Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » virtual machines http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog Web Hosting Industry News, Latest Trends, and Analyses. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Using VMware to Operate Multiple FTP Accounts Simultaneouslyhttp://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/23/using-vmware-to-operate-multiple-ftp-accounts-simultaneously/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/23/using-vmware-to-operate-multiple-ftp-accounts-simultaneously/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:24:16 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=971 When you own a large website, or several websites, one of the ways you can minimize the time and effort involved with uploading files to your site is to use an FTP client. This kind of software can upload multiple files to your website in very large batches, thus making it easier for you to upload  massive directories with the click of a button. Once you have the files created and organized properly, you can then use an FTP client like FileZilla to upload the files to your site. Using an FTP client is very simple, and it facilitates the process of site management and development without the need for individual file uploading.

The Limitations of an FTP Client

Unfortunately FTP clients are limited in what they can do, as far as uploading files to multiple sites at the same time. For those that own several websites, and need to upload many files to multiple sites simultaneously, using a single install of an FTP client is simply not an option. Thus, you either need several different FTP clients, or you need to use a visualization solution, in which you have several operating systems running on the same computer. This can be done with ease using a program called VMware.

The Freedom of VMware

As mentioned, VMware lets you have multiple operating systems on the same computer, which is useful for a variety of reasons. One of the ways you can use this to your advantage in regards to maximizing productivity is to have several virtual machines installed which are all running different installs of your FTP client. This solution is optimal for online business owners that operate many websites, and would like to reduce the amount of time spent uploading files to their sites. VMware separates each operating system, so that they are completely independent and do not share any system files. Thus, you can have one operating system infected with 10 viruses, while the your main operating system is not affected whatsoever.

How to Use VMware to Run FTP Clients Simultaneously

To run several installs of the same FTP client you’ll need to install several operating system. Since this can be quite expensive for the average site owner, this method is not recommended for novice users or those that are on a limited budget. However, for those that are in need of a solution to manage 50-100 or even hundreds of websites, this is a perfect solution. Keep in mind that having several operating systems installed and running on your machine at the same time can be somewhat taxing on system resources, so a computer with more than 8 GB of RAM is recommended. Once the operating systems are installed, simply run the FTP clients as you would in a single OS, and schedule them each to execute tasks simultaneously. At this point you can walk away or do something else with your computer, as the rest of the task will be completed by the numerous operating systems running on your machine.

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]]> http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2010/06/23/using-vmware-to-operate-multiple-ftp-accounts-simultaneously/feed/ 0 How Secure is Virtualization Technology?http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/10/14/how-secure-is-virtualization-technology/ http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/2009/10/14/how-secure-is-virtualization-technology/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:22:30 +0000 Art http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/?p=573 A September 2009 survey released by Centrify revealed that the major barrier facing 46% of the respondents when it comes to adopting virtualization is security. In fact, only an estimated 20% of respondents said they were strongly confident in the security infrastructure of their virtualized environments. Professionals heavy into the technology sector are well aware of the security conundrum that surrounds virtualization. It has become such an issue that EMC recently assembled a panel of experts from its Ionix, RSA and Vmware divisions to put together some guidelines for adequately securing virtualized environments. What they came up with was “Security Compliance in a Virtual World,” a report that focuses on many key points that must be considered for ensuring virtualization security.

OS Hardening

The configuration for virtual machines and switches must be hardened just like your physical boxes and network switches. The underlying operating system must also be hardened through routine patches and updates, removal of unused components and maintaining secure settings. The EMC report suggests modeling virtual systems after the guidelines from the CIS (Center for Internet Security) and DISA (Defense Information Systems Agency) as they are viewed as well established security practices.

Configuration and Change Management

Since virtualization technology makes it simple to deploy new virtual machines and modify their set ups, it becomes very easy to fall into a chaotic state of configuration when it comes time to managing the environment. Even when systems are adequately hardened during installation, it is still important for organizations to stay on top of the environment to ensure a secure configuration. This means that when system settings are modified or new software applications are added, administrators are making sure the virtual system continues to meet what the EMA report calls the “gold standard” of configuration.

Access Control

Practical security polices such as least privilege and separation of duty should not be thrown to the wayside just because virtualization has come into the picture. Instead, such principles should become more essential than ever. The presence of virtualization results in increased density of all the systems and applications on your server. This is more convenient for your organization as well as the intruder who may be able to manipulate these systems if proper access control is not enforced and maintained. The report suggests that solution providers aid their staff and clients in understanding the importance of role-based access control both in and out of the virtual environment.

Network Security and Segmentation

Companies operating virtual servers lacking any sort of segmentation are far more vulnerable to exploit and exposure than organizations making use of virtual switches to incorporate those virtual machines into virtual local area networks like their physical counterparts. The security report explains that one of the most essential factors in compliance is ensuring that data is isolated and not mingled with or available to users on other virtual machines. Organizations that possess expertise in the network security field should put it to use in the virtualization environment. This can be done by obtaining virtual switches and other virtual security mechanisms such as firewalls and intrusion protection systems to protect network perimeters.

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