Category Archives: vmware

VCDX: Second time’s the charm

Posted on September 3, 2013 by

It has been almost 3 years since I first set my eyes on the VCDX certification. I moved from being a VMware customer to a Partner 2 years earlier, and had my ‘Design Mojo’. I was ready to step up … Continue reading →

Posted in certification, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD, VCDX, vmware | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

VCDX Preparation: Q & A

Posted on August 14, 2013 by

Since I am currently undertaking the VCDX Certification process, many people ask me questions regarding preparing for the Defense. Yes, I capitalize ‘Defense’ because it’s a big deal to me right now. I have the benefit (?) of having gone … Continue reading →

Posted in certification, VCDX, vmware, vSphere | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Mixed EqualLogic and MD3200i design for vSphere storage

Posted on August 13, 2013 by

Over the years, I have come across several SMB customers running vSphere on iSCSI.  While a majority of them opt for EqualLogic storage, some have existing MD3000i/MD3200i SANs that have been the workhorse Dell storage solution for years.  One question … Continue reading →

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Dell VRTX- First Impressions

Posted on June 8, 2013 by

On Tuesday, 6/4/13, Dell unveiled its new PowerEdge VRTX converged system during the opening keynote at the 2013 Dell Enterprise Forum in San Jose, CA. The VRTX comes in a Tower or Rack mounted form factor covering 5RU. Inside, you … Continue reading →

Posted in blades, converged, PowerEdge, storage, virtualization, vmware, VRTX | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

VCAP5-DCA Testing Strategy and Tips

Posted on September 19, 2012 by

This year at VMworld in San Francisco, the #vBrownBag crew was able to host a series of Lightning Tech Talks, a series of 10 minute presentations in the HangSpace Community Stage. I was lucky enough to do two of the … Continue reading →

Posted in certification, VCAP-DCA, VCP, virtualization, vmware | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Disaster Recovery and VMware, Pre-SRM

Posted on August 8, 2012 by

A new customer asked me today if I had any experience with Disaster Recovery, and if I was familiar with VMware’s Site Recovery Manager product.  My Sales Associate said “Of course he knows it, He invented SRM”.  I had to … Continue reading →

Posted in DR, Uncategorized, virtualization, vmware | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

VMware ColdClone utility

Posted on June 18, 2012 by

If you are a SysAdmin using VMware or work with customers in a virtual environment, you have more than likely performed a Physical-to-Virtual (P2V) migration.  In most cases, the free VMware Converter will perform  nicely here by imaging the physical … Continue reading →

Posted in P2V, virtualization, vmware | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Recover a VM from the vm–flat.vmdk file

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

Last week I was onsite with a new customer, spending some time familiarizing myself with their existing infrastructure.  They are running vSphere 4.1 on Dell servers and EqualLogic storage.  While the hardware layout was solid and installed well, it quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in backups, DR, equallogic, virtualization, vmware | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Building a portable vSphere lab

Posted on October 13, 2011 by

When you are in the business of delivering virtualization solutions to customers, it helps if you know what you are talking about. While that is pretty obvious in and of itself, there is a great deal of work required to … Continue reading →

Posted in certification, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD, VCDX, VCP, virtualization, vmware | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My VCAP-DCA experience

Posted on October 13, 2011 by

There is an old joke that starts out “What do you call the guy that finishes last in his class at Medical School?”  The answer is “Doctor”. As bad as that joke is, it is kind of how I feel … Continue reading →

Posted in certification, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD, VCDX, virtualization, vmware | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment