Category Archives: VMware

Scripted Install and Configuration of Dell OpenManage Client

I have installed a fair few Dell Open manage client’s on our ESX hosts to give us the nice hardware monitoring of the Dell Open Manage software, I have just found an easier way to install it here at the Dell Tech center.  

This script will install and configure the OMSA agent on VMware ESX 3.x. It will also configure the SNMP settings, and open the default ports in the firewall to allow communication.

If you’ve never installed OMSA on ESX, don’t start with this script ! Read this piece of documentation first, “Installing Dell OpenManage in a VMware ESX Server Software Environment”.

Then once you have a grasp of the steps necessary, you can use this script as a standalone, or integrate it as part of your standard installation procedures.

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The Frenchman in Cannes

In one of the VMTN Round table podcasts I was mistakenly taken for a Frenchman as my last name is Renouf and I guess this sounds French to the Americans, whilst I haven’t found a way to re-pay John Troyer for this mistake yet I certainly will.

It would seem that at VMworld I was recognised as ‘The Frenchman’ rather than the guy who writes PowerShell scripts or the guy from the UK, I was expecting this after the multiple blog posts which have been added by people stating that I was French.  I decided to go prepared and the below is the sum of my payback !

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VI Toolkit voted Number 1

In a recent VMTN Round table podcast we were asked what our predictions would be for 2009, mine was “Automation of VMware Products”,  after visiting VMWorld Europe 2009 in Cannes it would seam that my prediction was coming true.

Whilst there I attended ‘TA01 – Managing VMware With PowerShell’ presented by Carter Shanklin (VI Toolkit Product Manager), one of the developer of the VI toolkit and also Dennis Zimmer (CTO of Icomasoft).

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VI Toolkit Quick Reference Guide

 

VI Toolkit Quick Reference Guide

VI Toolkit Quick Reference Guide

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

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.

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PowerGUI – Get started the easy way

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

I’ve 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

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 !