Posted by mike on Jul 26, 2010 in VMware | 5 comments
The current issue I have come across in our HP storage environment is an issue with the storage controller cache battery modules. We had a module fail recently on one of our 8100 series EVAs. There can be up to four modules per controller. In our environment, we are using two modules per controller.
A healthy set of modules looks like this:
Now, for the EVA we have problems with, it looks like this:
This problem occurred after we had this particular module fail. We received a replacement from HP and swapped it out. However, after a few days, it was marked as failed again. Again we received a replacement from HP, and swapped it out. A few days later, same result. In contacting HP a third time, I explained what had occurred. In response, I received this notification:
This is just another somewhat oddball error that we deal with on a regular basis. Now, on to the fix! To restart the controller in question, first note as per Command View which controller is in question. In my case, it is Controller A (just follow the bang indicators)
A restart of the controller should be done during your change / maintenance window (all those years of ITIL ingrained in me!). To do so, you have a few choices.
The first is via Command View:
On the controller’s page, hit shutdown, then restart and the controller (A/B).
The second is via the SSSU utility (installs as part of the Command View install):
Restart controller A, but not its peer controller:
RESTART “\Hardware\Rack 1\Enclosure 7\Controller A” NOALL_PEERS
Note that when restarting the controller, if it is the master controller the vdisks will transfer to the other controller without any downtime. In my experience with the EVAs, they are a touchy lot. I prefer using the SSSU utility for a halfway decent command line interface. Pretty powerful too. I’ll be writing up a blog posting discussing good uses for SSSU in the future.
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Posted by Brian on Jul 24, 2010 in VMware, vSphere | 17 comments
By now you’re sure to have heard that vSphere 4.1 offers the ability to use Active Directory for authentication. This is something that has been on peoples wish lists for sometime now. There was some hacks to make this work on the previous versions, but they were a use at your own risk option. With AD integration you can use your normal domain user accounts that poses admin rights already to authenticate with your ESX servers. This will help keep things in sync and keep you from having to manually create local accounts on your ESX hosts. If you were just using Virtual Center or vCenter server the new name it has always been able to use Active Directory for authentication.
There are a couple of different ways that you can enable AD integration ( vSphere client, vCLI, scripting or Host Profiles). In this post I will cover the method through vSphere client.
Brian is a Technical Architect for a VMware partner and owner of this website. He is active in the VMware community and is helps lead the Chicago VMUG group. This blog Virtualize Tips was started to document and remember things that I come across while working with tech.
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Posted by Brian on Jul 21, 2010 in Certification, VMware | 2 comments
For at least the near term the newly released VCAP exam for Administrators will remain focused on vSphere ESX and ESXi 4.0. This was confirmed with John Hall and announced on the Bi Weekly brown bag study sessions hosted by Cody Bunch of Professions VMware. This kind of gives a mixed signal when it comes to VMware exams. Previously it was reported that the VCP exam’s would always be based on the most recent version of the product available. This meant that sometime this fall the VCP would be updated to reflect the changes in ESX 4.1. But the announcement that the VCAP will stay on vSphere 4.0. This decision must be due to the huge investment of time spent developing the new VCAP certifications and not having enough time to switch gears with the recent release.
Brian is a Technical Architect for a VMware partner and owner of this website. He is active in the VMware community and is helps lead the Chicago VMUG group. This blog Virtualize Tips was started to document and remember things that I come across while working with tech.
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Posted by Brian on Jul 21, 2010 in VMUG, VMware | 0 comments
There has been talk about changes to the VMUG program coming and a steering committee meeting took place earlier this year in Chicago. This appears to be some of the upcoming changes that are a result of the planning and new direction. I am waiting to hear how this will have a positive or negative affect on the VMUG program.
VMware User Group Members,
As announced earlier this year, VMware is supporting the establishment of an independent, customer-led, customer-driven global VMware User Group (VMUG). The VMUG Steering Committee has been focused on forming the structure for this new organization and we are pleased to announce the inaugural VMware User Group Board of Directors.
| Name |
Position |
VMUG Local Group |
| Mariano Maluf |
President |
Atlanta, GA (USA) |
| Charlie Gautreaux |
Vice-President |
Charlotte, NC (USA) |
| Scott Elliott |
Secretary/Treasurer |
SW Ontario (Canada) |
| Virgil |
Director |
Brisbane (Australia) |
| Ben Clayton |
Director |
Kansas City, MO (USA) |
| Rod Gabriel |
Director |
Wisconsin (USA) |
| Matt McLaughlin |
Director |
Iowa (USA) |
| Viktor van den Berg |
Director |
Netherlands (Europe) |
| Chris Harney |
Director |
New England (USA) |
| Jodi Shely |
Director |
Omaha, NE (USA) |
| Kathi Kaplan |
VMware Board Member |
VMware |
| Teresa Streit |
VMware Board Member |
VMware |
The board is comprised of a group of experienced VMUG leaders whose knowledge, expertise and vision will provide an invaluable contribution to the VMUG organization. There is much for this Board of Directors to accomplish, as we look forward to the formal launch of the independent VMUG at VMworld in San Francisco this coming August.
The board has developed a VMUG mission statement to reflect the new organization:
The VMware User Group is an independent, global, customer-led organization, which maximizes members’ use of VMware and partner solutions through knowledge sharing, training, collaboration, and events.
The VMware User Group is a user community—of the users, for the users, by the users. Through an independent global VMUG, we believe we can strengthen our collective VMware and VMUG value proposition with expanded collaboration, member programs, and benefits.
As a VMUG member, your feedback and ideas will be critical to improving the VMUG experience and taking it to the next level. We believe that some of the benefits of the new model will be:
- Tap into new VMUG member benefits and programs, such as Special Interest Groups and VMware technical education offerings
- Increase your value to your organization by becoming the recognized VMware subject matter expert through knowledge and contacts gained through VMUG
- Gain more direct access to VMware subject matter experts
- Become part of a global, collective customer voice, impacting VMware products/services
While we are planning the official launch of the new group for August, there are several ways VMUG is already driving value to the members:
- The VMUG Voice—VMUG’s monthly newsletter—will provide news and updates for members
- New member recruitment activities at all VMware events
- Development of new onsite program for VMUG Regional Events
- VMware Technical Sponsors have been assigned to all VMUG Local Groups
- VMUG members will receive the discounted “Early Bird” pricing throughout the VMworld registration period
As we work to establish an independent VMUG, we want you to know that your voice will be heard. To that end, the VMUG Board of Directors is conducting a short survey of our members to better understand the members’ vision for VMUG and define the VMUG value proposition. It should only take about ten minutes of your time and all results will be kept completely confidential. In addition, all survey respondents can enter to win an Apple iPad—just complete the survey by July 30.
We look forward to hearing your feedback and ideas about the new organization. Please direct all communications to memberservices@myvmug.org or 1.800.606.8695.
Together we look forward to launching the new VMUG at VMworld and we hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
The VMware User Group Board of Directors
Brian is a Technical Architect for a VMware partner and owner of this website. He is active in the VMware community and is helps lead the Chicago VMUG group. This blog Virtualize Tips was started to document and remember things that I come across while working with tech.
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Posted by Brian on Jul 20, 2010 in Tools, VMware | 0 comments
After a recent release of a comparison chart from VMware marketing it appears that VKernel is also taking the gloves off. In the past the two parties seem to be playing nice and VMware was not actively marketing the CapacityIQ product. But VMware seems to be on the attack now and is no longer going to concede this segment to third parties. I recently received the email listed below from VKernel as their response to VMware’s actions, They feel their product stands up against VMware CapacityIQ and is willing to offer administrators a challenge.
Hi There,
You may have seen a recent VMware marketing sheet comparing VMware CapacityIQ to VKernel’s products. We are flattered by their attention!
So here is our challenge: download CapacityIQ from VMware and do the same for Capacity Analyzer. See which one more accurately shows current performance bottlenecks in your VM environment or predicts future bottlenecks.
If we lose, dinner is on us from Omaha Steaks, or we will make a $100 contribution to a charity of your choice.
Either way, you will end up with a full belly or a VM environment free of performance problems.
Best regards,
Bryan Semple
CMO, VKernel
Blog: http://blog.vkernel.com
VKernel Corp.
300 Brickstone Square, Suite 503
Andover, MA 01810
Brian is a Technical Architect for a VMware partner and owner of this website. He is active in the VMware community and is helps lead the Chicago VMUG group. This blog Virtualize Tips was started to document and remember things that I come across while working with tech.
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