Virtualization

Configuring Microsoft Hyper-V Virtual Networking

I just created and posted a new video on how to configure Microsoft Hyper-V virtual networking. This can be a bit confusing for those new to virtualization because you have this whole new concept of the virtual network. Also, configuring virtual networking is very different between Hyper-V and, say, VMware ESXi.

To watch the full video, click on the video screen below:

Running VMware vSphere inside VMware Workstation

I am working on my new Train Signal VMware vSphere training course. It will soon be released but, until then, click on the video below to watch an 18 minute demo that shows how to run VMware ESX 4 / vSphere inside VMware Workstation!

VMware vCenter Mobile Access (vCMA)

VMware is now offering a “technology preview” / beta of an upcoming new product - vCenter Mobile Access (vCMA). By installing this appliance in your virtual infrastructure, you will be able to remotely manage your ESX hosts and virtual machines. Here are some of the features of vCMA:

• Search for virtual machines in your data center
• Migrate virtual machines from one host to another using vMotion
• Execute recovery plans using VMware Site Recovery Manager
• Access Scheduled Tasks, Alarms and Events
• And much more…

For more information and to download vCMA, visit the vCenter Mobile Access webpage.

Use your iPhone or Blackberry to Manage VMware ESX and Hyper-V

Hyper9, the makers of the virtualization management, alerting, and troubleshooting tool, is about to release a new version of Virtualization Mobile Manager (VMM). With this tool, you can manage your VMware, Hyper-V, or Xen Infrastructure from your iPhone or Blackberry!

You can learn more about the VMM, how to download it, and learn about all the features at the Hyper9 VMM Community.

VMware vSphere Launch and Resources

Just about everyone has heard by now but, if you have not, you should know that VMware vSphere has been released. VMware’s new virtualization platform & suite is called vSphere but it encompasses many different VMware products like the new ESX4, vCenter, Data Recovery (VMware’s new backup/recovery application), and many more.

The great thing is that you can Download VMware vSphere for free, with a 60-day limited eval license, and try it out for yourself!

But what about resources you might need to learn about it or test it? Here are some vSphere resources you should take a look at from VMware:

• VMware’s vSphere Support Center
• VMware vSphere Upgrade guide

And then, Eric Siebert has compiled a great collection of vSphere related links and guides at:

• The Missing Links - Every vSphere Link You Need to Get Started
• VMware vSphere Launch pad
• vSphere Evaluators Guide

Video: Installing VMware ESX Server

Over at SearchVMware.com they have published a sample video from my VMware ESX Server video training course. This video shows you how to install VMware ESX Server, step by step. Click the video below to watch…

Who deserves VMware’s new award - the vExpert ?

If you are familiar with Microsoft MVP, VMware’s new vExpert is a similar concept. Both are yearly awards to people who contribute to their respective product communities (Microsoft or VMware). You can nominate yourself or others can nominate you. There is no monetary award but perhaps some software and access to special forums will be awarded. Still, the biggest benefit is that you can associate the term “vExpert” with your name.

Keep in mind that VMware is only accepting vExpert nominations until Feb 6, 2009.

Read more about the VMware vExpert here and feel free to nominate any VMware experts (maybe, like me) to be a VMware vExpert in 2009.

-David Davis, VCP, and VMware ESX training video author, www.VMwareVideos.com

Top 10 YouTube Hacking Vidoes

I really enjoyed Jamey Heary’s NetworkWorld.com article covering the Top 10 YouTube Hacking Videos. While there were may interesting and funny videos, the one that I found most interesting (as I am interested in Virtualization) was the virtual machine hacking video:

For more information, read the full article at - Top 10 YouTube Hacking Videos.

VIDEO: Cisco Nexus 1000-V

I have blogged a few times in the past about the Cisco Nexus 1000-V. See:

• Is Cisco selling a new car? Or what is the Cisco Nexus 7000?
• How will the Cisco Nexus 1000V change your job role?
• Cisco taking greater investment in VMware - both with cash and Nexus

However, as the saying goes, these have been “all talk and no action”. Well, what I mean is that you didn’t get to “see it” in any of these posts and, if you are a visual person like me, it can be tough to imagine a new Cisco virtual switch from a bunch of words.

Now, you can see the Nexus 1000-V by watching this new Cisco video:

One of my fav VMware ESX free tools

One of my favorite new VMware ESX Server free tools is VM Explorer (VMX) by Trilead. This is a free tool (commercial version also available) that is used to backup, restore, and perform basic management of VMware ESX hosts. Some of the coolest features are- 

• server to server backup (including backup to the windows PC running VMX or a Linux server)
• Snapshot management
• SSH to the console of the server
• Scheduled backup (with the upgraded commericial version)
• and more

One of the coolest things is that the free version has just about every feature except the scheduled backup. Download your copy of VM Explorer and try it out for yourself!