VMware KB Mobile App Launched

November 3rd, 2010 by jason No comments »

Got an Apple iPhone, iPad, or Android and a desire to search the VMware Knowledgebase or watch the latest KBTV videos on the go?  VMware has your covered with Monday’s launch of the VMware KB Mobile App.  Don’t head to the App Store to download this application – you won’t find it there.  It’s written in HTML 5 meaning you’ll access it like any other web page through your browser.  The link for the application is http://wbxapp.com/vmwarekb.  Following are some screens I grabbed from the iPad:

The VMware KB Mobile App home page.  You’ll find several items of interest here, some of which is dynamic content and will change over time:

photo1

Here’s a look at VMware KBTV which has been in existence for quit some time on YouTube.  I watched several vCloud Director video clips from this page:

photo2

Here we see an example of searching the Knowledgebase.  There appears to be no granular ability to confine the search to a specific forum or selection of forums.  Given VMware’s wide variety of forums, more often than not search method is going to produce results which are not desired or don’t apply.  Not good:

photo3

The search criteria Vcenter actually forwards us to the kb.vmware.com site and yields 300 results, presumably across all product and discussion forums:

photo4

Many people have handheld devices which are already HTML 5 compatible or soon will be (Blackberry for example).  This app is FREE.  Take it for a spin and provide feedback to VMware so that they can build in more usefulness in future versions.

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Posted in Virtualization

Tags:

vCenter MAC Address allocation and conflicts

November 3rd, 2010 by jason No comments »

Paul Davey of Xtravirt published a VMware networking article a few weeks ago called vCenter MAC Address allocation and conflicts.  The article describes the mechanism behind MAC address assignments in vCenter, and more specifically how conflicts are avoided:

When a vCenter server is installed a unique ID is generated. This ID is randomly generated and is in the range of 0 to 64. The ID gets used when generating MAC address and the UUIDS, or unique identifiers for virtual machines. You can see that if two vCenter servers had the same unique ID, a possibility exists that duplicate MAC addresses might get generated; cue packet loss, connectivity issues and your desk phone ringing a lot…

 SnagIt Capture

I receive email updates from Xtravirt at regular intervals – about one every week or two.  Each update contains new virtualization content as well as links to their most popular content.  I find the content very interesting and always look forward to opening new email from them.  I think this speaks volumes considering how much of a chore email can be at times.  If this sounds appealing to you, head to their site and look at the bottom of the page to sign up for the Xtravirt Newsletter.   No purchase or invitation necessary.

Updated 3/14/11: I thought this might also be helpful for this article.  VMware explains the automatic MAC address generation process as follows:

The VMware Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) generates MAC addresses that are checked for conflicts. The generated MAC addresses are created by using three parts: the VMware OUI, the SMBIOS UUID for the physical ESXi machine, and a hash based on the name of the entity that the MAC address is being generated for.

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Posted in Virtualization

Tags:

VMware “Student Archive”

November 2nd, 2010 by jason No comments »

A gentleman by the name of William Griffith is credited with maintaining a documentation and utility library which contains a whole lot of centralized VMware resources.  In the “Student Archive” you’ll find platform specific and application specific documents and best practices.  You’ll also find some documentation for partner integration.  A disclaimer describes the compilation as follows:

The set of files known as “student archive” has been compiled as a convenient reference for students of VMware classes. As an archive, the files contained in the document set may not be the most current document available. No warranty is provided or implied about any particular document as being fully accurate and up to date. If your requirements are for absolutely up to date info, please go to the appropriate document repository to retrieve the authorized most up to date document you need.

The contents of the library is indexed throughout various folders to help you quickly find what you need (be sure to unzip using folder structure).  The library can be used as a planning and deployment guide, a desk reference, or a study guide for the VCP, VCAP-DCA, and VCAP-DCD exams.

The compressed size of the archive is 295MB and you’ll need an additional 418MB to extract it all.  Grab your copy of the current archive here.

Update 11/3/10: The number of downloads allowed by Dropbox has been exceeded and therefore the download link above no longer works, at least temporarily.  I may regret this but in the effort of supporting the virtualization masses, I’ll mirror the download at my own dropbox.  If this mirror buries my blog bandwidth, I may yank it.  I’ve got QoS capability but since my dropbox and blog run over the same port and server, I can’t limit bandwidth of one without impacting the other.  I’d suggest downloading as a background task.  Go make some coffee or dinner.  If ya’ll have another reliable mirror source and would like to help, please let me know.

Update 11/11/10: Bill Griffith has found has way to this blog and has this to say in the comments below:

I have uploaded a new version to the old link for now. I’m not sure if it’ll remain there long as someone else is going to be taking over the responsibility after this week. The link is http://bit.ly/student_archive. I am at this moment adding some more app specific docs and will upload it this evening.

Thanks everyone for adding alternatives. This thing is much more popular than I had anticipated and is being downloaded at about 250GB/month.

Bill, thanks for this great resource.  If possible, do let us know who is taking this over and where the updates can be found in the future.  Thanks a lot!

Directory of \Student Archive

[.]
[..]
[Admin and config guides]
[Application specific]
[Backup and Recovery]
[CLI and automation]
[Clustering and availability]
[Converter]
[ESXi]
[Lab Manager]
[Lab Utilities]
[Lifecycle Manager]
[Links to kb articles on version 4.1]
[MAN Pages (from VI3)]
[Networking]
[Orchestrator]
[OVF]
[Patch management and VUM]
[Performance]
[Resource Management]
[Security]
[Snapshot]
[SRM]
[Storage]
[vCenter Chargeback]
[vCenter, ESXESXi Installation and Upgrade]
[vCloud Director]
[VCP critical papers]
[View and Thinapp]
acronyms.xls
disclaimer.txt
KBs_and_Docs_2009.doc
StudentResources.exe
vmware-vsphere-crg-wp-en.pdf
vSphere links.html
vsphere_pricing.pdf
7 File(s)      6,207,048 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Admin and config guides

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
GuestOS_guide.pdf
Java_in_Virtual_Machines_on_ESX-FINAL-Jan-15-2009.pdf
vam_best_practices_building.pdf
vix160_vmrun_command.pdf
VMware-View-4-LocationAwareness-WP-EN.pdf
vsp_4_legacy_host_lic.pdf
vsp_40_admin_guide.pdf
vsp_40_esx_server_config.pdf
vsp_40_u1_admin_guide.pdf
vsp_40_u1_esx_server_config.pdf
vsp_40_web_access.pdf
vsp_4x_db_calculator.xls
vsp_4x_db_calculator_oracle.xls
vsp_compatibility_matrix.pdf
14 File(s)     12,189,024 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Admin and config guides\Version 4.1

[.]                            [..]
vmware-tools-cli.pdf           vsp_41_dc_admin_guide.pdf
vsp_41_esx_server_config.pdf   vsp_41_vm_admin_guide.pdf
vsp_41_web_access.pdf
5 File(s)      7,594,750 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific

[.]                [..]               [Active Directory] [ESRI ArcGIS]
[Exchange]         [Oracle]           [RIM BES]          [SAP]
[Sharepoint_MOSS]  [SQL Server]       [Zebra YMS]        [Zimbra]
0 File(s)              0 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Active Directory

[.]
[..]
Virtualizing_Windows_Active_Directory.pdf
1 File(s)        517,223 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\ESRI ArcGIS

[.]                             [..]
ESRI-DeploymentGuide-v1.0.pdf
1 File(s)      1,360,652 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Exchange

[.]
[..]
[Exchange 2010]
08Q4_VM_Exchange_Server_2007_VI3_WP.pdf
16000_exchange_on_vmware.pdf
availability_recovery_exchange_sb.pdf
availability_recovery_exchange_solutions_sb.pdf
best_practices_exchange_solutions.pdf
exchange_best_practices.pdf
exchange_on_vmware_wp.pdf
perf_vsphere_exchange-per-scaling.pdf
vsphere_perf_exchange-storage-protocols.pdf
9 File(s)     13,357,366 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Exchange\Exchange 2010

[.]
[..]
[References]
[Resources]
[Technical Tools]
Exchange 2010 on VMware – FAQ.pdf
Exchange 2010 on VMware – Use Cases.pdf
Exchange_2010_on_VMware_-_Use_Cases.pdf
3 File(s)      1,950,211 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Exchange\Exchange 2010\References

[.]
[..]
08Q2_isv_vmw_cleveland_indians_english.pdf
08Q2_isv_vmw_univ_plymouth_english.pdf
08Q3_isv_vmw_boise_english.pdf
08Q3_isv_vmw_nuvasive_english.pdf
09Q3_cs_vmw_NMCI_Green_english.pdf
5 File(s)      1,230,686 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Exchange\Exchange 2010\Resources

[.]
[..]
Exchange 2010 on VMware – Partner Resources Catalog.pdf
Exchange_2010_on_VMware_-_Best_Practices_Guide.pdf
exchange-2010-on-vmware-design-and-sizing-examples.pdf
exchange-2010-on-vmware-support-and-licensing-guide.pdf
4 File(s)      3,866,690 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Exchange\Exchange 2010\Technical Tools

[.]
[..]
Exchange 2010 on VMware – Availability and Recovery Options.pdf
Exchange 2010 on VMware – Technical Workshop Presentation.pptx
Exchange_2010_on_VMware_-_Best_Practices_Guide.pdf
exchange-2010-on-vmware-availability-and-recovery-options.pdf
exchange-2010-on-vmware-design-and-sizing-examples.pdf
5 File(s)     12,502,862 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Oracle

[.]
[..]
Oracle_Databases_on_vSphere_Deployment_Tips.pdf
Perf_ESX40_Oracle-eval.pdf
Perf_ESX40_Oracle-TPC-C-eval.pdf
vmw-oracle-virtualizing-oracle-db10g11g-vmware-on-infrastructure.pdf
4 File(s)      3,628,549 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\RIM BES

[.]
[..]
Blackberry-Enterprise-Server-Deployment-Guide.pdf
VMware_RIM_Case_Study.pdf
2 File(s)      3,226,798 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\SAP

[.]
[..]
perf_vsphere_sap.pdf
SAP_vsphere_high_availability.pdf
SAP-Best-Practices-White-Paper-2009.pdf
vsp_41_perf_SAP_SUSE_DB2.pdf
4 File(s)      2,105,295 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Sharepoint_MOSS

[.]
[..]
MOSS_2007_Virtualization_with_VMware_Infrastructure.pdf
MOSS_Availability_Guide_FINAL.pdf
SharePoint_Deployment_Automation.pdf
vsp_41_sharepoint_perf.pdf
4 File(s)      3,563,926 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\SQL Server

[.]
[..]
perf_vsphere_sql_scalability.pdf
SQL_Server_Availability_Guide_FINAL.pdf
sql_server_faq.pdf
sql_server_use_cases.pdf
sql_server_virt_bp.pdf
5 File(s)      9,572,374 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Zebra YMS

[.]
[..]
Zebra-YMS-Deployment-Guide-on-VMware-vSphere.pdf
1 File(s)      1,421,694 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Application specific\Zimbra

[.]
[..]
Performance Recommendations for Virtualizing Zimbra with VMware vSphere 4.url
Zimbra Architectural Overview.pdf
Zimbra case studies.url
Zimbra Collaboration Suite Data Sheet.pdf
Zimbra wiki.url
Zimbra_on_vSphere_Performance_Best_Practices.pdf
6 File(s)      2,207,579 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Backup and Recovery

[.]                                    [..]
data-recovery-evaluators-guide.pdf     practical_guide_bcdr_vmb.pdf
vcb_pubs.html                          vdr_10_admin.pdf
vdr_11_admin.pdf                       VMware_Data_Recovery_FAQ_July_09.pdf
vsp_vcb_15_u1_admin_guide.pdf
7 File(s)     20,696,071 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\CLI and automation

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
ExportImportBaselines_VUMU2.ps1
viwin_admg(powershell).pdf
viwin_admg.pdf
viwin_install (powershell).pdf
viwin_install.pdf
vma_40_guide.pdf
vsp_40_u1_vcli.pdf
vsp_40_vcli.pdf
vumps_admg(powershell for Update Manager).pdf
vumps_admg.pdf
10 File(s)      8,944,840 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\CLI and automation\Version 4.1

[.]                            [..]
vsp4_41_vcli_inst_script.pdf
1 File(s)      2,859,609 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Clustering and availability

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
DOC-1541 MSCS.pdf
fault_tolerance_recommendations_considerations_on_vmw_vsphere4.pdf
ft_virtualization_wp.pdf
fttech.pdf
heartbeat_55_u1_quick_start.pdf
heartbeat_55_u1_reference_guide.pdf
perf-vsphere-fault_tolerance.pdf
vcenter-srm-evaluators-guide.pdf
VMwareHA_twp.pdf
vmware-vsphere-fault_tolerance.pdf
vsp_40_availability.pdf
vsp_40_mscs.pdf
vsp_40_u1_availability.pdf
vsp_40_u1_mscs.pdf
14 File(s)     31,486,334 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Clustering and availability\Version 4.1

[.]                       [..]                      vsp_41_availability.pdf
vsp_41_mscs.pdf
2 File(s)        986,663 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Converter

[.]                          [..]
vsp_vcc_41_admin_guide.pdf
1 File(s)      1,141,421 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\ESXi

[.]
[..]
[Embedded]
[Installable]
hostd log messages.pdf
VMware-ESXi-HPProLiantServers-WP-EN.pdf
VMW-ESXi41-Migration-Guide.pdf
3 File(s)      2,159,910 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\ESXi\Embedded

[.]                                [..]
[Version 4.1]                      vsp_40_esxi_e_get_start.pdf
vsp_40_esxi_e_vc_setup_guide.pdf   vsp_40_esxi_server_config.pdf
3 File(s)      3,239,891 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\ESXi\Embedded\Version 4.1

[.]                                [..]
vsp_41_esxi_e_get_start.pdf        vsp_41_esxi_e_vc_setup_guide.pdf
vsp_41_esxi_server_config.pdf
3 File(s)      4,891,010 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\ESXi\Installable

[.]                                [..]
[Version 4.1]                      vsp_40_esxi_i_vc_setup_guide.pdf
vsp_40_esxi_server_config.pdf
2 File(s)      1,950,113 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\ESXi\Installable\Version 4.1

[.]                                [..]
vsp_41_esxi_i_vc_setup_guide.pdf   vsp_41_esxi_server_config.pdf
2 File(s)      4,845,758 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Lab Manager

[.]
[..]
[case studies]
comp_matrix.pdf
Lab Manager tutorials.url
labmanager_datasheet.pdf
LabManager4_Evaluators_Guide.pdf
LabManager4_Whats_New.pdf
lm40_installation_guide.pdf
lm40_soap_api_guide.pdf
lm40_users_guide.pdf
VMware-vCenter-Lab-Manager-4-DS-EN.pdf
9 File(s)     12,292,286 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Lab Manager\case studies

[.]
[..]
vmware-dev-test-labmanager-for-SAP-wp-en.pdf
1 File(s)        560,258 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Lab Utilities

[.]
[..]
Copy of cpubusy.vbs.txt
cpubusy.vbs
Iometer.exe
iometer-2006.07.27.win32.i386-setup.exe
lsi.flp
putty-0.58.exe
6 File(s)      4,381,639 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Lifecycle Manager

[.]
[..]
lcm102_admin_guide.pdf
lcm102_users_guide.pdf
VMware-vCenter-Lifecycle-Manager-DS-EN.pdf
3 File(s)      2,957,778 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Links to kb articles on version 4.1

[.]                 [..]                sS41kb part2.zip    vS41kb part 1.zip
2 File(s)         10,991 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\MAN Pages (from VI3)

[.]                      [..]                     alias.doc
arp.txt                  bunzip2.txt              cat.txt
chmod.txt                chown.txt                cp.txt
date.txt                 df.txt                   dig.txt
esxcfg-advcfg.txt        esxcfg-auth.txt          esxcfg-boot.txt
esxcfg-configcheck.txt   esxcfg-dumppart.txt      esxcfg-firewall.txt
esxcfg-hwiscsi.txt       esxcfg-info.txt          esxcfg-init.txt
esxcfg-linuxnet.txt      esxcfg-module.txt        esxcfg-mpath.txt
esxcfg-nas.txt           esxcfg-nics.txt          esxcfg-pciid.txt
esxcfg-rescan.txt        esxcfg-resgrp.txt        esxcfg-route.txt
esxcfg-swiscsi.txt       esxcfg-vmhbadevs.txt     esxcfg-vmknic.txt
esxcfg-vswif.txt         esxcfg-vswitch.txt       esxtop.txt
esxupdate.txt            find.txt                 free.txt
ftp.txt                  grep.txt                 halt.txt
host.txt                 ifconfig.txt             kill.txt
ls.txt                   lspci.txt                mii-tool.txt
mkdir.txt                mkfs.txt                 more.txt
mount.txt                mv.txt                   netstat.txt
nslookup.txt             passwd.txt               pgrep.txt
ping.txt                 pkill.txt                ps.txt
reboot.txt               rm.txt                   rmdir.txt
route.txt                scp.txt                  shutdown.txt
sudo.txt                 tar.txt                  top.txt
traceroute.txt           tty.txt                  umount.txt
uname.txt                uptime.txt               vim.txt
vipw.txt                 visudo.txt               vmkfstools.txt
vmkpcidivy.doc           vmkping.txt              vmstat.txt
vm-support.txt           vmware-cmd.doc           vmware-cmd.txt
watch.txt                who.txt                  whois.txt
85 File(s)        612,645 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Networking

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
network_segmentation.pdf
networking_cheat_sheet.png
VMW_09Q1_WP_vSphereNetworking_P8_R1.pdf
vsphere-vnetwork-ds-migration-configuration-wp.pdf
vsphere-whatsnew-networking-wp.pdf
5 File(s)     23,232,113 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Networking\Version 4.1

[.]                            [..]
VMW_Netioc_BestPractices.pdf
1 File(s)      3,326,750 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Orchestrator

[.]                                [..]
[orchestrator_pubs_files]          orchestrator_pubs.html
vco_40_admin_guide.pdf             vco_40_developers_guide.pdf
vco_40_examples.zip                vco_40_install_config_guide.pdf
vco_401_admin_guide.pdf            vco_401_developers_guide.pdf
vco_401_install_config_guide.pdf   vco_401_release_notes.html
vco-samples_4_0_1_4502.zip
10 File(s)     12,795,372 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Orchestrator\orchestrator_pubs_files

[.]                    [..]                   a
baynote_global.js      brightedge.js          btn-search.gif
buttons.css            common_min.js          elqCfg.js
elqImg.js              fce.css                library_framework.js
oo_engine.js           print.css              s_code.js
s_config.js            sm_999_oo.gif          svrGP.htm
techpubs.css           template.css           tracking.js
19 File(s)        377,942 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\OVF

[.]                                [..]
ovf_whitepaper_specification.pdf   ovftool_10_userguide.pdf
ovftool_201_userguide.pdf
3 File(s)      1,477,733 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Patch management and VUM

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
ExportImportBaselines_VUMU2.ps1
Perf_UpdateManager40_Best-Practices.pdf
vsp_40_esxupdate.pdf
vsp_vum_40_admin_guide.pdf
vsp_vum_40_sizing_estimator.xls
vsp_vum_40u1_admin_guide.pdf
vumps_admg.pdf
7 File(s)      4,009,107 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Patch management and VUM\Version 4.1

[.]
[..]
vsp_41_esxupdate.pdf
vsp_41_perf_UpdateManager_Best-Practices.pdf
vsp_vum_41_admin_guide.pdf
vsp_vum_41_sizing_estimator.xls
4 File(s)      3,572,428 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Performance

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
!!Note about this folder.txt
Alliances-WebSphere-vSphere4_Nehalem-Performance-HPProliant-Servers.pdf
drs_performance_best_practices_wp.pdf
Java_in_Virtual_Machines_on_ESX-FINAL-Jan-15-2009.pdf
large_pg_performance.pdf
Perf_Best_Practices_vSphere4.0.pdf
perf_vsphere_storage_protocols.pdf
performance_char_vmfs_rdm.pdf
perf-vsphere-cpu_scheduler.pdf
perf-vsphere-memory_management.pdf
perf-vsphere-monitor_modes.pdf
RVI_performance.pdf
scalable_storage_performance.pdf
software_hardware_tech_x86_virt.pdf
Tier1_virtualizatoin.pdf
Timekeeping-In-VirtualMachines.pdf
VMware_paravirtualization.pdf
VMware-vCenter-SRM-WP-EN.pdf
VMware-vSphere-Performance-WP-EN.pdf
vsp_4_extreme_io.pdf
vsp_4_pvscsi_perf.pdf
vsp_4_thinprov_perf.pdf
vsp_4_VMCI_socket_perf.pdf
vsp_41_perf_VC_Best_Practices.pdf
vsphere_performance_wp.pdf
vsphere4-performance-troubleshooting.pdf
vsphere-whatsnew-performance-wp.pdf
What’s_new_with_vSphere2009_VMUG-1.pdf
28 File(s)     35,381,066 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Performance\Version 4.1

[.]
[..]
Choosing a network adapter for your VM.pdf
Co-scheduling SMP VMs in VMware ESX Server.pdf
Interpreting esxtop Statistics.pdf
Performance whitepapers.pdf
Timekeeping for Linux guests.pdf
Using vscsiStats for Storage Performance Analysis.pdf
VMW_Netioc_BestPractices.pdf
VMW_vSphere41_cpu_schedule_ESX.pdf
vmware_timekeeping.pdf
VMW-vSphere41-SIOC.pdf
VMW-Whats-New-vSphere41-HA.pdf
VMW-Whats-New-vSphere41-Networking.pdf
VMW-Whats-New-vSphere41-Performance.pdf
VMW-Whats-New-vSphere41-Storage.pdf
vsp_41_olio_tcServer.pdf
vsp_41_perf_memory_mgmt.pdf
vsp_41_perf_SIOC.pdf
vsp_41_perf_VC_Best_Practices.pdf
vsp_41_sharepoint_perf.pdf
19 File(s)     18,112,898 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Resource Management

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
distributed_power_management_vsphere.pdf
Distributed-Power-Management-vSphere.pdf
Resource Allocation Shares.mht
vsp_40_resource_mgmt.pdf
vsp_40_u1_resource_mgmt.pdf
5 File(s)      3,382,528 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Resource Management\Version 4.1

[.]                           [..]
vsp_41_perf_memory_mgmt.pdf   vsp_41_resource_mgmt.pdf
2 File(s)      2,949,066 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Security

[.]
[..]
dmz-vsphere-nexus-wp.pdf
hostd log messages.pdf
vi3_vc_roles.pdf
VMware_vSphere_HardeningGuide_May10_EN.pdf
VMware-vShieldZones-ReviewersGuide-EN.pdf
vsp_4_vcserver_certificates.pdf
vsp41_usingproxy_virtual_serial_ports.pdf
7 File(s)      5,705,497 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Snapshot

[.]                    [..]                   My Snapshot File.ppt
1 File(s)      2,926,080 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\SRM

[.]
[..]
Bulk-NetworkChanges.zip
DR_for_PTC_Windchill_Solutions_Site_Recovery_Manager.pdf
FUJI_SRM_Final.pdf
srm_10_admin.pdf
srm_10_gettingstarted.pdf
srm_compat_matrix_4_0.pdf
srm_dns_updater.pdf
srm_shared_recovery.pdf
srm-admin.pdf
SRM-notes_RevA.rtf
Swap and Pagefile replication caveats.pdf
vcenter-srm-evaluators-guide.pdf
VMware-vCenter-SRM-WP-EN.pdf
13 File(s)     20,073,839 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Storage

[.]
[..]
[Version 4.1]
[VMFS]
esx_lun_security.pdf
esx3_partition_align.pdf
perf_vsphere_storage_protocols.pdf
storage_vmotion_datasheet.pdf
Virtual SCSI Adapter type – DOC-10971.pdf
VMW_09Q1_WP_vSphereStorage_P10_R1.pdf
VMware-Storage-VMotion-DS-EN.pdf
VMware-vStorage-Thin-Provisioning-DS-EN.pdf
vsp_4_extreme_io.pdf
vsp_4_pvscsi_perf.pdf
vsp_4_thinprov_perf.pdf
vsp_40_iscsi_san_cfg.pdf
vsp_40_san_cfg.pdf
vsp_40_u1_iscsi_san_cfg.pdf
vsp_40_u1_san_cfg.pdf
15 File(s)      9,083,069 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Storage\Version 4.1

[.]
[..]
gulati PARDA whitepaper about porportional allocation of resources for distributed storage access (SIOC).pdf
VMW-vSphere41-SIOC.pdf
vsp_4_vsp4_41_npivconfig.pdf
vsp_41_iscsi_san_cfg.pdf
vsp_41_perf_SIOC.pdf
vsp_41_san_cfg.pdf
6 File(s)      5,944,965 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\Storage\VMFS

[.]
[..]
esx3_partition_align.pdf
vmfs-best-practices-wp.pdf
VMware-vStorage-VMFS-3PAR-Utility-Storage-WP-EN.pdf
VMware-vStorage-VMFS-DS-EN.pdf
4 File(s)      1,567,913 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\vCenter Chargeback

[.]
[..]
API_v_1_5_Reference.zip
vCenter_Chargeback_1.0_Evaluators_Guide.pdf
vCenter_Chargeback-Costing_Calculator.xls
vCenterChargeback_v_1_5_API_Programming_Guide.pdf
vCenterChargeback_v_1_5_Tech_Note.pdf
vCenterChargeback_v_1_5_Users_Guide.pdf
vCenterChargeback_v10_Use_Cases.pdf
vCenterChargeback_v10_Users_Guide.pdf
8 File(s)      7,131,294 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\vCenter, ESXESXi Installation and Upgrade

[.]
[..]
[version 4.1]
vsp_4_vcserver_certificates.pdf
vsp_4_vcserver_cmdline_install.pdf
vsp_40_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf
vsp_40_esxi_e_get_start.pdf
vsp_40_u1_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf
vsp_40_u1_upgrade_guide.pdf
vsp_40_upgrade_guide.pdf
vsp_4x_db_calculator.xls
vsp_4x_db_calculator_oracle.xls
vsp_compatibility_matrix.pdf
10 File(s)      6,184,621 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\vCenter, ESXESXi Installation and Upgrade\version 4.1

[.]                                    [..]
VMW-ESXi41-Migration-Guide.pdf         vsp_41_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf
vsp_41_upgrade_guide.pdf
3 File(s)      2,047,922 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\vCloud Director

[.]                                 [..]
vcd_10_admin_guide.pdf              vcd_10_api_guide.pdf
vcd_10_api_spec.pdf                 vcd_10_install.pdf
vcd_10_sdk_java_dg.pdf              vcd_10_users_guide.pdf
vCloud Director main page.url       VMW-vCloud-Director-EvalGuide.pdf
8 File(s)     12,435,801 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\VCP critical papers

[.]
[..]
srm-admin.pdf
vdr_11_admin.pdf
vsp_4_legacy_host_lic.pdf
vsp_40_esx_server_config.pdf
vsp_40_u1_availability.pdf
vsp_40_u1_esx_get_start.pdf
vsp_40_u1_esx_server_config.pdf
vsp_40_u1_esx_vc_installation_guide.pdf
vsp_40_u1_intro_vs.pdf
vsp_40_u1_iscsi_san_cfg.pdf
vsp_40_u1_mscs.pdf
vsp_40_u1_resource_mgmt.pdf
vsp_40_u1_upgrade_guide.pdf
vsp_40_web_access.pdf
vsp_vum_40_admin_guide.pdf
vsp_vum_40u1_admin_guide.pdf
16 File(s)     14,271,472 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\View and Thinapp

[.]
[..]
[Thinapp]
[vendor specific papers]
EMA-VMware-View-StatelessVirtualDesktop-WP.pdf
migrating_windowsxp_windows7.pdf
The VMware Reference Architecture for Stateless Virtual Desktops with VMware View 4.5.pdf
thinapp_4_reviewers_guide.pdf
thinapp_intro.pdf
thinapp-ref-arch.pdf
vce-ra-brief.pdf
view_wan_reference_architecture.pdf
view4.5-backgrounder-en.pdf
view40_admin_guide.pdf
view40_upgrade_guide.pdf
view45_admin_guide.pdf
view45_architecture_planning.pdf
view45_installation_guide.pdf
view45_integration_guide.pdf
view45_upgrade_guide.pdf
VMware-DG-ThinApp-AppRegistration-EN.pdf
VMware-IG-ViewThinApp-EN.pdf
VMware-View4-Deployment-Guide-Q309.pdf
VMware-View-4-LocationAwareness-WP-EN.pdf
VMware-View-AntiVirusDeployment-WP-en.pdf
vmware-view-reference-architecture.pdf
VMware-WP-WorkloadConsiderations-WP-EN.pdf
23 File(s)     34,186,163 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\View and Thinapp\Thinapp

[.]                             [..]
thinapp_4_reviewers_guide.pdf   thinapp_intro.pdf
thinapp_virt_registry.pdf       thinapp46_manual.pdf
thinapp-ref-arch.pdf            VMware-IG-ViewThinApp-EN.pdf
6 File(s)     12,314,803 bytes

Directory of \Student Archive\View and Thinapp\vendor specific papers

[.]
[..]
Dell-VMware-View4-RA-brief.pdf
Dell-VMware-View-RA.pdf
HP-Reference-Architecture-Brief-VMware-View-4.pdf
VMware-Ref-Architecture-for-CISCO-EMC-CLARIION-RAB-EN-VCE.pdf
VMware-View-ReferenceImplementation-Norton-EN.pdf
VMware-VMwareView-NetAppStorage-WP-EN.pdf
6 File(s)      5,802,374 bytes

Total Files Listed:
463 File(s)    438,812,760 bytes

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VMware vSphere Design Workshop – Day 3

October 29th, 2010 by jason No comments »

VMware vSphere Design classroom training wrapped up today by covering modules 6, 7, and 8 which was Storage design, VM design, and Management/Monitoring design, respectively.

In the storage module, we talked a lot about protocols, IOPS, capacity, tuning, zoning, multipathing, and RAID types.  Furthermore, we applied rating indexes to the protocols and technologies such as cost, complexity, and flexibility.  Understanding this information aids in formulating design choices for the project.  A few interesting tidbits I pulled out of today’s discussions:

  • VMFS block size selection has a negligible effect on the design.  Don’t stress over 1, 2, 4, or 8MB.  If you want the most flexibility, choose 8MB and be done.  There is no measurable performance impact and the amount of disk space wasted due to placing 10-20 VMs worth of small files on a 500GB LUN is negligible, with or without sub block allocation.
  • This one I was a bit surprised at: “Don’t adjust LUN queue depth“.  Rationale: if you are having performance issues in the form of queuing, it is likely the result of a larger problem elsewhere such as front end port saturation on the array.  I will agree that leaving queue depth at its factory defaults on the HBA and VMkernel side (Disk.SchedNumReqOutstanding) makes implementation that much easier, but it doesn’t mean it’s always the right solution.  In my VCDX design submission, I increased queue depth from the default of 32 to 64 (128 is max).  By the way, the best whitepaper on this discussion I’ve ever found is Scalable Storage Performance.  It’s quite short and in my opinion explains the key details in better detail than the VMware KB articles.

The VM design module was fairly predictable.  It basically focused around right-sizing and choosing the appropriate virtual hardware.  It touched a bit on security and naming conventions.  Nothing earth shattering here.

The final module, Management and Monitoring Design, briefly covered scripted installation, infrastructure security, vCenter placement in the logical design, templates, time synchronization, CDP, SNMP, external logging (ie. syslog, splunk, vilogger), alarms, and performance monitoring.

Final thoughts… good class, I’d recommend it.  I felt many ties to the VCDX design process and hopefully this class will be beneficial to those in pursuit of that certification (or the VCAP-DCD).  My feedback on the class was for added days.  We got through the entire 400 page classroom book in 3 days but we flew through some sections.  The biggest compromise of time was probably the labs.  I felt that we did not spend a lot of time hashing design decisions, justifications, and upstream/downstream impacts.  This is where you need to spend considerable time thinking through each design decision, not only for the benefit of your customer, but you’re going to get hammered by the VCDX panel on decisions as well.  Ample time spent here is a good practice.

The instructor is sitting the VCAP-DCD BETA exam the same day as I.  He seemed a bit curious as to whether or not this course will cover all of the exam questions we both will face.  I’ll solicit his feedback after the exam to see what he thought, and then compare it with my thoughts.  I’ll post a recap on my exam experience, as I usually do, so stay tuned if your interested in the VCAP-DCD.

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RVTools 2.9.5 Released

October 29th, 2010 by jason No comments »

I missed the release (probably due to VMworld 2010 excitement), but a month later I’ve discovered that Dutch rock star Rob de Veij has provided the community with an update to his free VMware virtualization utility RVTools.  Version 2.9.5 boasts the following new features:

On vInfo tab new field: Guest heartbeat status. The heartbeat status is classified as:

  • gray – VMware Tools are not installed or not running,
  • red – no heartbeat, guest operating system may have stopped responding.
  • yellow -intermittent heartbeat, may be due to guest load.
  • green – guest operating system is responding normally.

Feedback for the next release: The heartbeat status isn’t entirely reliable. For instance, the Celerra VMs show a heartbeat status of red. In reality, the VMware Tools are reported as not installed by the vSphere Client.

SnagIt Capture

On vMemory tab new fields: Ballooned memory, consumed overhead memory, private memory, shared memory, swapped memory and static memory entitlement

SnagIt Capture

On vDatastore tab new field: Full device address (controller, target, device)

SnagIt Capture

On vInfo tab new fields: Committed storage, uncommitted storage and unshared storage

Feedback for the next release: Comma separators or larger units of storage would be extremely helpful.  These numbers are too large to deal with from a reporting standpoint.

SnagIt Capture

Very nice job Rob!  Keep up the great work!

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VMware VCDX3 Logos Have Arrived

October 29th, 2010 by jason No comments »

The VCDX3 logos have been released by VMware for use on business cards and professional communications.  Going forward, VMware will be making these new logos available on shirts, certificates, business cards, etc.

Normal: Reverse:
VMW_10Q3_LGO_CERTIFIED_DSGN_EXPRT_3_K VMW_10Q3_LGO_CERTIFIED_DSGN_EXPRT_3_REV
   

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GeekFest 2010

October 29th, 2010 by jason No comments »

Are you looking for something fun and exciting to do in November? How about a free technology event with a tie to virtualization? Nexus Information Systems, a regional leader in sales and service of hardware, storage, networking, and managed services, has cooked up something for you!

On Wednesday November 10th, Nexus is hosting an all day event called GeekFest 2010 at their offices in Minnetonka, MN. Here is what they are saying about it:

The day is comprised of different technologies and industry sessions focused around challenging data center solutions and services. GeekFest is a FREE event where you can register to come and go to just individual sessions or register for an all-day pass. Attendees to GeekFest will be exposed to the newest technologies from both industry-leading and up & coming providers.

What else is cool? GeekFest 2010 has a special guest moderator Greg Schulz of Storage IO who is a 25+ year technology veteran, storage industry analyst, and vEXPERT.

The uber agenda looks like this:

  • 8:00am – Session #1 Registration “Multi-vendor storage panel breakfast”
  • 8:30am – Session #1 Start
  • 11:00am – Session #1 End
  • 11:30am – Session #2 Registration “Emerging technologies lunch”
  • 12:00pm – Session #2 Start
  • 1:30pm – Session #2 End
  • 2:00pm – Session #3 Registration “Beyond VMworld & shadow installs of Thinapp and other VMware Technology”
  • 2:30pm – Session #3 Start
  • 4:30pm – Session #3 End
  • 5:00pm – Game Night!  Maybe it will look something like the following 😀

dh04w

Nexus Information Systems is located at:
6103 Blue Circle Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343

I hope to be there and I hope to see you there as well! Don’t forget to register.

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