Microsoft validates the VMware ESX Hypervisor
Posted by virtualized1970 on Sep 11, 2008
Now Microsoft offers technical support to customers who run the virtualization tool with Windows Server.
VMware, the clear leader of server virtualization, has announced that its VMware ESX hypervisor meets the requirements of Microsoft’s Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP). VMware ESX 3.5 update 2 (ESX 3.5u2) is the first hypervisor to join the program, which provides support from both Microsoft and VMware to customers who work with Windows Server and Microsoft applications. “Virtualization is already established within a stream of IT and our relationship with Microsoft shows just how far it has come, providing users of VMware ESX access to valuable support for their virtualized Microsoft applications,” says Bogomil Balkansky, Senior Director of product marketing at VMware. “VMware and Microsoft are working together to make sure that our joint customers enjoy the benefits of virtualization with the reassurance that professional support provides,” he adds.
How to configure the network on VMware ESX from the Ubuntu command line
Posted by mrjohn on Sep 8, 2008
Recently, I needed help with Unix to solve a problem with a network card that was identified as “undetectable” by ESX 3.5 of an Ubuntu virtual machine. Actually, the problem was that I could not configure the network because it was not detected by the system.
First, I thought that I needed to install the VMware tools on this system but I had no clue how to do this. I assumed that it was the same method as any other virtual machine (in the toolbar, Inventory -> Virtual Machine -> Install / Upgrade VMware Tools). But, after connecting to the VMware console, I saw that VMware was started but never finished.
Starting VMware from the Ubuntu login
Posted by mrjohn on Sep 6, 2008
If you don’t have a computer with many resources and you want to use VMware or VMplayer with a Windows XP image (or any other operating system) for a longer period of time (e.g. you must use Word, Excel, Access, etc.), a good solution is to start VMware directly, without downloading GNOME.
To achieve this, you need to create a new account that you can log into from the login screen (GDM). For it, you create the file “/usr/share/xsessions/windows-xp.desktop”:
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding = UTF-8
Name = Windows-XP
Exec = /usr/local/bin/startwindowsxp.sh
Icon =
Type = Application
This will execute the file “/usr/local/bin/startwindows.sh”, which you will also have to create with the following content:
#!/bin/bash
cd /mnt/extra/Windows_XP_Professional/
vmplayer –fullscreen /mnt/extra/Windows_XP_Professional/ Windows_XP_Professional.vmx
Resizing a virtual disk with VMware
Posted by mrjohn on Sep 5, 2008
The other day, an old virtual machine of mine with VMware (that I sometimes used to test various configurations, cases, applications, etc.) ran out of disk space since it had only 2GB for storage! By today’s standards, 2GB of storage seems like a joke! But anyways, I had to solve this inconvenient problem or else I would lose time creating a new virtual machine and configuring the operating system from scratch according to the new specifications for virtual disks.
VMware provides a set of line-of-command utilities to support the administration of virtual machines. Among them is a utility called vmware-vdiskmanager that makes this operation much simpler. Simply run the command with the “-x” option and the desired new size for the virtual disk and…problem solved.
VMWARE with Linux Kernel 2.6.24 and Wireless Bridge
Posted by mrjohn on Sep 1, 2008
VMware modules cannot be compiled in (and are not even supported by) Kernel 2.6.24.
The official patch vmware-any-any-update115, from ftp://platan.vc.cvut.cz/pub/vmware, solves problems with some earlier kernels, but it does not compile in 2.6.24.
Peter Teoh created an unofficial patch, vmware-any-any-update-116.tgz, that DOES compile with 2.6.24. He modified the module vmmon.tar using the previous 115 patch as a base.
But vmware-any-any-update patches do not support bridge networking with wireless network cards. In the source of module vmnet.tar, smac_linux.x386.c, you can find:
“KERN_WARNING vmnet: You are trying to use wireless networking bridged together with vmware-any-any-update. This configuration is not supported, and your wireless bridge will probably not work.”
Microsoft vs. VMware: Companies lose the battle - Part 2
Posted by mrjohn on Aug 31, 2008
Signs of an immature market
But is it really necessary for hypervisors to be a proprietary technology? Efforts by Microsoft and VMware to differentiate their hypervisors remind us of the networking situation thirty years ago, when all power suppliers believed in different technologies (Token Ring, Ethernet, ARCNET, etc.). Gradually, however, manufacturers have accepted the idea that taking a common standard (TCP/IP over Ethernet) and concentrating their efforts on innovation in the upper levels of the software stack, stimulates the growth of the market as a whole and, consequently, the value of the manufacturer’s own share of the pie. It seems that in the case of virtualization, suppliers are not yet ready to see the situation from this perspective. Today, speeches still revolve around concepts such as speed and feeds, but probably the market itself will finish by imposing its own rules.
Microsoft vs. VMware: Companies lose the battle - Part 1
Posted by mrjohn on Aug 30, 2008
Microsoft has just released Hyper-V, its new hypervisor software that will be the foundation of virtualization on Windows Server 2008. This release will force VMware to finally confront a dangerous opponent in the market of virtualization of Windows servers. Unfortunately, Microsoft has decided to follow in the footsteps of VMware by choosing their own unique way of doing things, and VMware also refuses to cooperate. The result: IT departments are faced with the need to choose between two mutually incompatible virtualization options.
Virtualization is based on a fine code, called hypervisor, which is located on the hardware and abstracted from the Windows virtual servers running on the upper level. The primary purpose of hypervisors is to redirect requests between multiple virtual machines and the original hardware, so that each VM believes that the hardware is its own.
How-To: mount Windows Share under VMware ESX Service Console
Posted by virtualized1970 on Aug 29, 2008
Have you ever wanted to transfer files & ISO between your windows Machine & your ESX Server Service Console?
This come to be handy when you want to keep your Operating systems & other software ISOs on the storage, so you can use them for virtual machine installation & configuration for later time. Did you know installing a vmware machine from an ISO on storage usually take less than half the time if you were using a real media CD.
To achieve this goal you have two methods. Either you make Windows share accessible to the Service Console as illustrated in the following article how to mount windows share under vmware esx .
Screencasts with Ubuntu
Posted by mrjohn on Aug 26, 2008
Ubuntu disappoints again… although I don’t exactly know who is to blame: Ubuntu, the programmers at Wink, or me.
Today, I was preparing some basic tutorials for VMware Player.
So far, the mini-course, if that’s what you want to call it, consists of four parts:
1) Downloading the
VMware Player from the
VMware website;
2) Creating a virtual machine with
easyvmx.com;
3) Mounting an ISO file directly modifying the definition file of the virtual machine, and
4) Obtaining the VMware Tools for Linux from VMware Server.
The truth is that—more than creating a mini-workshop—I wanted to test whether it could perform screencasts in Linux just like it did in Windows.
The answer is NO.
Big concerns about VMware ESX and ESXi 3.5 Update 2
Posted by mrjohn on Aug 20, 2008
VMware is presently experiencing some tough times, but I have to say that they are handling the situation professionally, as always.
All those who downloaded the product and gave a valid address received an e-mail describing the problem:
Problem:
An issue has been discovered by many VMware customers and partners with ESX / ESXi 3.5 Update 2 where Virtual Machines fail to power on or VMotion successfully. This problem began to occur on August 12, 2008 for customers that had upgraded to ESX 3.5 Update 2. The problem is caused by a build timeout that was mistakenly left enabled for the release build.
Affected Products:
A wonderful gift from VMware
Posted by mrjohn on Aug 19, 2008
For the record, ESXi is the super-light version of the leading hypervisor. It features:
- operating system independence;
- 15-minute installation (215 MB on a bootable CD);
- only 32 MB Used when installed, and leaves the rest to the VM , and
- remote management.
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS - Code Name: The Hardy Heron
Posted by mrjohn on Aug 16, 2008
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (also called the “Hardy Heron” or the “Robust Heron”) is the eighth version of Ubuntu. The stable version was published on April 24, 2008. It follows Ubuntu 7.10, also known as the “Gutsy Gibbon”, and precedes Ubuntu 8.10, the “Intrepid Ibex”.
Ubuntu 8.04 is the second version that has long-term support. It will be supported for 3 years on workstations (until April 2011) and for 5 years on servers (until April 2013).
Which version of Ubuntu is currently installed on your computer?
Bluelane patches virtual machines
Posted by VMbloggie on Aug 15, 2008
The inventor of the “virtual patch” adapts its PatchPoint boxes to VMware virtual machines. With VirtualShield, the boxes are rather cheap “virtual appliances” that provide real-time security patches for their operating system and virtualized applications.
Bluelane is already well known for its PatchPoint appliances. The solution is unique in the way that it applies security patches on the fly to all feeds that pass through the box. This way, a PatchPoint appliance protects all operating systems and applications behind it, without installing the official patches on the systems.
The selective application of patches from a single interface, immediate roll-back and instantaneous correction of a set of heterogeneous systems, the Bluelane approach is very appealing. Today, its PatchPoint boxes are deployed by major accounts, financial services and hosting service providers.
Microsoft denies any delay for its virtualization administration tools (updated)
Posted by mshyperv on Aug 15, 2008
At the launch of its Windows hypervisor Hyper-V, Microsoft announced the launch of its administration tools for virtual environments within 90 days of Hyper-V. Theoretically, the publisher should have delivered Virtual Machine Manager 2008, equivalent to Hyper-V Virtual Center for VMware ESX Center, before the end of September.
Important information about Hyper-V!
Posted by mrjohn on Aug 14, 2008
1- Deploying & Discovering Windows 2008 Hyper-V RTM (Posted by MSHyper-V at this blog earlier).
Intro: Introduction to Microsoft Windows 2008 Hyper-V RTM & Our Discovery Trip.
Part one: Microsoft Windows 2008 Hyper-V RTM Installation
Part Two: MS Hyper-V Virtual Networks Configuration & Hyper-V Server settings.
Part Three: MS Hyper-V Virtual Machine Creation.
Part Four: MS Hyper-V Virtual Machine Settings.
2. Deploying Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-v RTM (slipstreamed)
Deploying Windows Server 2008 using “slipstreamed” Hyper-V RTM -Part1
Deploying Windows Server 2008 using “slipstreamed” Hyper-V RTM -Part2