vSphere Web Client is so bad that my experience managing and supporting VMware has turn to....

[kgottleib]

Purpose of this post is simple and obvious...  bring back development to thick client.  THANKS!

[Scott_G1]

markzz you make some great points. I too have be using VMware since the early days. My company has kept one of its environments on 5.0 due to the web client issues and the fact that VMware is pushing us, at least in 5.5, to use the web client to manage day to day operations of VM's. One great point you make is regarding Microsoft. I have been looking at Hyper-V for years and as I told my company last year, the functionality is almost there but the client, VMM, is not as good as the C# client. If that goes away all bets are off. VMware needs to listen to us with this. As the people who spend, in my companies case, hundreds of thousands of dollars a year and use the product every day we know what we want, what we need and what we will not use.

[Naashan]

Thanks markzz, I couldn't have said it better myself. I really hate to begin considering Microsoft...

[Cyberfed27]

^^^ What these guys are saying.

I have been a loyal VMware customer for over a decade as well. However the horrible webclient needs to be resolved. I have peronsally been responsible for companies spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on VMware based on my recommendations. If VMware continues on this path I don't think I will be able to give that recommendation. Hyper-V is looking more and more appealing and cost effective. I also cannot agree more that I would never (nor anyone I work with) try to manage VMware from a tablet or worse a phone.

I'm watching closely VMware our money is on the table. YOU decide if it goes to your pockets or Microsoft's.

[markzz]

I don't want to make it appear I'm taking from kgottleib being the initiator of this thread.. BUT..

If you have something to say on this subject.. Please post a response..

If you don't voice your opinion no matter if that opinion is supportive of this thread or you love the WEB Client and therefore appose this line of discussion, please make comment..

If you are not voicing your opinion you are not part of the resolution.. I guess therefore your part of the problem.

[MadG33k]

If you don't voice your opinion no matter if that opinion is supportive of this thread or you love the WEB Client and therefore appose this line of discussion, please make comment..

Absolutely right. So here's my comment...

I am brand new to vSphere, having gotten it just a year ago. We would not be running it if not for the combination of ESXi and the Web Client. While our shop has plenty of Windows in it, the majority of our virtualized servers are Linux, and our expertise lies there.

Having a management interface that is not dependent on Windows is a win for us, and I for one appreciate the fact that VMware moved in this direction. Could it perform better? Yes. Do I want them to quit development on it and go back to a vCenter management interface where I'd have to run a virtualized desktop to run the management interface, or couldn't access it remotely, or couldn't check on the health of my servers from my iPad? No.

Keep moving forward, VMware.

[wojtowvm]

I am brand new to vSphere, having gotten it just a year ago. We would not be running it if not for the combination of ESXi and the Web Client. While our shop has plenty of Windows in it, the majority of our virtualized servers are Linux, and our expertise lies there.

Having a management interface that is not dependent on Windows is a win for us, and I for one appreciate the fact that VMware moved in this direction. Could it perform better? Yes. Do I want them to quit development on it and go back to a vCenter management interface where I'd have to run a virtualized desktop to run the management interface, or couldn't access it remotely, or couldn't check on the health of my servers from my iPad? No.

What?  Wait.  Flash is not supported on iPad, and a modern enough version to run the vSphere web-client is not supported on linux. (as Adobe quit supporting linux on Flash several versions ago)  

Yes, I know there are some unsupported 3rd-party workarounds that sort of make some flash apps kind-of work on both platforms, but certainly this is iffy at best, and are not something updated for the many, many vulnerabilities that the Flash format has.

In either case, the required vmWare browser plug-in, necessary to make key features such as console access work, is not available on iPad or linux.

[MadG33k]

What?  Wait.  Flash is not supported on iPad, and a modern enough version to run the vSphere web-client is not supported on linux. (as Adobe quit supporting linux on Flash several versions ago) 

Ah, my apologies, for I did not intend to conflate the iPad vSphere Client with the Web interface.

But, by the same token, I did not say I was running Linux on my desktop, only that most of our servers were Linux. On the desktop, I am running a different, commercial flavor of UNIX, OS X. And that does have a solid implementation of Flash available for it.

Thanks for allowing me to clarify those points.

[robroygregg]

I agree with all the negative comments people have made about the Web client.

I think it's an astronomical regression from the C# client in ease of use and performance, and should be scrapped.

[dchit]

It's hysterical that their idea of improving the Web Client is moving the "tasks" window from the side to the bottom.

"What!  You've moved the task window to the bottom!  Well all is forgiven!  It's so perfect now!!!"

They must be kidding.   Put a little more lipstick on that pig. 

It's obvious they are not hearing us at all.

[MadG33k]

I find the rhetoric used in this thread amusing, and reminiscent of rants used in the consumer software space. I am sympathetic to those who find the new UI difficult to live with. However, permit me an aside...

As someone who's worked in and around development shops for 30+ years, I simply want to remind people that one or two minor releases of a brand new tool does not indicate a trend, nor a final product. This shows a starting point for new features, and probably a lot of those new features would never have fit into the original product.

It's also good to know that VMware has not dropped compatibility with the proprietary Windows client, allowing those who are better served by using that to continue to use it, at least until such time as essential features migrate out of the Windows-only world into the web-based interface.

I'm not saying this to defend the new UI (I, personally, loathe anything to do with Flash, and this is a critical piece of software to be dependent upon such a (expletive deleted) third-party add-on), but just as a reminder of what it's like to have to ship a new product with a product roadmap, while replacing a deprecated product. Rather than moaning about how bad things are, a little constructive criticism might be due so that VMware can actually focus on improving the product. Too many rants will end up deafening those ears you are trying to reach.

Personally, I'd like to see the initial load times of the whole Monitoring area improved.

Just my 2¢...

[chrmaier]

MadG33k schrieb:

It's also good to know that VMware has not dropped compatibility with the proprietary Windows client, allowing those who are better served by using that to continue to use it

You are kidding, aren't you? They allow to edit machines with compatibility to version 8. The actual version is 10.

[hostasaurus]

And you wonder why companies don't want Flash on their management networks...

Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Flash Player 12.0.0.44 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh and Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.336 and earlier versions for Linux. These updates address vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. Adobe is aware of reports that an exploit for CVE-2014-0502 exists in the wild, and recommends users update their product installations to the latest versions:

[TBKing]

Maybe if they rename the Web Client to something else it will get a better reception.

They've tried it with most of their other products.

[IGaLaXyI]

Well I have to agree with the most of you.

The Web Client is so slowly... I try to use it (because the VIC will end), but I I still go back to the VIC to get some work done...

I have to say, that I like some of the new features, for example to put a task to the side to go on for later.

But don't wanna talk more about the plus and minus, cause it's all already said here many times.

Take a look here:

VMworld TV Interview: Mike Foley of VMware demos vSphere 6.0 - YouTube

The best thing i heard there ist that the VIC can still be used with vSphere 6.0 and can now edit Version 10!

The next point is that he says the Web Client got improved (he says A LOT).

-> Improved Performance

-> Optimized Respond time

-> Layout changed

So at this point I have to say: Thank you VMware. Thanks to have an ear on the community.

I'm curious to test it and will give it a try:

So guys join Beta

VMware vSphere Beta Landing Page

[andreaspa]

Ooops, my OOO made a post here - sorry about that!

Happy holidays and happy new year!

Message was edited by: Andreas Paulsson

[kgottleib]

Thanks Andreas!   Same to you!  

[ph1819]

If you want vmware to change the client you need to call into their support center and create a flood of tickets for every thing that is related to configuration through the web client that causes you pain.  they will respond to what costs them money which is support of the web client.  if someone already said this excuse the redundant post.

[PLCHelpDesk]

I heard that VMware is going to offer a fully updated C# client.  I certainly hope that is true.  I can not stand using the web client.

[gerts]

That would be really great. But I have my doubts whether it's true. Where do you have the information from?

[andreaspa]

I somehow doubt that, perhaps they are just renaming the web client to "vSphere C# Client" and introduce it as a new product?

(Off topic: Let's have a guessing game on how many products VMware will rename this year, my $.50 is on 5 products)