Tips

Tips

VMware basics

• 5 considerations for efficient VMware design

  Designing a VMware environment requires you to consider many factors, such as storage, CPUs, security and VM density. A few tips can keep your design simple and elegant.  Continue Reading

• How to connect VMware Workstation virtual machines to the Internet

  Learn how to configure VMware Workstation virtual networks, including connecting guest virtual machines to the Internet, use the Virtual Network Editor and more.  Continue Reading

• Understand VMware virtual machine files

  Effectively navigate each of the VMware VM file types, such as the flat.vmdk file and the VSWP file, to simplify VM management tasks.  Continue Reading

• Deploy a VM from a template with VMware PowerCLI

  Quickly create and deploy VMs from templates using Packer or PowerCLI rather than doing so from scratch via installation media. This helpful how-to walks you through the steps.  Continue Reading

• VMware for small business deployments becomes more realistic

  An expensive upgrade path often limited VMware SMB deployments, but recent price shifts are making it easier for SMBs to expand their usage of VMware's ecosystem.  Continue Reading

• Keep tabs on your data center for VM sprawl management

  Having too many unnecessary VMs on a network strains CPU, memory and storage resources. It's up to the virtualization administrator to create a VM sprawl management plan.  Continue Reading

• Control VM sprawl with the right management tools

  Virtualization sprawl is the result of careless resource provisioning, and it can waste valuable computing resources, but, with the right tactics, it's possible to control VM sprawl.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud, SDDC products boost quarterly VMware revenue

  According to VMware's Q3 2018 earnings report, the company received a nice boost from VMware Cloud on AWS, but NSX and vSAN remain the biggest contributors to VMware revenue.  Continue Reading

• Optimize your virtual machine hardware with these VMware best practices

  Which VM hardware version you use and how you configure hardware components can affect performance in your VMware infrastructure. Use these best practices to stay on track.  Continue Reading

• BOSH tutorial: Understand the basics of open source BOSH

  Unfamiliar with BOSH? You're not alone. Take a look at this basic BOSH tutorial to learn more about the open source tool that plays an important role in Pivotal Container Service.  Continue Reading

• Properly configure vCenter Server to get the most out of vCSA

  A solid vCenter Server configuration is the key to a fully functional environment, as well as access to vCSA. Follow these steps to get the most out of your deployment.  Continue Reading

• Add a host to a VMware cluster by following these tips

  Grouping physical hosts together on a cluster improves resource distribution and increases availability. It's easy to add a host to a cluster, but be sure to follow these rules.  Continue Reading

• HTML5 client VMware flings become full-fledged features

  Thanks to their overwhelming popularity, the HTML5-based ESXi Embedded Host Client and vSphere Client have made the transition from flings to features.  Continue Reading

• VSAN 6.5 and 6.6 up VMware's hyper-converged game

  VMware wants to cash in on the hyper-converged trend with tighter integration of its products, and vSAN is no exception. Check out these tips to see what's new in vSAN 6.5 and 6.6.  Continue Reading

• Use the VMware Host Client to manage single ESXi hosts

  The VMware Host Client is faster and more secure than the vSphere Flash-based client, but it has yet to reach maturity. Here are some other tools you can use to manage ESXi hosts.  Continue Reading

• The new vSphere Client ushers in the end of the thick client era

  VMware has jettisoned the thick client in favor of the thin client with the HTML5 Web Client, removing Flash-related vulnerabilities and adding functionality.  Continue Reading

• VSphere HTML5 Web Client offers improved security over the C# client

  Security issues plaguing the Adobe Flash Player and C# have pushed enterprises like VMware to introduce the vSphere HTML5 Web Client.  Continue Reading

• Learn how to manage vSphere environments with SaltStack

  The SaltStack management tool allows admins to create a consistent management system for multiple operating systems, including VMware vSphere environments.  Continue Reading

• HTML5 client ushers in the mobile-dominated era of IT

  As the IT infrastructure landscape moves toward mobile-dominated computing, VMware is replacing the old vanguard of vSphere management with new HTML5 web clients.  Continue Reading

• Learn how to set up a basic ESXi server in Ravello

  Trying to create an ESXi host for the Ravello cloud? Start by obtaining a free trial Ravello account, and then follow these easy steps.  Continue Reading

• Save money and resources with a VM sprawl management plan

  Don't let VM sprawl and resource waste drain your bank account. The key to sprawl prevention and elimination is early detection.  Continue Reading

• VMware focuses on the future with vSphere HTML5 Web Client

  VMware's decision to move to HTML5 and no longer rely on Adobe Flash means the end of the C# client.  Continue Reading

• "Peak VMware" leads to decrease in demand for VMware skills

  The decline in vSphere revenue has many VMware specialists re-evaluating their future and turning their attention to up-and-coming technologies.  Continue Reading

• Applying DevOps methodology to a VMware environment

  DevOps methodology can ease the tension of developing and distributing software in a standard environment; how can it improve a VMware environment?  Continue Reading

• Using shared disks to set up virtual clusters in ESXi

  Thanks to some expert advice, we've come up with some best practices for building a Red Hat-based Linux cluster in an ESXi environment.  Continue Reading

• Understanding the virtual building blocks of VMware vRealize

  Before you install vRealize, make sure that you have met all of the requirements to avoid possible headaches down the road.  Continue Reading

• Best practices and techniques for VMware templates

  VMware templates are known to save administrators time, but there are some tips and techniques you should follow to get the most out of them.  Continue Reading

• VMware's vSphere 6 release keeps content under control

  The content library feature in vSphere 6 brings centralized management of templates and other items to businesses running multiple vCenter Servers.  Continue Reading

• How vRealize Orchestrator delivers enhanced administrative powers

  The enhanced automation capabilities of vRealize Orchestrator can give administrators more flexibility when dealing with complex tasks.  Continue Reading

• Using PCI DSS for a secure virtual machine setup

  When plotting out your VMware environment, think about using PCI DSS requirements to secure data in a virtual machine.  Continue Reading

• Mixing PowerShell and VMware for potent possibilities

  VMware provides its own tools for monitoring and other tasks, but what if you could automate those tasks to save yourself time?  Continue Reading

• How to build your own virtual test lab

  A virtual test lab can give you a place to test patches and configuration changes -- and avoid the potential for downtime in the production environment.  Continue Reading

• Working with the vSphere 6.0 Web client

  Your stance on the vSphere Web Client may determine your level of happiness with VMware's latest server virtualization platform.  Continue Reading

• Avoid CPU affinity if a VM needs a performance bump

  Setting CPU affinity on a VM will probably cause performance to degrade and make the VM much harder to manage.  Continue Reading

• Tighten up security with the vSphere hardening guide

  Administrators can tweak the security settings in their vSphere environment with help from a spreadsheet from VMware.  Continue Reading

• Toggling between VMware virtual switch options

  VMware offers two options for virtual switches that share basic functions, but only one comes with the top-of-the-line license option.  Continue Reading

• Avoiding obstacles to keep vSphere environments secure

  When new vulnerabilities arise in your data center, you may surprise yourself at how staying creative and adaptable can sometimes reveal the best solution to the problem.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring virtual CPU states to improve performance

  A good understanding of vCPU run, wait and ready states can help deliver more responsive VMs.  Continue Reading

• Tune up the vSphere Web Client for better performance

  Many IT administrators prefer the vSphere desktop client, but VMware is slowly phasing it out in favor of the vSphere Web Client.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 things to know about vCenter Server Appliance

  Here's how VMware's vCSA differs from its Windows-based counterpart -- and why it's the wave of the future.  Continue Reading

• Proper resource pool practices can keep high-priority VMs afloat

  Without correct implementation and persistent monitoring, a resource pool can cause more problems than it solves.  Continue Reading

• Introduction to alternate authentication with vCenter SSO

  Starting with vSphere 5, VMware brought single sign-on functionality to vCenter to give administrators another way to manage identities.  Continue Reading

• Using clones as templates in VMware Workstation

  After you make sure the template is cleared of specifics, follow these steps to use clones as templates in VMware Workstation.  Continue Reading

• VMware Player Plus 6 fills niche for no-frills hypervisor

  While there are many comparisons made between Player Plus and Workstation, VMware designed each to fulfill specific needs.  Continue Reading

• Mind the NUMA node when adding large VMs

  When top performance is necessary, virtualization administrators need to know how their server hardware matches up with the virtual machine sizes.  Continue Reading

• What's the best number of virtual machines for a data store?

  The best number of virtual machines on each data store depends on, among other things, the performance needs of each virtual machine.  Continue Reading

• How to find the right size for your environment's data stores

  Administrators need to balance performance and manageability when building data stores, while also considering the limits in vSphere versions.  Continue Reading

• Starting out with VMware vSphere Hypervisor 5.1

  VMware vSphere Hypervisor 5.1 is a free way to start out with virtualization. Installation comprises two elements: ESXi and the vSphere Client.  Continue Reading

• VMware vSphere basics: ESXi host cluster, vCenter and shared storage

  Small and large VMware shops use the same building blocks. The basics of vSphere virtualization involve identical hosts, shared storage and vCenter.  Continue Reading

• Analyzing VMware vSphere cost and benefits for a small business

  The free VMware vSphere Hypervisor might seem like the perfect virtualization tool for SMB IT. But spending the money for vSphere Essentials pays off.  Continue Reading

• How to set up a home vSphere lab using a nested hypervisor

  A vSphere lab created with a nested hypervisor can be more stable with less overhead than a similar home lab on a hosted hypervisor like Workstation.  Continue Reading

• A vCloud Director lab is within reach, even on virtual lab setups

  VMware admins can't learn everything they need to know about vCloud Director by reading. It's time to build a vCloud Director lab -- here's how.  Continue Reading

• VMware for small business owners: The wrong kit could cost you

  VMware virtualization is typically associated with enterprise IT. But, with the right kit, it's good for small business virtualization projects, too.  Continue Reading

• VSphere 5.1 licensing changes offer SMBs enterprise-class computing

  VMware's new tiers for vSphere 5.1 licensing give SMBs access to enterprise-class virtualization capabilities such as data protection and vMotion.  Continue Reading

• When you need, and don't need, vCenter Server

  Some organizations don't need the advanced features offered by vCenter Server and can effectively manage their infrastructure with the free vSphere Client. Can yours?  Continue Reading

• VMware training at a discount: Is all-access eLearning worth it?

  Formal VMware training is notoriously expensive. With many organizations slashing training budgets, find out if $500 for an all-access eLearning subscription is worth the money.  Continue Reading

• Top five tips to improve VMware server capacity planning

  Server capacity planning is an important part of every environment, and VMware shops have some specialized tools to help them make the most of their hardware resources.  Continue Reading

• Getting started with VMware Orchestrator

  VMware Orchestrator automation and plug-ins make some parts of an admin’s job easier, but there is a steep learning curve to move beyond built-in workflows.  Continue Reading

• VMware vCenter Converter: V2V and P2V migrations made easy

  VMware vCenter Converter Standalone is a free tool that shops can use to import VMs from other virtualization platforms into vSphere or perform a hassle-free P2V migration.  Continue Reading

• Installing the vSphere Web Client for browser-based VMware management

  Break free from the Windows ball and chain, and install the vSphere Web Client for browser-based VMware management. It’s great for admins who are constantly on the go.  Continue Reading

• Top five VMware network performance tips

  Tweaking a few, simple configuration settings can improve VMware network performance and ensure that VMs receive their fair share of bandwidth.  Continue Reading

• Configuring VMware ESXi syslog settings for centralized logging

  Adjusting a few VMware ESXi syslog preferences can enable centralized logging on a remote host, which reduces the chance of losing important log data after a disaster.  Continue Reading

• Building a VMware test lab: How to obtain and interpret performance metrics

  In a VMware test lab, you have to pay attention to VM density, resource usage and more. Learn how to glean the right VMware performance metrics.  Continue Reading

• Network time synchronization for VMware ESXi: Timing is everything

  Time is money, and in your VMware infrastructure, network time synchronization ensures that your ESXi hosts are timed to work correctly with other hosts and services.  Continue Reading

• VMware disaster recovery options: Beyond Site Recovery Manager

  VMware offers its own disaster recovery tools, but there are a number of viable third-party products you can use for VMware disaster recovery.  Continue Reading

• Using VMware Boomerang as a mini vSphere Client

  Boomerang, a VMware fling, is a pared down vSphere Client for basic VM tasks. It’s a neat utility, but it could use a few improvements.  Continue Reading

• VMware ESXi security: Protecting VMs, VMkernel and the network

  With these VMware ESXi security techniques, you can keep your virtual machines, the network and the VMkernel safe from harm.  Continue Reading

• Installing VMware Tools: Believe the hype

  Installing VMware Tools adds an eclectic mix of management and performance capabilities to a VMware infrastructure. There are only a few downsides, and it’s free.  Continue Reading

• Playing god with VMware host resources

  The first commandment of allocating VMware host resources: Thou shall not accept ESXi’s default CPU and memory assignments.  Continue Reading

• Installing and configuring VMware ESXi

  Learn how to install and configure VMware's small footprint hypervisor, VMware ESXi, now available for free.  Continue Reading

• Filling VMware vCenter Server management voids

  VMware vCenter Server management is second nature for most administrators, but the product isn’t perfect. Luckily, several available tools can fix vCenter Server’s shortcomings.  Continue Reading

• Attaching NFS storage to a VMware ESXi host

  NFS storage provides a cheap and effective way to centrally store disk images in VMware ESXi. It takes only a few clicks to attach NFS storage to an ESXi host.  Continue Reading

• Five silly VMware administrator mistakes

  Face it: VMware administrators make mistakes all the time. It’s part of the learning process. That said, some mistakes are downright silly.  Continue Reading

• VSphere Enterprise Plus: Persuading your boss to upgrade your VMware licenses

  VSphere Enterprise Plus is the VMware licensing tier with all the bells and whistles. This sample letter may convince your boss to move on up like the Jeffersons.  Continue Reading

• Thin provisioning myth-busters: The benefits of thin virtual disks

  Thin provisioning gets a bad rap, often undeservedly so. Thin virtual disks can offer many benefits over other storage types. Here’s how to get the most out of them.  Continue Reading

• VMware Fusion for Mac: Advanced tips for power users

  VMware Fusion for Mac can virtualize multiple OSes on Mac OS X. VMware Fusion's advanced features optimize performance and allow users to control VMs through remote sessions.  Continue Reading

• VMware administration and management: Five quick tips

  VMware administration and management can be a burden, and unforeseen issues can arise. But if you master these VMware administration tips, you'll minimize the uncertainty.  Continue Reading

• VMware Fusion performance tips for Mac users

  VMware Fusion for Mac allows you to run multiple guest OSes on Mac OS X, but VMware Fusion performance depends on several variables, including memory and hardware configuration.  Continue Reading

• VMware ThinApp explained

  Application virtualization with VMware ThinApp can offer many advantages, especially around flexibility and security. But VMware ThinApp isn't a good fit for all applications.  Continue Reading

• VMware pricing: How does the new per-VM model affect customers?

  The VMware pricing model for management products has changed, and it has several ramifications. Per-VM licensing could help or hinder operations, depending on your business needs.  Continue Reading

• VMware maintenance checklist: Daily, weekly and monthly tasks

  It's easy for systems admins to lose track of tasks when responding to alerts. Break down VMware maintenance into daily, weekly and monthly tasks so that important chores are not overlooked.  Continue Reading

• Using VMware vSphere as a private cloud computing platform

  If you use VMware vSphere, you're already on the path to building a private cloud infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Selecting hardware for VMware ESX environments: Look before you leap

  Not all hardware is compatible with VMware ESX, and not all compatible hardware will support more advanced features such as Fault Tolerance. Read this before purchasing hardware and you'll up the odds that your servers work with ESX.  Continue Reading

• Navigating VMware certifications: VCP, VCDX, VCAP

  While the VMware Certified Professional is still a necessary credential for VMware administrators, VMware has expanded its certifications and made them more difficult. Here, we discuss the various certifications and how to achieve them.  Continue Reading

• VMware View licensing explained, plain and simple

  VMware View licensing doesn't have to be complicated. To help you navigate through the myriad options, we outline the several ways you can license a VDI environment.  Continue Reading

• Ease into ESXi with the VMware Management Assistant

  The VMware Management Assistant, or vMA, could help you ease into COS-less ESXi as it utilizes many of the same commands. Learn more about it and get an installation step-by-step tutorial.  Continue Reading

• The top 10 VMware tools an admin can't live without

  You wouldn't expect to build a house without a hammer, saw and nails, and you shouldn't expect to manage a VMware environment without the appropriate tools, either. Check out our top ten list of tools a VMware admin shouldn't live -- or work -- ...  Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell and PowerCLI to work with host servers

  Learn how to query your VMware host servers with this PowerShell Primer.  Continue Reading

• Licensing virtual machines: Windows 2008 Standard, Enterprise or Datacenter edition?

  Now that most machines are virtual rather than physical, Windows licensing can get a bit complicated. In this tip, learn exactly how many Microsoft licenses you need to cover your infrastructure and prevent the Business Software Alliance from ...  Continue Reading

• What is the free VMware OVFTOOL and how can it help you?

  VMware's OVFTOOL is a conversion program that eases distribution of virtual machines, converting them from the OVF format to .VMX, .OVA, .VMX files and others.  Continue Reading

• Using VMware's new vSphere command-line interface vCLI

  VMware updated the Remote Command-Line Interface (Remote CLI) with vSphere, renaming it vCLI. It offers many new commands, IPv6 support, the ability to run esxtop through vCenter, new options for vicfg-route and more.  Continue Reading

• Reviewing the five official VMware vCloud Express providers

  There are currently five official vCloud Express providers. Our contributor tested each of them. Read through the multi-part series to discover the surprising results.  Continue Reading

• Using the new VMware vSphere Management Assistant (vMA)

  When VMware released vSphere, it also updated what was formerlly known as the VMware Infrastructure Management Assistant, or VIMA. Now called vMA, it offers more than its predecessor. We go over how to install and use it here.  Continue Reading

• Virtual-to-physical conversions: Why and how

  Physical-to-virtual or P2V conversions are well-known in the virtualization field. Virtual-to-physical, or V2P, may be less so. But V2P conversions are still important to know how to do -- especially when it comes to application vendor support ...  Continue Reading

• VMware vSphere PowerCLI: Learn it, love it

  Getting on the vSphere PowerCLI bandwagon makes sense for administrators fed up with the time sink and error-prone nature of some administrative tasks.  Continue Reading

• Downloading, configuring and using VMotion in vSphere 4

  VMotion moves virtual machines to new hosts without creating downtime -- a win for admins and end users alike. Here's how to download, configure and use VMotion in vSphere.  Continue Reading

• VMware vSphere hot-add RAM and hot-plug CPU: Not so 'hot,' but still cool

  In theory, hot-add RAM and hot-plug CPU should allow you to easily add RAM and CPU as necessary while your virtual machine is running ("hot") to meet your workloads' needs. Not so, but the two are still useful add-ons.  Continue Reading

• Controlling vSphere administrative rights with Windows Active Directory groups

  Accountability, authentication and authorization are placed in limbo when all administrators are logging in to vSphere with the same account, but you can avoid those issues by configuring vSphere to use Windows Active Directory groups.  Continue Reading

• VMware vShield Zones: What it is and how it works

  One of the new technologies VMware released with vSphere is a security tool called vShield Zones. Learn how it works in the first part of this three-part series.  Continue Reading

• Installing VMware ESXi on a physical server

  In this two-part series, we show you how to convert an existing physical server into a virtual machine, then how to install VMware ESXi on the server hardware and load the virtual machine back onto it.  Continue Reading