I was just checking out the scripts on the VI Powershell Contest. There’s some really cool stuff on there. One of the things I noticed is that out of the 16 contestants so far at least 5 are from the Netherlands!!! Anyway, there are some cool scripts on this page, check it out. And if you think you are up to the challenge, enter the competition now cause there are only two days left!
News
Book: Deploying the VMware Infrastructure
There’s a new book launched at VMworld Vegas 2008! This book is written by John Arrasjid(VMware), Daniel Conde(VMware), Karthik Balachandran(VMware), Gary Lamb(INX) and Steve Kaplan(INX).
You can pre-order the book via Digital-Guru, and here’s there description just to give you an idea: Deploying the VMware Infrastructure is an introduction to the world of VMware virtualization technology written by hands-on experts in the field. This booklet explains virtualization, enumerates its many benefits, and describes a set of real-world use cases. Overviews are provided for each of the VMware server virtualization, desktop virtualization, and automation and infrastructure management products; and detailed information is given about virtualizing your infrastructure-from building a VMware Infrastructure and selecting candidates for migration, to managing and optimizing the virtual environment. Other topics include security and disaster recovery, virtual desktop infrastructure, and advanced capabilities such as high availability, virtual machine snapshots and consolidated backups. This booklet is highly recommended for anyone interested in virtualizing their IT infrastructure or expanding their knowledge of VMware Infrastructure, including managers, technical staff, and those new to virtualization or VMware technology.
ESX 3.0.3 available now!
For those that are still using 3.0.2 and are not looking to upgrade to 3.5 U2 yet, VMware just released 3.0.3! Don’t expect new features to popup. Version 3.0.3 is mainly about compatability and patches:
Processors
Newly supported processors are:
- Quad-Core AMD Opteron 8300 series and 2300 series processor families (collectively code-named Barcelona)
- Dual-core Intel Xeon 5200 series processors (code-named Wolfdale)
Drivers
Upgraded drivers are:
- igb driver version 1.0.0
- Broadcom 5722 tg3 driver version upgraded from 3.43.to 3.58b
- Emulex lpfc driver version upgraded to 7.3.2_vmw10
Guest Operating Systems
Newly supported guest operating systems are:
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Data Center Edition
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.1
Enhanced Patch and Upgrade Management
Significant improvements to the following patch management utilities:
- esxupdate Utility – Support for super-bundle and rollup features in esxupdate.
- Support for VMware Update Manager.
Service Console
Update for service console from RHEL3 U8 to RHEL3 U9.
Management Agents
Support for new versions of Management Agents:
- HP Insight Manager 8.1
- Dell OpenManage Server Administrator 5.4
- IBM Director 5.20 Update 1
Backup Software
Support for additional backup software from third-party vendors:
- EMC Networker Version 7.4 SP1
- IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Version 5.5
Quality Improvements
A significant number of issues have been fixed. Some of these issues have been described in Resolved Issues in this Release.
Get it while it’s stil hot and read the complete release notes here!
ESXi, pick it up for free now!
You can pick up a free ESXi 3.5U2 license now. Just login, fill out the questions and receive a free license! I will be updating my ESXi machine today!
ESXi for free….
VMware’s CEO Paul Maritz just announced that in the near future ESXi will be available for free, that’s right you can just download it. Support is optional and sold separately. ESXi will become available for free over the next couple of weeks.
Why is VMware doing this? Well I think because competition is growing and the hypervisor isn’t what the war is about. The war is about Management products and that’s where VMware can make a difference with products like Lab Manager, Stage Manager, Lifecycle Manager, Site Recovery Manager and VirtualCenter. Giving away your hypervisor for free is also a great way to have companies adopt virtualization!