Tag Archives: VMware

networkvirt

Revision notes from VMware Network Virtualization Fundamentals Course

Networking, VMware, , , , , , , ,

VMware released a free course around Network Virtualization Fundamentals, which maps to the first steps on the ladder for all things NSX. It is also recommended by VMware to take the course before taking on the VCA-NV.

I urge anyone looking into NSX to take this course, you can’t argue with the price after all!!! Secondly, although there are many NSX posts online name, Brad Hedlund has some of the best posts in my opinion.

Check the NSX-Link-O-Rama aswell.

And finally, the NSX Compendium over at Network Inferno

Below are my notes I took whilst going through the course.

The Basics
Virtual switch
  • Ports organised into port groups
  • Uplinks connect virtual switch to physical network
  • Connections to support virtual infrastructure

Virtual standard switches – configuration per host, therefore needs to be replicated exactly to all hosts

  • Port groups
  • VMkernel Ports
  • Uplink Ports
  • Policies at virtual switch level can be over-ridden  at port group level
  • VLAN’s set at port group level and VMKernal Port level only
  • No support for things like STP, as virtual switches cannot be connected to one another, nor do they learn MAC addresses.

vsphere-network-standard-switch

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veeam 2014 logo color tag

Veeam Hidden Feature – Backup Validator

General, VMware, , , , , , ,

So the other day I was using the Veeam Backup Extractor Tool, located in the installation folder, when I noticed another .exe file that I hadn’t paid attention to previously.

  • Veeam.Backup.Validator.exe

This a CLI based tool, and does exactly as the name suggests, validates backups.

You can access it by running command prompt;

  •  CD “C:\Program Files\Veeam\Backup and Replication\Backup”
  • Veeam.Backup.Validator.exe and your arguments(to see the full options, see at the bottom)

This is a handy little tool for validating the backup files, and can probably be scripted as well. However unlike the SureBackup feature, it will not guarantee that once the files have been restored, the Virtual Machine’s operating system is intact and in a working condition.

An example of its use

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vmware

VMware NSX – Just an introduction

Networking, VMware, , , , , , , ,

With my background in Networking and Virtualisation, VMware’s NSX is something which interests me deeply, as such I’ve attended a handful of sessions online, and also at the UK VMUG where Chris Whal presented on the subject.

Here’s my own interpretation of this new technology.

What is NSX?

Its software-defined networking, you don’t need to buy any hardware to implement it, although you do need a running VMware environment.

2014-11-30_22-00-16

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Student Revising

Taking Exams? Know your learning style

General, , , , , ,

I’ve noticed a lot of activity online about people taking exams before a particular deadline.

  • VCP Delta Exam
  • VCP-NV (No course requirement if you’re a CCNA/CCNP)
  • CCNP R+S Exam (Last 642 Series exams before 29th Jan 2015)

And just exams in general, regardless of a deadline.

spongebob_exam

I’m writing this post, mainly because I’ve been struggling to revise. And others will too, also being out of education for a number of years, you forget all those great techniques you never bothered to listen to when you did your exams in high school.

But now, you can re-learn and enhance yourself. 😉

Revision

I hate it, I always have. Its hard, it’s boring, and I could be doing other stuff I hate like tidying up.

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images

VMware Horizon View – Connection Server Services dont load with Public SSL Cert

VMware, , , , , , ,

So my colleague rang me the other week with a bit of weird issue. After installing the VMware Horizon View Connection Server, the services do not start after installing Public SSL, and replacing the self-signed SSL.

The environment
  • Server 2012 R2 fully patched
  • Installing Connection Server, services fine
  • Install Public Cert (Following VMware guidelines for creation)
    • Used Cert Req tool
    • Connection Server Service fails to start.

2014-11-24_23-35-41

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