Plain Virtualization

With the recent Heartbleed security issue on software which utilized the OpenSSL version 1.0.1.  As of 20th April 2014, VMware has release all Security Advisory of all affected producted as listed here .  Products that are utilizing OpenSSL below 1.0.1 are not affected as listed. VMware has put in great effort to release all these security patches since the discovery announced on 14th April 2014 and release of the first patch on the day after. The advice is to at least apply all security advisory as recommended at soonest to avoid any security breach.

Many of us always need to or want to do some testing for some solution using vSphere or preparing or some exams e.g. VCAP.  However sometimes you just didn't have enough resources or physical hosts.  Just like me I am running a home lab and would need 1 or 2 extra ESX servers if possible. I find documents around the internet and some are not really updated.  So here I have consolidated to help you better. Do note the places are slightly different for vSphere Client and the vSphere Web Client.  I have provided the screenshots for easy reference. First create a Virtual Machine (doesn't matter which OS you choose as you will not find any ESX server in the drop down list even if you choose Windows, Linux or Other). After creation, in vSphere Client, go to Edit Settings of the virtual machine.  Under Options tab, General Options change your OS.  Here you will find ESXi listed. For Web Client, please see screenshot below:  vSphere Client vSphere Web Client

I often been asked and also have to refer internally what does vCenter Operations Manager (vC Ops) support in terms of plugin or adapters to what 3rd parties functions or software (in this case they are call packs). During a search recently, I realize VMware Solution Exchange contains all these plugins or adapters and I thought I should just share this.  For vC Ops, you can go directly here .  You will be entitled to these adapters (any licensing requirements please check with specific vendors) depending on the vC Ops editions you own.  For only Advanced and Enterprise would have some free adapters for use and is classified in the page.  For Advanced, other than Hyperic and AWS, most of the adapters are related to Storage performance metrics. For Enterprise Edition, you will see more 3rd parties monitoring tools like SCOM, IBM Tivoli, TeamQuest, etc are available.  Also Enterprise Edition will be able to use Advanced adapters too. A simple screenshot of the listed adapters belo

With April's Fool day in US, came the announcement of the results .  Of course this is not an April's Fool joke definitely.  Definitely the program team has put in much effort to release this results in just less than 2 months. This year we have a great number of vExperts, a total of 754.  That is a great increased from last year 581.  This is indeed great news as we are seeing the communities has grown tremendously. Of course if you missed out the application or just started in contributing in whichever ways in the VMware communities, you can still apply for vExpert 2014 every quarterly with the new initiative of vExpert 2014 program as I have previously mentioned here .  The application form is open all year round and results will be announced every quarterly. Once again congrats to all existing and new vExpert to the group.  Hope to see more of you been awarded. Update 21st Aug 2014 Once again there are many companies sponsoring and providing benefits for vExperts

In my previous posts on Horizon Mirage, Installation on Mirage 3.6 What's New in Horizon Mirage 4.2 What's New in Horizon Mirage 4.3 You would have find some of the things like e.g. leaving blank for SQL server entry if you are using the default instance name. Also Best Practice to upgrade Horizon Mirage can be found in a KB here . In Horizon Mirage 4.4, you will enter the SQL server name without the SQL instance name if you have use the default instance name e.g. MSSQLSERVER (in this case it's call unnamed instance not sure why).  This is required as shown during installation of Horizon Mirage Management Server and Horizon Mirage Server as shown below:   In Horizon Mirage there are a few changes.   The main new added is the Edge server.  Now instead of placing your Mirage Server in the DMZ and be compromise with security attacks or require a need of using VPN, now you have a Edge server to handle that piece just like what in Horizon View Security server d