Email Alerts
-
Comparing the VMware vMA and other ESXi management tools
VMware admins know the vSphere Client well. The VMware vMA and vCLI are often overlooked for ESXi management, but add them to your arsenal. guide
-
Applying cloud, VMware virtual networking concepts to your data center
VMware, EMC and virtualization experts explain VMware virtual networking concepts, the cloud mindset and storage virtualization. Feature
-
Examining heterogeneous data center management methods
A heterogeneous data center often boosts ROI, but it also increases confusion. Clear the air by testing your knowledge of multi-hypervisor strategy. Quiz
-
VMware VMDK shrink and storage thin provisioning 101
How do you free up storage space in a virtualized IT environment? Get answers on VMware VMDK shrinks and thin provisioning of virtual machines. FAQ
-
Site Recovery Manager: Getting schooled in disaster recovery
When disaster strikes, don’t get caught with your data center down. VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager can move an entire data center out of harm’s way with a single mouse click. Tutorial
-
VMware Site Recovery Manager: How much do you know?
This VMware Site Recovery Manager quiz will either humble you or boost your ego. Test your knowledge of VMware’s disaster recovery product. Quiz
-
VMware vSphere PowerCLI FAQ
With a cmdlet here and script there, you can easily manage VMs through the VMware vSphere PowerCLI. With ESXi on the horizon, it’s a good time to start learning about this tool. FAQ
-
VMware management and performance monitoring guide
There are lots of VMware management tools out there. This guide highlights the most important ones for VMware monitoring and offers best practices for improving VMware performance. Learning Guide
-
VMware scripts and commands: A management guide
New to VMware scripts and commands? These command line resources will help you overcome VMware management hurdles. Learning Guide
-
Scripting hot backups and recovery for virtual machines: Chapter download
Learn how to script your virtual machines for hot backups with this VMware chapter download. Chapter Download
-
VMware Site Recovery Manager: An exclusive look at the future
In the future, VMware Site Recovery Manager will have host-based replication and other new features. Expert Mike Laverick previews these yet-to-be-released VMware SRM capabilities. Article | 23 Dec 2010
-
Five must-have vSphere PowerCLI scripts
The vSphere PowerCLI command line tool can make an administrator's life much easier by automating tedious, repetitive task. Here are five PowerCLI scripts you can't live without. Article | 12 Apr 2010
-
VMware command line options to keep in your ESXi toolbox
The vSphere Client works great for some tasks, but repetitive mass actions call for scripts. And, you have options in the VMware command line toolbox. Tip
-
Workflow automation software showdown: Citrix, Microsoft and VMware
Workflow automation software is growing in popularity, but each product has its limitations. Find out how products from three major vendors stack up. Tip
-
VMware vCenter Protect serves up more than malware protection
VMware vCenter Protect was born of Shavlik NetChk, and offers much more than antivirus protection. Use the tool with virtual and physical machines. Tip
-
VMware vSphere Command Line Interface: Using vCLI for ESXi management
If you’re a command-line lover, you may prefer to use the vSphere Command Line Interface instead of the vSphere Client for managing ESXi hosts. Tip
-
VMware Auto Deploy: ESXi installation made easy
Installing ESXi is time consuming, but you can automate the ESXi installation and configuration process with VMware Auto Deploy in vSphere 5. Tip
-
ESXi console tech support mode: When the vSphere Client isn’t enough
The ESXi console and its tech support mode can solve many issues that the vSphere Client can’t. Once enabled, you have the power of the Linux command line at your disposal. Tip
-
PowerCLI 5.0: New cmdlets and PowerShell snap-ins for vSphere
PowerCLI 5.0 was just released with a host of new cmdlets and PowerShell snap-ins. This release makes scripting easier and the command-line less intimidating. Tip
-
Patching VMware ESXi Installable
Patching VMware ESXi Installable has changed since the release of ESXi 4.1. Now the only way to update the free hypervisor is with the vihostupdate command-line utility. Tip
-
VMware backup tools and strategies for small businesses
Virtualization has trickled down to small businesses, presenting IT pros with new challenges. Choosing the proper VMware backup tools and strategies is one such obstacle. Tip
-
VSphere Host Profiles vs. PowerCLI: The war for automation supremacy
Both vSphere Host Profiles and PowerCLI scripts automate the host-provisioning process, but each tool has strengths and limitations. Tip
- See more Tips on Scripting administrative tasks
-
How to automatically consolidate VMware snapshots in vSphere 5
IT admins sometimes create and delete VMware snapshots for recurring tasks. Two experts suggest ways to consolidate VMware snapshots automatically. Answer
-
vSphere CLI (vCLI)
VMware's vSphere CLI (vCLI) commands are used in a command line interface (CLI) when managing VMware ESX/ESXi infrastructures. Definition
-
VMware vSphere PowerCLI
VMware vSphere PowerCLI is a command-line interface (CLI) tool for automating vSphere and vCloud management. Definition
-
VMware Orchestrator
VMware Orchestrator is a free vCenter feature that helps automate VMware vCloud Suite, vSphere and other virtualization management system processes. Definition
-
Comparing the VMware vMA and other ESXi management tools
VMware admins know the vSphere Client well. The VMware vMA and vCLI are often overlooked for ESXi management, but add them to your arsenal. guide
-
VMware command line options to keep in your ESXi toolbox
The vSphere Client works great for some tasks, but repetitive mass actions call for scripts. And, you have options in the VMware command line toolbox. Tip
-
Workflow automation software showdown: Citrix, Microsoft and VMware
Workflow automation software is growing in popularity, but each product has its limitations. Find out how products from three major vendors stack up. Tip
-
Applying cloud, VMware virtual networking concepts to your data center
VMware, EMC and virtualization experts explain VMware virtual networking concepts, the cloud mindset and storage virtualization. Feature
-
Examining heterogeneous data center management methods
A heterogeneous data center often boosts ROI, but it also increases confusion. Clear the air by testing your knowledge of multi-hypervisor strategy. Quiz
-
vSphere CLI (vCLI)
VMware's vSphere CLI (vCLI) commands are used in a command line interface (CLI) when managing VMware ESX/ESXi infrastructures. Definition
-
VMware vCenter Protect serves up more than malware protection
VMware vCenter Protect was born of Shavlik NetChk, and offers much more than antivirus protection. Use the tool with virtual and physical machines. Tip
-
VMware vSphere PowerCLI
VMware vSphere PowerCLI is a command-line interface (CLI) tool for automating vSphere and vCloud management. Definition
-
VMware Orchestrator
VMware Orchestrator is a free vCenter feature that helps automate VMware vCloud Suite, vSphere and other virtualization management system processes. Definition
-
VMware VMDK shrink and storage thin provisioning 101
How do you free up storage space in a virtualized IT environment? Get answers on VMware VMDK shrinks and thin provisioning of virtual machines. FAQ
- See more All on Scripting administrative tasks
About Scripting administrative tasks
The VMware Infrastructure Toolkit, or VI Toolkit, integrates with Microsoft PowerShell to provide easier scripting to VMware admins. Previously, scripting for VMware was done primarily with the SDK, which had a learning curve that some administrators may not have had the time for. For the VMware administrator, PowerShell scripting translates to easier scripting – which means easier task automation and overall VMware infrastructure management.
For example, did you know that you can script the entire creation of a guest OS, and have new guest OSes created by the script in less than 10 minutes? You can also create scripts that take snapshots of all guest OSes on a host server, manage virtual machine hot backups and recovery, or that instruct one VMware ESX server to fail over to another.
This section offers pointers and tutorials on VMware scripting, and some tips explaining how individual scripts work to execute the task at hand.