I recently had a need to test SME server and decided to virtualize it. However I found XenServer did not have a suitable template. When I chose "Other Install Media" template, it chooses a HVM layer and I cannot even correctly shut down the VM using XenCenter.
I am not a linux guru so there are some stupid choices below. Anyway this worked for me.
Here's what I did to install this in XenServer and disable the RAID mode.
1. I needed a HTTP server for the install. I had a spare CentOS server. I copied the contents of SME server CD under apache folders under a subdirectory sme. So my install media was now available at http://<centos-server-ip>/sme
2. I modified isolinux/isolinux.cfg file and added noraid on all lines that start with 'append'. This was to disable Raid mode else SME server used raid 1. In XenServer raid did not make sense to me.
3. I chose 'Redhat Enterprise Linux 4.7' template and added noraid to the beginning of 'Advanced Boot parameters'. Also specified boot path to http://<centos-server-ip>/sme
4. Start the VM installation. The only problem is that the display looks funny. I suspect this has something to do with utf8 option in boot parameters on Redhat. Still I was able to make sense of all options.
5. Don't bother installing XenServer tools. That does not works. Still i am able to use the xen kernel correctly and the shutdown/restart etc works.
6. All done! Your PV enabled SME server is ready.
This is probably not the best way to install SME 7.4 on XenServer. But so far this is the only way I have found. Hope someone will expand this thread and suggest a better way.
Did I tell you, now I made a template out of the install so I can test with a clean machine in 2 minutes! Cool eh.
Enjoy
- Jack
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