Introduction

A reference architecture is a set of blueprints, best practices, standards and recommendations used to design and implement systems. Reference architectures are used in information technology and enterprise architecture to serve as templates for common architecture principles, patterns and building blocks.

Why a Reference Architecture?#

As private cloud and enterprise technology grows steadily more complex, so does the importance of access to reliable and proven methodologies and best practices relating to these systems.

A reference architecture anticipates input from IT professionals, project managers and enterprise architects, and answers, the most common questions that arise. Reference Architectures thereby help teams anticipate problems to avoid delays and errors that could occur without access to these guidelines and best practices.

VM Squared as a Reference Architecture#

VM Squared reference architecture is offered as an example of the deployment and configuration of VM Squared and surrounding infrastructure.

VM Squared provides efficient and timely VM hosting services, but it is not all-powerful. VM Squared relies on the servers it will be installed on and their surrounding infrastructure. Successful outcomes are achieved not by rushing in, but by careful selection and preparation before deploying the system.

VM Squared Reference Architecture comes into play here, by anticipating potential pitfalls and setting up systems for success.

This Reference Architecture is not the only way to deploy VM Squared but it highlights recommended and supported platform and deployment criteria.

Target audience for the Reference Architecture includes the following groups:

• Infrastructure and enterprise architects who design private cloud solutions.
• IT professionals and engineers who implement private cloud environments.
• Security professionals who provide suitable access and controls.
• Project managers who view the steps involved in standup of private cloud.
• Executive and IT decision makers interested in achieving the fastest time to value.

Goals and Outcomes#

VM Squared Reference Architecture offers a supported blueprint for VM Squared deployments and provides an on-rails walkthrough for first-time users.

The model for this Reference Architecture is of a VM Squared deployed hosting applications in a typical private Cloud VM hosting scenario.

Sections of the Reference Architecture#

The Reference Architecture is broken into the following section which are intended to be read in the following order.

Pre-requisites and planning#

Planning deals with the selection and preparation of suitable hardware and environmental items. Planning includes the following sections:

Implementation#

Implementation deals with the VM Squared software installation process and walks the reader through a typical multi-tenant deployment.

The implementation is broken down into the following sections: