This site has moved at 15:21

I have now moved all content to a new blog address which is easier to remember and also this will enable me to add more features in the future.

Please keep following me:

Blog: http://www.virtu-al.net/

RSS: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/Virtu-Al

The Virtualization EcoShell Initiative at 15:09

Using powershell to manage applications is no new thing, Microsoft are pushing things that way with the release of Exchange 2007 where everything in the GUI is pushed back down to the powershell console and completed there.

So, Imagine if you could do that with VMware products, how amazing would that be !

Building on the success of PowerGui it looks like dreams may come true soon as VMGuru and team have been working on a new product which will take the power of the already successful PowerGUI and enhance this to bring even more powershell goodness to the virtual arena.

VMGuru talks about this over on his blog check it out here... 

" I can now officially announce that I am branching the PowerGUI code base (Hey, why start from scratch when I've got something phenomenal already) and will be giving the dedicated attention to virtualization management using PowerShell and the VMware Toolkit for Windows (VITK).  To read more about my open community initiative to drive this technology and learn more about the project, make sure you visit my new website http://www.thevesi.org.  The best part of all, it's complete free of charge.  No limits on environment size, no ripping away almost all of the real functionality after 30 days, it's simply...Free. "

VI Toolkit Quick Reference Guide at 14:34

I'm currently sat in Heathrow Airport Terminal 1, I have just found a nice Zurich stand where they give you place to sit, a plug for the laptop and even an Ethernet cable with free Internet access, how nice is that !

So I thought I would best use my time to upload a Quick Reference guide to the VI Toolkit, hopefully I will be handing a few of these out at VMWorld but thought I would also add it to my blog for those of you who were unable to make it.

If you are interested in getting started with the VI Toolkit then print off the attached pdf file on a duplex printer, fold it in half and you have the ultimate getting started guide.

Thanks to C.Shanklin, S.Herold, L.Dekens and C.Bunch for their help with the editing and for the one-liners.

Have Fun !

More Network Info at 23:54

Following my previous network information script I was asked to add the VSwitch, so here it is...

The following script will add some nice host network information into an object which is exported to a csv file for passing to the network guys or can be used to find your server in that mess of cables that are always meaning to be tidied in the data center.

You will get:

• Host
  
• VSwitch
• VSwitch Ports (Added for @gabvirtualworld)
• VSwitch Ports in use (Added for @gabvirtualworld)
• Physical Nic Name
• Speed
• MAC
• Switch Device ID
• Port ID
• Observed Network ranges
• VLAN's

Missing anything ?!

Sample output:

PowerGUI - Get started the easy way at 23:16

Are you using PowerGUI and the VMware Powerpack yet, if the answer is no then why not ?

If you think its something that you will have to learn and you just dont have the time then please stop making excuses right now because VMGuru has just released some great new videos that not only show you how to get started but will also convert you into a guru.

The following videos are available from VMGuru's site here

1. Establishing Connections to your VMware Infrastructure using the PowerGUI Console
   
2. Navigate your VMware Infrastructure using the PowerGUI Console
   
3. Execute Links and Actions in the PowerGUI Console
   
4. Create and Save Filters using the PowerGUI Console
   
5. Using the PowerGUI Script Editor
   

vCenter Converter 4.0 - Out Now at 22:47

Ive been using the beta for a while now and have to say, its amazing, if you have used the previous versions of VMware Converter then make sure you download the new version from http://www.vmware.com/download/converter/

Now you can convert physical machines running Windows and Linux operating systems to

VMware virtual machines quickly, reliably and without any disruption.

Simplify integration by converting third-party formats such as Parallels Desktop, Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery, Norton Ghost, Acronis, StorageCraft and Microsoft Virtual Server/ Virtual PC to VMware virtual machines.

Eliminate source server downtime and reboot with non disruptive conversions through hot cloning.

For free you can't go wrong. Download it now if you have any P2V's planned.

VMworld Europe - Come say Hi at 20:33

I have now had confirmation that I will be able to attend VMworld Europe, both from VMware and the wife, I wont tell you which one was harder to get.

If you will be attending make sure you come and say Hi, I am willing to talk about the VI Toolkit and powershell in general, if your looking to get started I can even take you a few of the tips and tricks to get you in and scripting.

If you are wondering where to find me amongst all the of the French people I will be hanging around the VMTN session hoping that some of there expert skills will rub off on me, so come and see me in the community lounge at the following times:

• Tuesday 24th – 13.00 – 14.00
  
• Wednesday 25th – 13.00 – 14.00
  

You will be able to meet the following people and pick there brains on any of the Virtualisation topics you can think of.

The following experts will be there to answer your questions...

• Duncan Epping, - http://www.yellow-bricks.com/
  
• Gabrie van Zanten, - http://www.gabesvirtualworld.com/ ( I think he is swedish)
  
• Jason Boche, - VMTNModerator and http://www.boche.net/blog/
  
• Steve Beaver, - Tripwire andVMTN Moderator and Published Author
  
• Scott Herold, - http://www.vmguru.com/ ( I think he is Canadian)
  
• Thomas Bryant, - VizionCore, and VMTN Moderator
  
• Wil van Antwerpen, - http://www.vi-toolkit.com
  
• Eric Sloof, -http://www.ntpro.nl/blog/ (He will probably have a video camera in his hand)
  
• Tom Howarth - http://planetvm.net/ (The loud guy on the VMwarecommunities podcast)
  
• Alan Renouf, - Not French
  

So please come and say hello.

P.S. Payback time !