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Test Post
January 4th, 2010
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Netapp Virtual Storage Console (VSC) 1.0 Released
October 26th, 2009
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Netapp has released their Virtual Storage Console 1.0 (VSC). The VCS allows you to manage ESX(i)4 host through a vCenter plug-in. It has a limited feature set for ESX(i)3.5 host. The VSC will allow you to view the status of storage controllers from a SAN, NAS, ESX point of view. It will check to make sure the timeout, MPIO, and NFS settings are set correctly. The VSC is a great tool as it allows non-storage admins to see into the virtual storage infrastructure. The tool allows you to get detailed storage information without leaving the vCenter client. If you have Netapp NOW account you can download VSC 1.0 here.
Adding Port Groups With PowerCLI
October 1st, 2009
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Here is my first PowerCli script after reading Hal Rottenberg’s “Managing VMware Infrastructure with Windows Powershell.”
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#Variables
$strCluster = Read-Host "Enter Cluster Name"
$strVswitch = Read-Host "Enter vSwitch Name"
$strPG = Read-Host "Enter Virtual Port Group Name"
$strVlanID = Read-Host "Enter VLAN ID"
$AllHosts = Get-Cluster $strCluster | Get-VMHost | Sort-Object -Property Name
ForEach($EsxHost in $AllHosts){
$strVSwitch = Get-Virtualswitch -VMHost (Get-VMHost $EsxHost) | where-object { $_.Name -match $strVswitch }
Write-Host "Adding Port Group" $strPG "with VLAN ID" $strVlanID "to" $strVswitch "on" $EsxHost
New-VirtualPortGroup -Name $strPG -VirtualSwitch $strVswitch -VLanId $strVlanID
}
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This script will allow you to enter the Cluster, vSwitch, Port Group, and VLAN ID. It will then add the port group and VLAN Id specified on the chosen vSwitch to all the host in the specified cluster . Please let me know if you see anything that could be improved in this script.
If you have not been able to read Hal’s book I highly recommend it. Hal’s book will get you started and excited about PowerCLI. The book will give you a detailed introduction in to using powershell with VMware and then move on to a cookbook style of writing. At first the cookbook style kind of bored me, but he gets into great detail about each script. This allows for a easy read with great examples of how to use powershell with VMware. You can order his book on Amazon.com.
As I need a blog post on vNetwork Distributed Switches for the vSphere Blog contest. Please let me know what you might like to see done with powershell and vNetwork Distributed Switches. Any input is greatly appreciated!
VMware Fault Tolerance Setup and Best Practices
September 24th, 2009
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VMware FT is a new technology that provides another layer of protection to high availability in VMware vSphere 4. It uses a vLockstep technology to provide zero downtime in case of hardware failures. Just to be clear FT does not provide application level redundancy like Microsoft clustering services.
Below are the requirements for Fault Tolerance
- Shared storage
- 1Gb NIC’s
- VMkernel ports enabled for vMotion and FT Logging (preferably separate NIC’s)
- Compatible CPU’s (check VMware HCL)
- HA enabled Cluster
- ESX 4 Host versions must be identical
- Single Processor VM
- Thick provisioned disk
You can run the VMware Site Survey Tool which checks for FT compliance.
To enable a VM for Fault Tolerance you just need to Right-Click the VM, choose Fault Tolerance, turn on fault tolerance.
Here is a few of the best practices VMware recommends when using Fault Tolerance
- Use multiple NIC’s, HBA’s etc. for redundancy
- Isolate vMotion and FT Logging traffic
- Use consistent power management settings
- Limit the number of FT VM’s on a host to four
- Use 10Gb NIC for FT logging
- Synchronize guest OS time
- Use NTP on ESX servers
VCP Exams discount offered at VMworld 2009
July 21st, 2009
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The VCP4 and VCP3 exam will be offered at a discount at VMworld 2009. If you pre-register for the exam it will cost only $85US and if you register on-site the cost is $105US. You can register at Pearson Vue for both exams. You can also find more information on the VCP exams on VMware’s website. With such a deep discount this might be the time to at least test the VCP410 exam. This is a great chance to take the exams at a deep discount. With VMworld 2009 only a month away some might not have the time to be prepared for this challenging exam. At worst you’re out $85, but you will at least know what to expect on the exam if you need to re-take it. Just to note you will need to hold a VCP3 or take the VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage course to take the VCP410 exam. In the coming weeks I will post some of my study materials and tips on passing the VCP 410 exam at VMworld 2009. You can also refer back to my Tips on passing the VCP Exam post if you’re attempting the VCP3 test. Below are a few resources I have found to be helpful with the VCP 410 Exam
Professional VMWARE VCP4 Resource Page
Netapp Ditching FilerView
March 5th, 2009
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Looks like Netapp will be ditching it’s filerview and will be using a new interface based on Microsoft’s MMC Console called Netapp System Manager. I think this is a great idea, but hopefully they have a Linux/Mac equivalent. Filerview in my opinion is very unfriendly and I hate the fact you cannot manager multiple filers with in one filerview console. The new version looks like it will add some great features such as being able manage multiple filers within one console, some integration with VMware, some great dashboards and wizards. Storage Nuts and Bolts did a great write up on it here.
SRM Demo in a box with the Netapp Simulator
January 6th, 2009
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After seeing all the great post lately with SRM in a box with the EMC Celerra simulator. I came across SRM Demo in a box with the Netapp simulator. This article was written by Tomas Ten Dam over at www.tendam.info . He has some great SRM post so check them out here.
Will there be a VMworld 2009?
December 17th, 2008
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With all the talk about budgeting for VMworld 2009 I thought I might add different take on the Conference. Just recently Netapp had to cancel their annual conference due to the current state of the economy. Apple recently announced that Steve Jobs will not be delivering the keynote at Macworld Expo this year. Apple also announced that they won’t be participating in next years conference. Microsoft also announced they will be combine their two Tech Ed conferences this year.
I think a lot of companies this year will be looking how they can reach customers in different ways via Webcast, Webex’s, User Groups, Online Communities, etc. Instead of shelling out hundreds of thousands to sponsor technical conferences.
A lot of companies these days are not willing to send their employees to Las Vegas for week conference. This ends up costing a substantial amount of money when you include travel, room, meals, conference fees, work hours, etc.
After attending VMworld 2008 one thing is for certain that this conference will be around for many years to come. So it would be best to budget now! I am already excited about VMworld 2009 and it is still 9 Months away.
One thing that would be nice is if VMworld could provide an online VMworld experience. This would include a live Webcast to all VMworld sessions, Live labs, and any other type of VMworld experience that could be provided over the Web.
If you have never been to VMworld I highly recommend it. The VMworld experience is like no other conference. The content is great and the party will leave you memories for life.
Ubuntu 8.10 Released Today
October 30th, 2008
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Ubuntu 8.10 has been released today. Listed are a few of the important updates to Ubuntu 8.10
- Nautilus 2.24.1
- OpenOffice.org 2.4.1
- GIMP 2.6.1
- Firefox 3.0.3
- Brasero 0.8.2
- Rhythmbox 0.11.6
- Pidgin 2.5.2
If you have not had the pleasure of using Ubuntu you should really check it out. Currently most of the sites are to busy to download 8.10, but hopefully the demand will die down soon.
Tips on Passing the VMware Certified Professional (VCP) Exam
October 7th, 2008
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Back in June 2008 I passed the VCP 301 Exam. I thought it would be nice to share some of the resources I used to pass the VCP exam. Below is a list of resources that were used when studying for the exam.
- Real World Experience
- VMware Product Guides located here
- VMware Courseware
- VMware Blueprint located here
- VMware Mock Exam located here
- Study Guides from other VMware Community users located here.
The VMware Product guides are where you will find the bulk of the information you will need to study. There are a lot of guides, but you really need to study all of them. The courseware material from the Authorized VMware course will also help a lot, but just isn’t as in-depth as the product documentation. The mock exam will give you a good feel for the type of questions that will be presented to you on the real exam. Then the study guides from other users I found will help you create your own study guide to prepare you for the exam.
Overall the VCP exam isn’t really difficult, but you will need to know a lot of in-depth information. You will also need hands-on experience with the products there is NO substitute for this. Also you will need to invest a good amount of time into studying.
I wish anyone taking this test good luck and hope you find the experience valuable. If there are any questions you have please feel free to leave comments.
