"VMware Update Manager (VUM) is a component of VMware Infrastructure that automates patches and upgrades of ESX hosts as well as Windows and Linux virtual machines. A new white paper, VMware Update Manager Performance and Best Practices, is now available.

In this paper we discuss VUM 1.0 host deployment, latency, resource consumption, guest OS tuning, high-latency networks, and the impact of on-access virus scanning. We also provide performance tips to help customers tune the system for better performance."

Posted by Gabriel Maciel

From Yellow Bricks (Duncan Epping):

I’ve been doing VMware Design Reviews lately and so are my colleagues of the PSO department. A Design Review is quick scan of your design documentation by a VMware consultant. The consultant will hold your docs against best practices and propose changes to the design.

One of the things we encounter on a regular base is that admins took the easy path for their Storage Design zoning. So what’s zoning? In short: a way to partition your fabric into smaller subsets. These small subsets provide you with a better security and less interference...

Posted by Gabriel Maciel

This is the link to the VMware KB 1006543 article that compares the features between ESX and ESXi.

I find it to be a nice quick reference in case you need to determine if one specific feature is available or not for ESX or ESXi.

Posted by Gabriel Maciel

Fresh new videos from VMware:

• VI4 Fault Tolerance
• VI4 Host Profiles
• VI4 Distributed Virtual Switch

Enjoy!

Posted by Gabriel Maciel

It seems that the latest beta update of Workstation 6.5 is now available for download!

Also, this release no longer forces the debug-code and it will expire at the end of October (so the final bits are for sure almost ready).

Posted by Gabriel Maciel

This problem applies to all ESX 3.5 U2 hosts but should not affect you running VMs. Suggested Workarounds:

For the Virtual Machines:

• Set DRS to manual


• Do not VMotion


• Do not power off or suspend your VMs


• If you have important VMs you need to turn on again: a. Create a quarantine host b. Set time on this host back c. Cold migrate the VM to the quarantine host d. Verify that your VM does not synchronize its time with that ESX host: Power the VM on, log into it and set the time manually


• You could also think about temporarily disconnecting the VM to power on from the Virtual Switch - this way you are certain that the VM will not be able to communicate with a DC while it’s out of time-synch

Note: Please take into account that if you change the time on the affected ESX host and VMware tools is configure to synchronize the guest with it, you may adversely affect your running services.

For the ESX Host:

• Log in as root on the target host


• Issue the following commands:
  
  a. service ntpd stop
  
  b. date -s 08/01/2008

Note: This can also be done using the VI Client (Configuration, Software, Time Configuration, Properties).

Further reading and sources for this article:

• VMware Knowledge Base


• VMware Communities


• ICT_Freak


• Leo's Ramblings

Posted by Gabriel Maciel

"VMware, Inc. (NYSE:VMW), the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop to the datacenter, today announced new educational services and certification programs designed to help IT professionals build world-class virtual environments. The programs are designed for varied positions, including systems administrators, design architects, operators and managers who are interested in enhancing their knowledge and skills of VMware Infrastructure for datacenter and desktop environments. New education offerings include the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) and Live Online and Flex Online courses.

The VMware Education Program accelerates instruction and research in the rapidly expanding area of virtualized infrastructure by providing IT professionals with the knowledge necessary to deploy the virtualization technologies most widely used in commercial production environments. Educational courses for VMware products are available in over 60 countries, at over 300 training locations and in over 35 languages, through VMware and VMware Authorized Training Centers (VATC).

New to the education offerings are Live Online and Flex Online courses, available for the "VMware Infrastructure 3: Install and Configure" course, one of three courses that serve as a requirement to become a VMware Certified Professional. In the increasingly costly travel climate, Live Online and Flex Online provides students with a variety of options to help them decide how, when and where to attend their courses."

You can read the full article here.

Posted by Gabriel Maciel