New VMware Lab: VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manager 5.5

VMware Lab Connect™ is now available for VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manager [V5.5]. This is a cloud-based lab environment which includes all 24 labs from the VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.5] course.  This self-paced lab environment is available for 30 days or 30 hours of active time.

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrreg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=one&id_subject=53128

You will have access hands-on lab practice on the following 24 labs: 

•  Lab 1 - Installing VMware vSphere GUIs
•  Lab 2 - Configuring VMware ESXi
•  Lab 3 - Working with Virtual Machines
•  Lab 4 - Configuring VMware vCenter Server Appliance
•  Lab 5 - Using the VMware vSphere Web Client
•  Lab 6 - Configuring VMware vCenter Single Sign-On
•  Lab 7 - Creating Folders in VMware vCenter Server
•  Lab 8 - Standard Switches
•  Lab 9 - Accessing iSCSI Storage
•  Lab 10 - Accessing NFS Storage
•  Lab 11 - Managing VMware vSphere VMFS
•  Lab 12 - Using Templates and Clones
•  Lab 13 - Modifying a Virtual Machine
•  Lab 14 - Migrating Virtual Machines
•  Lab 15 - Managing Virtual Machines
•  Lab 16 - Managing VMware vSphere vApps
•  Lab 17 - User Permissions
•  Lab 18 - Resource Pools
•  Lab 19 - Monitoring Virtual Machine Performance
•  Lab 20 - Using Alarms
•  Lab 21 - Using VMware vSphere High Availability
•  Lab 22 - Configuring VMware vSphere Fault Tolerance
•  Lab 23 - VMware vSphere Distributed Resource Scheduler
•  Lab 24 - VMware vSphere Update Manager

SRM tipicall misconfigurations using VSS

Tips about misconfigurations on SRM with VSS:

-VSS Copy Service in windows guest is in bad state, use: vssadmin list providers

-the application writer is in bad state, use (it´s ok if no errors appears): vssadmin list writers

-vmware vss componentes not installed/registered correctly, use: sc query vmvss

-tools not installed ok

---- VSSADMIN Commands Supported ----
Delete Shadows               - Delete volume shadow copies
List Providers                    - List registered volume shadow copy providers
List Shadows                    - List existing volume shadow copies
List ShadowStorage        - List volume shadow copy storage associations
List Volumes                     - List volumes eligible for shadow copies
List Writers                        - List subscribed volume shadow copy writers
Resize ShadowStorage  - Resize a volume shadow copy storage association
-----------------------------------------------------------

Take a look to this interesting post about VSS and SRM (Thanks @vmKen to sharing):

http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/08/srm-5-1-and-vsphere-replication-as-a-standalone-feature.html

Moving apps to the cloud with AppZero

Understanding networks in vCloud Director - Part 2/2

Read first "Understanding networks in vCloud Director - Part 1/2"
http://virtualshocks.blogspot.com.es/2013/09/understanding-networks-in-vcloud.html

This part 2/2 is about the "vApp networks" on VMware vCloud Director. This vApp networks connect the virtual machines in a vApp, it´s like configure a router in front a vApp to separate the vm´s from the rest of the vApp or the Cloud enviroment.

What VMware says "vCloud Director coordinates with vCloud Networking and Security Manager to provide automated network security for a vCloud environment. vCloud Networking and Security Edge gateway devices are deployed during the provisioning of routed or private networks. Each vCloud Networking and Security Edge gateway runs a firewall service that allows or blocks inbound traffic to virtual machines that are connected to a public access organization virtual datacenter network.    The vCloud Director web console exposes the ability to create five-tuple firewall rules that are comprised of source address, destination address, source port, destination port, and protocol."

When creating a vApp netork the options are:

-Direct: vApps coonect directly to the organization virtual datacenter network.
-Routed: new network where the router provides NAT and FW functions.
-Isolated: no connections outside de vApp, only inside vApp VM machines can communicate.
-Fenced: Identical virtual machines can exist in different vApps, the virtual router provides isolation and proxy ARP.

Before see some examples, take care with the Network Pool options as defined above:

...Trough the wizard:

..Trough the vApp diagram tab in vCloud Director GUI. This view is one of the best way to review the networking configuration issues clicking on a VM the paths are highlighted:

...Trough the Networks tab you can sleect the network type ant the NAT or FW options:

Let´s check some examples:

CASE1: where 2 Organizations keep comunicated with a External Network: vShield Edge routing and statics routes are necessary

-CASE1: where 2 Organizations keep communicated without NAT but where vShield Edge is necessary.

.

LINK:  vCloud Networking

http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/files/2012/09/VMW-vCloud-Networking-Fixed-Sep13.pdf

VCP5 + VCP-IaaS exam = VCP-Cloud ....examen aprobado!!!

Despues de unas cuantas semanas AWAY FROM KEYBOARD por un  maldito latigazo cervical.... retomo la actividad en el blog con muchas ideas en la cabeza y muchos post que publicar :-) 

Para empezar el ultimo post que se quedo en el tintero el pasado Octubre, por superar con exito el examen VCP-IaaS con 466 puntos de 500 posibles, el aprobado esta en 300 puntos de 85 preguntas en total :-) obteniendo de este modo la certificacion VCP-Cloud.

Recordemos que la certificación VCP5 ahora se llama VCP5-DCV; y existe una nueva certificacion 

VCP-Cloud que puedes obtener o bien presentándote al examen VCP-Cloud o bien aprobando el
VCP-IaaS si ya eres VCP5.

El examen VCP-IaaS cubre todo lo referente a vCloud: vCloud Director, vShield, vCenter Chargeback, etc

Recomendaciones para superar el examen con exito:

1-Descargar el Exam Blueprint para tener claro que entra y que no en el examen:

 http://mylearn.vmware.com/register.cfm?course=136589

2- Realizar los dos cursos recomendados (que no obligatorios):

vCloud Director: Install, Configure, Manage

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrreg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=one&id_subject=38932

vCenter Chargeback Fundamentals

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrreg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=one&id_subject=48699

3- Montar un laboratorio con vCenter, vCloud Director y vCenter Chargeback.

4-Practicar "muuuucho" todo lo relacionado con el networking y los diferentes tipos de recursos que se pueden generar, que son el core del examen! Conceptos como External-Routed, vShield, VDC de Organizacion o vDC de Proveedor tienen que quedaros muy claros.

Recordatorio del roadmap nuevo de certificaciones:
Mas info: http://virtualshocks.blogspot.com.es/2013/09/new-vmware-certification-roadmap.html