I often get asked about running hypervisors from portable storage devices and in this column, I talk about a method for installing and running XenServer 4.1 from a portable USB hard drive. This is useful if you are testing multiple hypervisor solutions and do not want to multi-boot the hypervisors on local server storage.
Here’s the link to the full article – Installing and Running XenServer 4.1 on an External USB Drive
#1 by Duncan James - October 1st, 2008 at 06:05
Hi Chris
I’ve found your article following a Google search, I’ve downloaded Xen Server 5 Express and installed it to an external HD attached to a HP 6715b laptop, (internal HD removed). I get as far as the XenServer splash screen showing background.png but unable to connect to it using Xen Center. I’ve tried using DHCP and manual IP addressing, but there’s no activity at all from the laptop. Have you ever come across this before?
Thanks
Duncan
#2 by Chris - October 1st, 2008 at 21:30
Hi Duncan,
Unfortunately I would need a lot more information to troubleshoot your specific problem. Also, I would need to validate that my procedures still work on XenServer 5.0. I’m in the midst of quite a bit of travel, but will have some lab time at the end of the month and can see what I can dig up. If you don’t mind waiting a couple of weeks, I can get an answer to you. Of course, if you solve the problem in the mean time, please let me know. Thanks!
#3 by Duncan James - October 4th, 2008 at 02:54
Hi Chris
From reading your website I realise you’re an incredibly busy guy! I think my problem maybe down to hardware incompatibility (Broadcom NIC) I’m just reading up now on how to get a log file from the laptop.
Enjoy your travels!
#4 by JG - May 16th, 2009 at 13:52
Hi there,
I would really appreciate it if you would let me know how to install for Xenserver 5 – I am not that hot at Linux but tried to follow the guide for 4.1 to install 5.0, but had all sort of issues with the boot image part.
Thanks,
JG
#5 by Chris - May 22nd, 2009 at 09:10
Hi JG -
This is on my to-do list, but it may be a few weeks before I have an answer for you. I’ll post an update once I do.
#6 by Trond Eirik Håvarstein - June 19th, 2010 at 07:27
Hi there,
For people loooking for installing of newer version on XenServer could take a look at my blog post.
How To Install XenServer 5.5 on an external USB drive
#7 by Chris - July 8th, 2010 at 07:09
Thanks for posting the updating. I’ve been meaning to put an update online, and am glad you beat me to it.