Down the .net rabbit hole

[frostyk]

I was recently reading this excellent post http://www.vmspot.com/getting-started-with-vsphere-net-application-development-for-powercli-users/

It walks you through using the PowerCLI libraries to write some simple C# code in visual studio to do some basic vCenter actions.  I'm wondering if anyone here has dabbled in vsphere .net application dev here.  I was able to do part one and two of this post to display a list of VMs, hosts, and clusters then double click on a VM to spawn a window with some info on the VM and power operation buttons.  I'd really love to be able to spawn a console window from here, but I'm in search of more information on if this is possible. 

Does anyone here know of any good resources to go beyond what is in that article for vsphere .net app dev?  It looks like (of course) you can buy SDK support from VMware and they will answer those questions, but this is just an intellectual curiosity for me.  I'd love to be able to make simple apps that let my developers (each has a VM that they use to do their development) just launch an exe to open a console to their dev box.  Devs are a whiny bunch and full vSphere client usage is just another thing to complain about (and RDP is locked down to an unusable extent).

This might be a shot in the dark, but I figured people into PowerCLI automation might know of some good .net resources for vsphere.

[LucD]

If you didn't already do that, I suggest you also have a look at the VMware {code} site.

You'll find samples, SDKs...

[frostyk]

Yep I've poked around there a bit.  I probably should more.  I've also read your latest blog and the articles linked there in.  Good stuff.

I feel like most of the SDK stuff is geared more to career developers, which it probably should be.  What I liked about this article was that it was written when a non developer audience in mind.  It was more for the Systems Engineers who dabble a bit in code with PowerCLI, and that's right down my lane.  I think its a bit of an underrepresented voice maybe because most Systems guys stop at scripting and never take the plunge into compiled code.  Perhaps that just means its a perfect blog niche that needs filling.  .net Dev guides for the non developer.  Maybe if I get smart enough I'll write something heh.

[LucD]

Go for it, you already have one reader :smileygrin:

[miguelvelezwhit]

Make that two readers.  I was drawn to the rabbit hole thanks to trying to become well-versed in the .NET class libraries.  I saw them used in some of LucD's and others' scripting for values that have to be 'calculated'.  I've been seeing it lately as more of Pandora's Box as opposed to rabbit hole.  However, I do wish I had taken that blue pill. 

I'm part of the group that you referenced earlier.  As a Systems Engineer, it had been forever since I'd scripted, much less programmed.  Now I'm diving in with both feet and sometimes getting my butt kicked, but gradually over time, some of this stuff becomes 2nd nature - like it is for LucD.  I want to be just like him when I grow up. *LOL*

Anyway, keep in touch, both of you.  Whatever, you are experiencing is definitely relevant to me.  Anytime you need somebody to dive into the rabbit hole with you, 'i got your back'!!

Thanks as always for the inspiration.

Migs