Good VMWare [Official] blogs

Good VMWare blog sites

Networking Blog

http://blogs.vmware.com/networking/

VMware Infrastructure

http://blogs.vmware.com/vi/

VMWORLD2007 and NETAPPS Presentation

Below link contains very good information about using NETAPPS in ESX Environment.Please have a look, it includes all the PDF’s which was were presented in the VMWORLD 2007.

http://www.netapp.com/go/techontap/matl/VMworld07.html

I came to know about this from http://scalethemind.blogspot.com, another good site, worth to bookmark.

Some notes on VCB

Let me give some advance things which I learnt on VCB today

• VCB solution is only useful for backing up MS windows based VMs
• VCB required windows 2003 server(nothing below than this) and it can’t be installed on same server as Virtual center server
• VCB Proxy also needs to be presented with same LUN, which are presented to the ESX Server of which VM’s you need to backup
• VCB Proxy (the actual name) cannot have more than 1 HBA, Multi-path is not supported by VMWare, so No PowerPath and etc. [Just came to know, that if you upgrade it to VCB 1.0.3 multi-pathing is not a issue, thanks to Scott]
  
• The location where you wish to mount VM image on VCB proxy must have space at least 2-3 VM’s data to be backed up.

There is already very good docs available on VCB, so I don’t wish to repeat the same thing. Other thing I just came across from http://www.petri.co.il site there is video hidden inside the VMware site, please check the link here, Video is practical VCB and not entire VCB but then I would say it is Good thing to invest 15 min.

And lastly, Become virtual famous video award his given, the Guys who got it not only deserve it but they have been truly generous enough to denote that money to charity. You guys are truly amazing. Check Here. I would certainly likely to get that songs…“If the server goes down……”

Virtual Center Database size calculator

How to calculate DB size for Virtual Center. This is quick excel sheet calculator from VMware, hope you will find it useful. I got this link from Advance technical design guide

www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/vc_db_calculator.xls

VMware Infrastructure 3: Advanced Technical Design Guide

Three great guys and one great way of sharing knowledge. I’ve just read finishing 110 pages of this book. At all point I felt someone is talking to me, explaining me and that as well filled with great humor. My words will fall short for this book. This book reaches a cult status in my heart for one  great reason and that is book comes free. I’m not sure about the entire book, after reading this book I feel very few of us will resist buying this book.

 

More information: www.vi3book.com

 

 

ESX on WhiteBOX

I would like to share with you that I have successfully configured ESX on non-supported HCL, Before I start on it, I would like to share with you all that there is way that you can install ESX with vmware workstation 6.0. Link is here, but remember one thing you need to have VT enabled processor for it to work. I tried on my laptop it definately got installed but after rebooting it, it failed to move further. It got stuck, there might be some solution for that as well.

Lets hear my story.

I got

Intel Pentium D dual core 3.2 GHZ

2 GB RAM

Fuztisu SCSI Disk 36 GB

SCSI Disk controller AHA-2940AU

Realtek NIC/Intel Pro100

Intially I got problem, where in installed failed to detect the network boot device. I was thinking that this is SCSI Card issue. But later on I put this in a forum I got response in microseconds. It was my realtek which was not on HCL List. So got intel card and there I got…myESX up and running. Always keep in mind VMWare forum is best place to get quick solutions. This configuratio costed me just 700 dollars(Singapore). Please search in forum for white box before configuring ESX on Non-Supported hardware.

VCP and then VMWare Workstation 6

Today I received Workstation 6 code, This I got a Gift for passing VCP and not Workstation 5. Great thing about this is I can Installed on XP Home, and above all I’ve successfully installed win2k3 and it runs as low as 512 MB, flawless performance. Absolutely genius

Below is the procedure for using your using code which you would recieve after passing VCP exam( in 30 days) and downloading Workstation 6 and activating ACE

1.    Go to http://www.vmware.com/vmwarestore/ .

2.    Click on “Buy Workstation”.

3.    Click on “Quick Buy” for either VMware Workstation 6 (for Windows) or

or VMware Workstation 6 (for Linux Systems).

4.    Log in *using your VMware store account*

(or create one and then log in).

5.    When you get to the “Checkout — Payment” page, enter the

Discount Code that we sent in your earlier email.  Remember to:

a.    Include the hyphens. (-‘s)

b.    Enter zeroes, not letter o’s.

c.    Enter ones, not letter I’s.

d.    Use upper case letters, not lower case letters.

6.    Finish the purchase process.

7.    Wait for an email from VMware that includes your Workstation 6

serial number.

8.    Follow the instructions in that email.  They will include

Instructions to:

a.  Click on a link to register your Workstation 6 serial number.

b.  Click on a second link to download Workstation 6.

9.    Go to the link for ACE:

http://www.vmware.com/vmwarestore/newstore/wkst_aop_redeem.jsp.

10.   Input your Workstation 6 serial number.

11.   Wait for an email with an ACE Option Pack Promotion Code

and an ACE Client License Key.

12.   Install Workstation 6.

13.   On the Help menu in Workstation 6, choose Enter Serial Number.

14.   In the field labeled Serial Number, enter your

ACE Option Pack Promotion Code. (This action will unlock

ACE authoring capabilities.)

15.   Exit Workstation 6 and then restart Workstation 6.  (The product

title should now display as VMware Workstation ACE Edition.)

16.   Create an ACE you’ll want to use on a second PC. (For example,

the Pocket ACE feature enables you to deploy a virtual

machine to be run from a portable flash media device.)

17.   Copy your ACE to the second PC (or attach your Pocket ACE to

the second PC.)

18.   Power on your ACE.

19.   On the VMware Player menu, choose “Enter ACE Client License”.

(The ACE Client License Key (List Price US $99) is included

free with your ACE Option Pack.)

20.   Enter the ACE Client License Key you received in the last email.

21.   Start using your ACE!

VMWare and Dell

Last time I mentioned VMWare and HP configuration, now I came across Dell and VMWare configuration.

www.dell.com/vmware and you are there.

Thank you

- Preetam

VMworld 2006 Conference Sessions Overview

VMworld 2006 Conference Sessions Overview

Even though link is one year old, it is still valid and Rich with knowledge.

Thanks

VMWARE -Good Information

Solutions from HP for VMware, must visit site for HP solutions and talks in general virtualization

Solutions from HP for VMWARE

Also there is good Lab available ON-Line for trying out VMware servers, though it comes with cost, I found it withing budget if you could share with two people

VirtualizationInfo-rent-A-Lab