1. IBM Systems and Technology
Data Sheet
IBM Starter Kit for Cloud
x86 Edition
Robust cloud software stack for System x with
self-service, automation and simplified management
Reliable, secure and easy-to-use
Highlights IBM Starter Kit for Cloud x86 Edition is an entry-level software offering
that takes your virtualized environment from “cloud-ready” to “cloud.”
● Cloud software stack delivers fast time
Users can request and provision an environment quickly through an
to value
easy-to-use web-based interface. IT managers can monitor and manage
● Simple- to-deploy, easy-to-use, works this environment for improved efficiency and utilization of the
with existing infrastructure
data center. IBM Starter Kit for Cloud x86 Edition works with the
● Easily integrates with BladeCenter IBM® BladeCenter® Foundation for Cloud virtualization platform in
Foundation for Cloud addition to select IBM System x® and BladeCenter servers.
● Optimizes the data center with increased
automation, structured security,
comprehensive management, and
Starter Kit capabilities
resource sharing Create images: Simplify storage of thousands of images
● Scales to improve quality and meet ● Easily create new ‘golden master’ images and software appliances using
demand for continuous availability
corporate standard operating systems
● Offers metering tools to develop usage ● Convert images from physical systems or between various
and billing models to track ROI
x86 hypervisors
● Reliably track images to ensure compliance and minimize security risks
● Optimize resources, reducing the number of virtualized images and the
storage required for them
Deploy VMs: Slash time to value for new workloads from months to a
few days
● Deploy application images across compute and storage resources
● End user self-service for improved responsiveness
● Ensure security through VM isolation, project-level user access controls
● Easy to use – no need to know all the details of the infrastructure

2. IBM Systems and Technology
Data Sheet
● Investment protection from full support of existing Configure workload to host
virtualized environments
Configure workload targets to system pool
● Optimize performance on IBM systems with dynamic scaling,
Configure Virtual Appliance Parameters
expansive capacity and continuous operation
Register Virtual Appliance for User Selection
Operate a private cloud: Cut costs with efficient operations Approve/Reject New Workload Requests
Approve/Reject Workload Resize Requests
● Delegate provisioning to authorized users to Configure Billing
improve productivity
Charging accounts, account assignment
● Maintain full oversight to ensure an optimally running and
Configure approvals
safe Cloud through automated approval/rejection
● Standardize deployment and configuration to improve Configure Metering
compliance and reduce errors by setting policies, defaults Configure to generate metering records
and templates Create & Manage Projects
● Simplify administration with an intuitive interface for manag- Add users as admin, deployer, viewer
ing projects, users, workloads, resources, billing, approvals
Create Users
and metering
Configure Network Pools
Configure LDAP environment
Detailed List of Functions
Cloud Configuration to VMControl (Power)
Request access to a project Manual Intervention
Request CFS access from login panel Review event logs & failures
Request workload creation – appliance deploy Workload movement
Set user instance parameters (CPU, memory)
Table 2: IT Administrator Functions
Resize Running Workloads
Delete a Workload
Add/remove additional disks Subscriber Level – End User Self Service Interface
Clone a workload Cloud Admin User Interface
Start/Stop a workload Isolation of resources and users through projects/workspace
Review workload properties Approval Policies for workload deployment & resize
Add additional disk Basic Billing, metering and audit
Set disk size Supports underlying virtualization management features
Support enterprise features of virtual system management
Table 1: Departmental User Functions Storage pools, system pools, network config, placement optimization
Support Systems Director and VMC for platform management
2

3. IBM Systems and Technology
Data Sheet
Northbound REST APIs (CFS programmatic for partners, services) Provision via VCenter
Easy installation of management stack Provision from VS Templates
Integrate Customer LDAP Server Provision to VCenter hosts, and clusters
VM Power on/off Isolate projects via data stores/data center
Upgrade export to TSAM, and ISDM User initiated root disk resize
Supported on AIX (Power) and on Linux (x86) Allow/tolerate vSphere initiated migration
Dynamic Disk management Retrieve deployment properties
Add v-disk (VMControl) Back-up & Restores via Self-Service (VCenter)
Resize disk at deploy (VCenter) Provides capability to capture Physical to Virtual images for
deployment in Starter Kit environment
Supports multiple VM Ware Clusters & resource pools
Better manage image sprawl - Move the workload from one hypervisor
Support multiple VMWare data stores
type to a different hypervisor type from a single image source
Support appliances with multiple V-nics
Admin initiated migration Table 3: Starter Kit Features and Functions
Kit Software Components
Starter Kit for Cloud
management stack
Self-service UI
Customer
• Approval policy, REST API integration
project management,
users & roles Cloud administration Tivoli
• Events and auditing and management Provisioning
• Metering
• Image library and config Manager for
vCenter API Images 7.1.1
VMControl VMware
2.3.1 vCenter
IBM Systems
Director 6.2 ESXi
System x HW
Reference Configurations
Figure 3: Kit Software Components
3

4. Why IBM?
The IBM Starter Kit for Cloud x86 Edition has features that
set it apart from other products. It provides in a single product,
a comprehensive cloud software stack with capabilities that can
only be provided by multiple products from other providers,
© Copyright IBM Corporation 2011
such as VMware. It is easily upgradeable to support advanced
Cloud features when these features are required. IBM Systems and Technology Group
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