ZStack Cloud 4.7.0

On June 30, 2023, ZStack Cloud officially released its latest version, ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, covering a number of important features described in detail below.

Highlights

Enhancements of GuestTools: You can use the GuestTools to modify the hostname for running VM instances, read IP addresses configured in VM instances, and push internal monitoring data by QGA.
Support for Fast Cloning VM Instance: In addition to full cloning, now you can clone VM instances by using Instant Full Clone or Linked Clone. You can also flatten resource snapshots to achieve data independence.
Enhancements of Host O&M Management: You can manage host IPMI info through UI, change host power remotely, and enter the host web terminal through UI.

Overview

VM Instance

Enhancements of VM HA Policy.
1. HA support for business networks.
2. Optimization of HA policy display.
Enhancements of GuestTools.
1. Supports modifying VM hostname through GuestTools.
2. Supports VM internal monitoring by QGA of GuestTools.
3. Supports reading IP addresses configured in VM through GuestTools.
4. Supports mainstream Linux/Windows OS.
Supports fast cloning VM instance.
1. Adds new clone methods: Instant Full Clone and Linked Clone.
2. Supports flattening resource snapshots to achieve data independence.
Adds confirmation box for expunging VM instances to avoid accidental deletion.

Cloud Network

Configures Bond on UI.

Cloud Storage

Adds backup storage mount status detection and supports attaching BS to the current zone with one click.

Host

Enhancements of host O&M management.
1. Supports managing host IPMI info through UI.
2. Supports changing host power remotely.
3. Supports entering the host web terminal through UI.

Platform O&M

Supports enabling/disabling event alarm.
Enhancements of log management.
1. Supports collecting log in the specified time period and type with one click.
2. Supports quick export of log file.

Elastic Baremetal Management

Enhancement of elastic baremetal management.

Installation and Deployment

Official release of Helix.

VM Instance

Enhancements of VM HA Policy

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud supports configuring HA policies for business networks of VM instances, thus covering all mainstream HA scenarios. Furthermore, the Cloud provides a visualized table that allows you to configure VM failover strategies. This feature enables you to configure HA policies flexibly while ensuring business stability and continuity.

HA Support for Business Networks

In earlier versions, ZStack Cloud has supported setting the HA mode of VM instances to None or NeverStop.

None: VM instances will not auto restart when stopped.
NeverStop: VM instances scheduled or unexpectedly stopped will auto start.

Besides, ZStack Cloud supports inspecting the connectivity status of management networks and storage networks. If the HA policy is set to Force and the HA mode is set to NeverStop, VM instances will HA migrate and restart in case of storage network failure.

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud supports inspecting the business NIC status. If you set the corresponding failover strategy to Yes, VM instances will HA migrate and restart if the business NIC fails. Currently, this feature only supports VM instances using L2NoVlanNetwork/L2VlanNetwork that employs the standard network acceleration mode.

Figure 3. Business NIC of Host A Turns Down

Figure 4. VM Instances Migrate to Host B

Optimization of HA Policy Display

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud allows you to enable/disable the HA policy for all VM instances on the cloud with one click. If you enable the HA policy, you can then configure the failover strategies for VM instances simply by editing a truth table. The failover strategies cover abnormal scenarios concerning the management network connectivity status, storage network connectivity status, and business NIC status.

Besides, the Cloud brings together all global settings concerning VM HA and displays them on a single page. Now you can globally customize VM HA policies more conveniently.

Figure 6. Advanced Settings of VM HA Policy

Enhancements of GuestTools

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, GuestTools supports the following new functions:

Supports Modifying VM Hostname through GuestTools

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, you can modify the hostname on UI. If the VM is running and is installed with the latest GuestTools, the hostname is deployed by the GuestTools and takes effect immediately.

If the VM instance is not running or does not have the latest GuestTools installed, the hostname is deployed by the DHCP service and takes effect after you restart the VM instance.

Supports VM Internal Monitoring by QGA of GuestTools

In earlier versions, ZStack Cloud has supported VM internal monitoring. The monitoring data is obtained by the internal agent of GuestTools and then pushed to the host by the DHCP service.

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the Cloud supports both the DHCP service and QGA of GuestTools to push the monitoring data. QGA is used as an alternative to push monitoring data in case the DHCP service of the default VM network is disabled or fails. This new feature reduces the dependence of internal monitoring on DHCP service, thus covering more business scenarios.

Figure 2. VM Internal Monitoring Pushed by QGA of GuestTools

Supports Reading IP Address Configured in VM through GuestTools

In earlier versions, ZStack Cloud has supported synchronizing NIC configuration. After you specify a NIC IP address, you can deploy the IP address to VM instances through QGA of GuestTools.

Starting from ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, the GuestTools support reading IP addresses. With this feature, IP addresses configured in VM instances can be automatically read and displayed on the Cloud, making it easier for you to perform O&M actions on VM instances such as deploying network services.

Currently, to read an IP address, you need to ensure the following to avoid conflicts:

IP address management is disabled for the L3 network that the VM NIC resides on.
You have not assigned an IP address for the VM NIC.

Figure 3. Read IP Address Configured in VM Through GuestTools

Supports Mainstream Linux/Windows OS

As of ZStack Cloud 4.7.0, GuestTools for multiple mainstream Linux/Windows operating systems have integrated with QGA and support corresponding extension services, including synchronizing NIC configuration, reading IP addresses configured in VM instances, modifying hostname for running VM instances, and internal monitoring without DHCP service.

Supported operating systems include CentOS 7.2/7.4/7.6/7.9/8.0, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server 7.5, Ubuntu 18.04, Kylin V10 SP1 (0518), Kylin V10 SP2, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12/15, oracle lin Server 12/15, oracle linux 7.9, and Windows Server 2012/2016/2019.