afokkema Virtualization

Tool: vOptimizer


Vizioncore

Quote van de Vizioncore website:

vOptimizer

vOptimizer is an advanced optimization solution that quickly and easily reduces a virtual machine’s virtual hard drive to the smallest size possible while optimizing Windows guest operating systems for speed and performance. vOptimizer 4.0 offers many new functions for enterprise level customers while improving the interface and ease of operation for smaller, desktop oriented users. vOptimizer – Desktop Edition enables unlimited optimizations of local VMs  while Network Edition enables unlimited optimizations of VMs located anywhere across the network. vOptimizer –Network Edition also enables the optimization of offline VMs as well as scheduled optimizations.

Advantages

Virtual machine platform technologies have the ability to transform the way people derive value from computing, especially in scenarios such as demonstrations or rapid solution prototyping. One of the limitations in this paradigm, however, can be the size of a virtual machine virtual hard drive. Specifically, large virtual hard drives are difficult to share and move around. Reducing the size of a virtual hard disk (VMDK with VMware / VHD with Microsoft) by as much as possible can deliver a big pay-off if virtual machine usage is a key component of an organization’s computing strategy. Optimizing a guest operating system for speed can have similar dividends, especially if virtual machines are used in selling or demo scenarios. Virtual machines can be reduced by up to 80% with vOptimizer, which are then easily utilized via CD or DVD or shared with colleagues over the network or Internet.

De User manual vind je hier: vOptimizerUserManual.pdf

Een introductie video vind je hier: voptimizer_video.html

De Freeware versie kun je hier downloaden: http://www.download.com/

Quote van Eric Sloof (www.ntpro.nl/blog) over de freeware versie en de licentie structuur.

Vizioncore vOptimizer Freeware may be used for a maximum of two (2) users within Licensee’s organization. For more than two (2) users within an organization licenses must be obtained. This license does not entitle Licensee to receive hard-copy documentation, technical support, telephone assistance, or enhancements or updates to the Product from Vizioncore

 

Bron: http://www.ntpro.nl/blog/archives/262-vOptimizer-FreeWare-4.0.41.html

afokkema VMUG

Event: NL Event: VMUG 2007 Update


Op 7 December 2007 is het zover. Dan zal het Nieuwegeins Business Center gevuld worden met VMUG’ers vanuit het hele land.

Inmiddels is een deel van de Agenda beschikbaar, deze kun je hier vinden. Voor een overzicht van alle sprekers kun je hier terecht. Wil je nog meer info dan verwijs ik je door naar de VMUG site.

Mocht je erbij willen zijn dan kun je via het inschrijfformulier jezelf aanmelden. Dit kan alleen als je lid bent van het VMUG forum. De kosten voor het evenement zijn 99€ exclusief BTW. In dit bedrag zijn alle hapjes en drankjes inbegrepen. Ook krijg je een VMUG goodie.

Ik heb me vandaag ingeschreven want er geld een vroegboek korting van 10€ 😉

afokkema Citrix, Windows

Citrix: Configure Version 10.x of the Presentation Server Client Using Group Policies


Een quote uit document CTX112957

To configure version 10.x of the Presentation Server Client for Windows using Windows Group Policies, Citrix has created a Group Policy template called icaclient.adm with 23 Citrix-specific rules used to lock down the Presentation Server Client.

These configurations are used to modify the behavior of the Program Neighborhood Agent, Program Neighborhood, and the Web client.

Use this method for client preconfiguration in lieu of modifying the .ini files on the Presentation Server Client.

Procedure

  1. The icaclient.adm template is attached to this article. To use the template, extract the .zip file and save the .adm file locally.
  2. Import the template into the Group Policy Object Editor using Active Directory Users and Computers or using the Local Group Policy snap-in.
  3. Configure the Group Policy object (GPO) rules.

Zodra je de ADM file hebt toegevoegd, kun je de verschillende zaken configureren.

citrixclientadm

afokkema Virtualization, VMware

Tool: VI3 PatchDownloader 2.1


patchdownloader2-case-240x320

Op 12 Oktober is er een nieuwe versie vrijgegeven van deze handige tool.

The latest follow up to the well received VI3 PatchDownloader tool is now a Windows command line executable meaning that it can be scripted and scheduled as a routine task. Additional functionality means that it is now easier than ever to keep up to date with VMware® ESX patch downloads.

Change Log:

2.1

– Updated for ESX 3.0.2

2.0.1.2

– Fixed minor bug which meant patches released in the month of July were not being downloaded.

2.0.1.1

– Fixed minor bug which meant the script did not exit cleanly after downloading the last of the 3.0.1 patches.

Copyright © xtravirt.com

Download de tool hier: http://www.xtravirt.com/

afokkema Microsoft, Windows

Vista: Fix the Vista Network Speed Issue While Playing Sound


Nadat ik Windows Vista "eindelijk" heb geïnstalleerd, liep ik tegen het volgende probleem aan:

Zodra ik audio afspeelde en daarna een betand over het netwerk (gigabit) wilde kopieren dropte de performance dramatisch. Na wat zoekwerk op google kwam ik de volgende post van Courtney Malone tegen: http://courtneymalone.com/2007/08/28/a-note-on-vista-network-speed/

Het probleem zit hem in de Multimedia Class Scheduler. Deze service kun je stoppen maar dan stopt de Windows Audio ook en heb je dus geen geluid meer.

In de post die hierboven wordgenoemd legt Courtney haarfijn uit hoe je de  Multimedia Class Scheduler service kunt stoppen zonder dat de Windows Audio service word gestopt. En als het goed is, word het probleem hiermee opgelost.

afokkema VMware

VMware: Announces VI 3.5


Hieronder een quote van de press release:

Virtualization platform enhancements help deliver new levels of performance, scalability and compatibility for running the most demanding workloads in virtual machines:

  • Expanded storage and networking choices such as support for SATA local storage, 10 Gig Ethernet, and Infiniband expand storage and networking choices for virtual infrastructure
  • Support for TCP Segment Offload and Jumbo frames reduce the CPU overhead associated with processing network I/O
  • Support for hardware nested page tables such as in processor assists for memory virtualization
  • Support for paravirtualized Linux guest operating systems enables higher levels of performance through virtualization-aware operating systems
  • Support for virtual machines with 64GB of RAM and physical machines with up to 128GB of memory

New virtual infrastructure capabilities help deliver increased infrastructure availability and resilience:

  • VMware Storage VMotion enables live migration of virtual machine disks from one data storage system to another with no disruption or downtime. VMware VMotion has become an indispensable tool for many infrastructure administrators to dynamically balance their server workloads and eliminate planned downtime for server maintenance. Storage VMotion extends VMotion to storage resources of a virtual machine, namely virtual disks. Using Storage VMotion, administrators can dynamically balance the storage workload and address performance bottlenecks by migrating virtual machine disks to the best available storage resource. Administrators can minimize service disruption previously incurred for upgrading storage arrays and free storage administrators to improve and manage the storage infrastructure without having to co-ordinate extensively with application and server owners.
  • VMware Update Manager automates patch and update management for VMware ESX Server hosts and virtual machines. Update Manager addresses one of the most significant pain points for every IT department: tracking patch levels and manually applying the latest security/bug fixes. Patching of offline virtual machines enforces higher levels of patch standards compliance than physical environments. Integration with VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) enables zero-downtime VMware ESX Server host patching capabilities.

New virtual infrastructure management solutions help deliver increased automation for streamlined managed of IT environments.

  • VMware Distributed Power Management is an experimental feature that reduces power consumption in the data center through intelligent workload balancing. Working in conjunction with VMware DRS, Distributed Power Management is designed to automatically power off servers not currently needed in order to meet service levels, and automatically power on servers as demand for compute resources increases.
  • VMware Guided Consolidation, a feature of VMware VirtualCenter enables companies to get started with server consolidation in a step-by-step tutorial fashion. A wizard discovers physical servers, identifies consolidation candidates, converts them to virtual machines, and leveraging intelligently places them onto the best VMware ESX Server or VMware Server hosts. Guided Consolidation helps to make the consolidation process quick and easy for users with little knowledge of virtualization.

Availability, Packaging and Pricing
The new release of VMware Infrastructure will be available later in 2007.  Updated packaging and pricing for VMware Infrastructure will go into effect concurrent with the general availability later in 2007. VMware Infrastructure will be available for purchase in the following editions:

  • VMware ESX Server 3i, providing single server partitioning, will be delivered embedded as firmware in server systems or as a standalone purchase for hard-drive installation. If purchased standalone for hard-drive installation, ESX Server 3i list price will be $495 per 2 processors.
  • VMware Infrastructure 3 Foundation (previously called “Starter”) will include VMware  ESX Server, VMware ESX Server 3i, VMware Consolidated Backup and the new VMware Update Manager. Unlike the previous VMware Infrastructure 3 Starter, VMware Infrastructure 3 Foundation will have no restrictions on shared storage connectivity, memory utilization or number of CPUs of the physical server. VMware Infrastructure Foundation list price will be $995 per 2 processors.
  • VMware Infrastructure 3 Standard is designed to bring higher levels of resiliency to IT environments at greater value. In addition to the capabilities of VMware Infrastructure 3 Foundation, VMware Infrastructure 3 Standard will include VMware HA which provides automated restart of virtual machines affected by hardware failure.  VMware Infrastructure 3 Standard list price will be $2995 per 2 processors.
  • VMware Infrastructure 3 Enterprise contains the entire array of virtual infrastructure capabilities for resource management, workload mobility, and high availability. In addition to the capabilities in VMware Infrastructure 3 Standard, it also includes VMware VMotion, VMware Storage VMotion, and VMware DRS with Distributed Power Management (DPR). VMware Infrastructure 3 Enterprise list price will be $5750 per 2 processors.
  • VMware VMotion, Storage VMotion and DRS with DPM will also be available for standalone purchase with VMware Infrastructure 3 Foundation and Standard.
  • Existing VMware Infrastructure customers with valid support and subscription contracts will receive the new products and features included in each edition at no additional cost.

Lees de rest van het artikel hier: http://www.vmware.com/company/news/releases/esx_35.html

afokkema Citrix

Citrix: cutildll.dll is missing


Tijdens de unattended setup van Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 en de daarbij behorende consoles kreeg ik de melding dat de cutildll.dll niet meer aanwezig was. Door deze via script of handmatig te kopieren werkte het unattended script weer.

Het kopieer commando gaat als volgt:

Copy "C:\Program Files\Citrix\System32\cutildll.dll" "C:\Windows\System32\cutildll.dll" /Y

Hieronder vind je een quote uit artikel het citrix artike CTX102501:

Resolution

If cutildll.dll is found to be missing from %systemroot%\system32, copy the cutildll.dll that corresponds to the version of MetaFrame XP currently installed to the system32 directory.

afokkema Microsoft, VMware, Windows

VMWare: Install VMWare Tools on Windows Server 2008 Core


 

Ik zag de volgende post op de blog van Mike Laverick: http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk/?p=451. In deze post word door Michael Maher word uitgelegd hoe je de VMware Tools kunt installeren in een Windows Server 2008 Core VM.

“For those unfamiliar with Server Core it is a command line only version of Windows Server 2008 (formerly Longhorn). I have been trying to install this on ESX 3.0. On the GUI version of Windows 2008 server, VMWare tools must be installed to get the NIC working. Server Core however is command line only. VMWareTools is a GUI installation so this is not an option for Server Core. The workaround is to transfer VMWareTools (contained in a file called windows.iso) from your ESX server to a local drive. This can be done using Winscp. Use Virtual Center to mount the windows.iso file as a CDROM drive in the Server Core VM. The driver files are located in \Program Files\VMWare\VMWare Tools\Drivers\VMXNet\w2k of the windows.iso file. The command used to install the drivers is

C:\Windows\System32>pnputil -i -a vmxnet.inf
Microsoft PnP Utility
Processing inf : vmxnet.inf
Successfully installed the driver on a device on the system.
Driver package added successfully.
Published name : oem2.inf

Next check the installation of the driver. Vmxnet should be displayed near the end of the list.

C:\Windows\System32>driverquery
ws2ifsl Winsock IFS driver Kernel 18/04/2007 04:52:40
vmxnet VMware Ethernet Adapte Kernel 22/04/2006 23:13:11

You can then enable remote access of Server Core with the command.


netsh advfirewall set allprofiles settings remotemanagement enable

To disable the firewall.
netsh advfirewall set allprofiles firewallpolicy allowinbound,allowoutbound”

In post word ook nog verwezen naar een ander blog van Justin Campbell. Daar vind je nog meer info over Server 2008 Core: http://cmsjustin.blogspot.com/2007/09/windows-server-2008-core-not-what-i-had.html