typical non-real time applications. All those constraints are listed in this web page.

-	When running UC on a virtualized platform, installation, configuration, upgrading and monitoring of the hardware and VMware software must be done manually. The "appliance model" of UC on bare metal does not apply when the UC applications are running virtualized. There are four distinct Layers to configure and manage when running UC virtualized. Each of these is addressed below:<br>	+	When running UC on a virtualized platform, installation, configuration, upgrading and monitoring of the hardware and VMware software must be done manually. The "appliance model" of UC on bare metal does not apply when the UC applications are running virtualized. There are four distinct Layers to configure and manage when running UC virtualized. Each of these is addressed below:<br>

	= Configuring Hardware Platforms =		= Configuring Hardware Platforms =
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	After hardware configuration is complete, VMware vSphere ESXi must be installed. The term ''host ''is used to refer to a hardware platform running virtualization software. The virtualization DocWiki pages use this term.		After hardware configuration is complete, VMware vSphere ESXi must be installed. The term ''host ''is used to refer to a hardware platform running virtualization software. The virtualization DocWiki pages use this term.

-	{{ Note \| If you are running ESXi 4.1 or ~~Later~~, you must [[Disable LRO \| '''Disable LRO''']] }}	+	{{ Note \| If you are running ESXi 4.1 or later, depending on the UC application product version (VOS/ Linux version) you must [[Disable LRO \| '''Disable LRO''']] }}

	*The ''ONLY'' supported virtualization software is '''VMware vSphere ESXi'''. See [[Unified Communications VMware Requirements\|'''Unified Communications VMware Requirements''']] for more information.		*The ''ONLY'' supported virtualization software is '''VMware vSphere ESXi'''. See [[Unified Communications VMware Requirements\|'''Unified Communications VMware Requirements''']] for more information.
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	*Specific installation instructions are available in various UCS documents.<br>		*Specific installation instructions are available in various UCS documents.<br>

-	:*[http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/virtual/CUCM_BK_CA526319_00_cucm-on-virtualized-servers.html Cisco Unified Communications Manager on Virtual Servers] - for Cisco UC on UCS Tested Reference Configurations	+	:*[http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/virtual/CUCM_BK_CA526319_00_cucm-on-virtualized-servers.html Cisco Unified Communications Manager on Virtual Servers] - for Cisco UC on UCS Tested Reference Configurations
-	:*[http://www.cisco.com/go/ucs Home page to get to Cisco UCS B-Series and UCS C-Series technical documentation]	+	:*[http://www.cisco.com/go/ucs Home page to get to Cisco UCS B-Series and UCS C-Series technical documentation]
	:*[http://www.vmware.com/go/vsphere Home page to get to VMware vSphere ESXi technical documentation]		:*[http://www.vmware.com/go/vsphere Home page to get to VMware vSphere ESXi technical documentation]
		+
	<br>		<br>

		+	<br>

	=== vCenter Requirements ===		=== vCenter Requirements ===
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	vCenter is used to manage and monitor ESXi servers. It collects and logs performance information for all virtual machines and ESXi hosts under its control. Cisco requires the use of vCenter to manage any specs-based deployments of virtualized UC. If you are deploying a TRC configuration, it is very highly recommended to use vCenter, because it can be extremely beneficial in debugging problems, however, it is not required.		vCenter is used to manage and monitor ESXi servers. It collects and logs performance information for all virtual machines and ESXi hosts under its control. Cisco requires the use of vCenter to manage any specs-based deployments of virtualized UC. If you are deploying a TRC configuration, it is very highly recommended to use vCenter, because it can be extremely beneficial in debugging problems, however, it is not required.

-	If you want to deploy vCenter it is important to note that the free version of ESXi, the vSphere hypervisor, does not allow the host to be managed by vCenter. See [http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf '''Information on vCenter installation'''] and [http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-server/overview.html home page to get to VMware vCenter Server technical documentation].	+	If you want to deploy vCenter it is important to note that the free version of ESXi, the vSphere hypervisor, does not allow the host to be managed by vCenter. See [http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf '''Information on vCenter installation'''] and [http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-server/overview.html home page to get to VMware vCenter Server technical documentation].

	= Supported Applications and Deploying the OVA templates =		= Supported Applications and Deploying the OVA templates =
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	The first step is to create the virtual machine(s) on the host. Cisco requires that Cisco-generated OVA templates be used to create the virtual machines to run the UC applications. These OVA templates contain aligned disk partitions and other specific configurations that are required.		The first step is to create the virtual machine(s) on the host. Cisco requires that Cisco-generated OVA templates be used to create the virtual machines to run the UC applications. These OVA templates contain aligned disk partitions and other specific configurations that are required.

-	See [[Unified Communications Virtualization Downloads (including OVA/OVF Templates)]] for a list of UC applications along with their corresponding software release (running virtualized). Each application also provides a link to their respective OVA templates.<br>	+	See [[Unified Communications Virtualization Downloads (including OVA/OVF Templates)]] for a list of UC applications along with their corresponding software release (running virtualized). Each application also provides a link to their respective OVA templates.<br>

	= Installing UC Applications in the VM =		= Installing UC Applications in the VM =
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	== VM Deployment Density ==		== VM Deployment Density ==

-	How many and what combination of virtual machines can be run on an ESXi host? See [[Unified Communications Virtualization Sizing Guidelines\|'''Unified Communications Virtualization Sizing Guidelines''']] for more information.<br>	+	How many and what combination of virtual machines can be run on an ESXi host? See [[Unified Communications Virtualization Sizing Guidelines\|'''Unified Communications Virtualization Sizing Guidelines''']] for more information.<br>

	== VMware Feature Support ==		== VMware Feature Support ==

-	Not all VMware vSphere features are supported, and some are supported only with restrictions. See [[Unified Communications VMware Requirements\|'''Unified Communications VMware Requirements''']] for more information on VMware vSphere feature support and virtualized UC applications.<br>	+	Not all VMware vSphere features are supported, and some are supported only with restrictions. See [[Unified Communications VMware Requirements\|'''Unified Communications VMware Requirements''']] for more information on VMware vSphere feature support and virtualized UC applications.<br>

-	{\| ~~border~~="1" ~~class~~="~~wikitable~~"	+	{\| class="wikitable" border="1"
	\|-		\|-
-	! style="background-color: rgb(255, 215, 0);" \| '''Back to:''' [[Unified Communications in a Virtualized Environment\|Unified Communications in a Virtualized Environment]]	+	! style="background-color: rgb(255,215,0)" \| '''Back to:''' [[Unified Communications in a Virtualized Environment\|Unified Communications in a Virtualized Environment]]
	\|}		\|}

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 12 August 2011
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	{{note\| Hardware configuration, including raid configuration, BIOS settings, firmware upgrades/configuration and monitoring of hardware health is ''not ''done by the UC applications when running virtualized, regardless of the hardware platform.}}		{{note\| Hardware configuration, including raid configuration, BIOS settings, firmware upgrades/configuration and monitoring of hardware health is ''not ''done by the UC applications when running virtualized, regardless of the hardware platform.}}
		+
		+	{{note\| Cisco supports the use of VMware EVC mode at the "Intel Xeon Core I7" level or higher. This allows configuring ESXi clusters with hosts with "Nehalem/Core I7" and newer CPU models. Intel Xeon Core I7/Nehalem processor and subsequent generations of the Xeon processors are the only processors supported for running UC virtualized.}}

	There are two types of supported hardware platforms:		There are two types of supported hardware platforms:
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	*If you are deploying on a TRC, see [[Tested Reference Configurations (TRC)\|'''Tested Reference Configurations (TRC)''']] for specific information on how to configure your server.		*If you are deploying on a TRC, see [[Tested Reference Configurations (TRC)\|'''Tested Reference Configurations (TRC)''']] for specific information on how to configure your server.
	*Otherwise, configure your hardware according to the [[Specification-Based Hardware Support\|'''Specification Based Hardware Support (Specs-Based)''']] page.		*Otherwise, configure your hardware according to the [[Specification-Based Hardware Support\|'''Specification Based Hardware Support (Specs-Based)''']] page.
-		+
-	For ANY virtualized UC deployment there are requirements for performance of the disk storage subsystem. Cisco TRC's that use local disk storage (DAS) for virtual machines are pre-engineered to meet these requirements. For ANY other virtualized UC deployment using DAS storage or SAN storage, click here for requirements.	+	For ANY virtualized UC deployment there are requirements for performance of the disk storage subsystem. Cisco TRC's that use local disk storage (DAS) for virtual machines are pre-engineered to meet these requirements. For ANY other virtualized UC deployment using DAS storage or SAN storage, click here for requirements.

	= Installing and configuring the ESXi Virtualization Software =		= Installing and configuring the ESXi Virtualization Software =
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	vCenter is used to manage and monitor ESXi servers. It collects and logs performance information for all virtual machines and ESXi hosts under its control. Cisco requires the use of vCenter to manage any specs-based deployments of virtualized UC. If you are deploying a TRC configuration, it is very highly recommended to use vCenter, because it can be extremely beneficial in debugging problems, however, it is not required.		vCenter is used to manage and monitor ESXi servers. It collects and logs performance information for all virtual machines and ESXi hosts under its control. Cisco requires the use of vCenter to manage any specs-based deployments of virtualized UC. If you are deploying a TRC configuration, it is very highly recommended to use vCenter, because it can be extremely beneficial in debugging problems, however, it is not required.

-	If you want to deploy vCenter it is important to note that the free version of ESXi, the vSphere hypervisor, does not allow the host to be managed by vCenter. See [http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf '''Information on vCenter installation'''].	+	If you want to deploy vCenter it is important to note that the free version of ESXi, the vSphere hypervisor, does not allow the host to be managed by vCenter. See [http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf '''Information on vCenter installation'''].

	= Supported Applications and Deploying the OVA templates =		= Supported Applications and Deploying the OVA templates =
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	The first step is to create the virtual machine(s) on the host. Cisco requires that Cisco-generated OVA templates be used to create the virtual machines to run the UC applications. These OVA templates contain aligned disk partitions and other specific configurations that are required.		The first step is to create the virtual machine(s) on the host. Cisco requires that Cisco-generated OVA templates be used to create the virtual machines to run the UC applications. These OVA templates contain aligned disk partitions and other specific configurations that are required.

-	See [[Unified Communications Virtualization Downloads (including OVA/OVF Templates)]] for a list of UC applications along with their corresponding software release (running virtualized). Each application also provides a link to their respective OVA templates.	+	See [[Unified Communications Virtualization Downloads (including OVA/OVF Templates)]] for a list of UC applications along with their corresponding software release (running virtualized). Each application also provides a link to their respective OVA templates.<br>

	= Installing UC Applications in the VM =		= Installing UC Applications in the VM =