Yellow Bricks

by Duncan Epping

Server

VMware tools version?

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A couple of weeks ago I contacted Rob, the man behind RVTools, and asked him if he could add an export or copy+past functionality to his amazing tool “RVTools”. This amazing tool checks the VMware tools version and gives you the option to update them all at once. Rob updated his tool today:

Version 1.1
Changes: May 10, 2008
You can copy the selected datagrid values with ctrl-c to the clipboard. The header text is automatically included. After this you can paste the clipboard data to your favorite editor.
The login form remembers the names and/or IP addresses of the entered ESX hosts and/or VirtualCenter servers.
You can use a filter to display only the “templates” or “virtual machines”.
Annotations “notes” field is visible in the datagrid.
http://rvtools.deveij.com

Especially the copy and paste option is handy for those who do consultancy like me, thanks Rob for adding this feature and for this excellent tool! Nextup converting it into a VirtualCenter plugin?!? 😉

ESXi for just $ 99

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Dell announced yesterday that ESXi will cost only $99. (source: virtualization.info) Citrix Xenserver will cost you $299. I’m really curious how HP, IBM and Fujitsu are going to respond to this. And what is Microsoft going to do with this very competitive pricing. Anyway, what ever happens Dell and VMware just woke everybody up and the customers are definitely the one who will benefit!

New VMware certification available within a month!

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Gerben just blogged about it, and I blogged about it several times over the last couple of months but as of next month the new certification is available:

source
The VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) on VMware Infrastructure 3 is an advanced certification developed for design architects of VMware enterprise deployments.

There are four core validation components to achieve VCDX.

(1) Must be certified as a VMware Certified Professional (VCP) on VMware Infrastructure 3.

(2) Pass the VMware Enterprise Administration Exam. Includes live labs and tests a higher level of skill set than the exam for VCP on VMware Infrastructure 3.

(3) Pass the VMware Design Exam. This exam focuses on actual design scenarios and contains simulations and situational questions.

(4) Submit, present and defend a successful VMware Infrastructure design and implementation plan.
Blueprint

New ESX(i) 3.5 patches

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VMware just released a whole bunch of patches. Check it:

New patches are available for ESX Server 3.5/3i.

Please follow the instructions on the appropriate patch download page.

VMware ESX Server 3.5 Patch Download Page

ESX350-200804401-BG (Critical): Prevent DHCP from resetting the IP address and netmask when trying to acquire or renew a lease. Change the default multipath policy for all HDS modular storage arrays such as AMS, SMS, WMS, 9500V to “fixed”.

ESX350-200804402-BG (Critical): Prevent the guest from stalling for a long time during snapshot operations. Prevent the ESX Server host from crashing during snapshot consolidation. Prevent the ESX Server host from rebooting while powering on a vSMP virtual machine on a Unisys ES7000/one with eight or fewer logical CPUs. Fix emulation of instructions that access I/O ports. Fix emulation of string instructions on 64-bit guest operating systems.

ESX350-200804403-BG (Critical): Prevent hostd from crashing due to incompatible entries in /etc/vmware/hostd/authorization.xml. Allow spaces in a password while creating and editing local ESX Server users through the VI Client. Set the executable bit for .vmx configuration files. Fix a vmware-vpxa crash caused by invalid UTF-8.

ESX350-200804404-BG (General): Allow Windows virtual machines to boot when DataDigest is enabled in software iSCSI.

ESX350-200804405-BG (General): Include a megaraid2 driver fix for UNISYS platforms.

ESX350-200804406-BG (General): Add support for the Intel PRO/1000 PF Quad Port Server Adapter.

ESX350-200804407-BG (Critical): Add support for the Broadcom HT-1100 SATA/IDE controller. Prevent path thrashing during an Invista all paths down condition.

VMware ESX Server 3i Patch Download Page

ESXe350-200804401-I-BG (Critical): Fix typographic errors in the message strings of storage controller battery status, which is displayed in the VI Client. Include fixes for issues addressed by the following 3.5 patch bundles: ESX350-200804401-BG, ESX350-200804405-BG, ESX350-200804405-BG, ESX350-200804403-BG, and ESX350-200804407-BG.

We expect the next patch release in May 2008