I’m upgrading some hosts in my lab with vSphere 5 patch 1, I need to upload the zip packages from my laptop to my datastore.. it would be nice to do this via PowerCLI
The code:
$DataStore = Get-VMHost esx02.vmpros.lan | Get-Datastore ESX02_VMFS01 Copy-DatastoreItem C:\vmpros\patch1\ $DataStore.DatastoreBrowserPath -Recurse
Result:
Today I want to install Windows 8 in my test lab, after creating a new virtual machine and power-on the VM I received warning error message:
Failed to find a host for powering on the virtual machine. The following faults explain why the registered host is not compatible
The operation is not allowed in the current connection state of the host.
Weird, both ESXi 5.0 hosts are powered on, my vCenter VM is running on the same machine which I want to power on the new virtual machine.. also strange is.. there’s no CPU (0 MHz) and no Memory usage (0,00 MB) activity at this host, check the screenshot below
Double check..:
Jup.. there are two running servers at esx01.vmpros.lan
Solution:
After disconnecting the ESXi host from vCenter and reconnect the host I was able to power on virtual machines, also my CPU/Memory activity is back
Last week I was writing a Technical Design for a customer to create a brand new vSphere 5 environment based on HP hardware (HP P4300 G2 storage and HP DL380G7 servers). I found HP Sizing Tools for VMware vSphere tool at the HP website to size and design storage and server components to run my new vSphere solution.
Here some installation and sizing facts:
Today VMware released ESXi 5.0 Update 1 with a download size of 564 mb
The update contains multiple bug/hotfixes bundled in Update 1, some more information:
This patch release contains the bug fixes for ESXi. For more information, see the KB articles for the individual bulletins.
For information about the issues fixed with the ESXi-5.0.0-20120301001s-standard image profile, see KB 2012673.
For information about the issues fixed with the ESXi-5.0.0-20120301001s-no-tools image profile, see KB 2012674.
For information about the issues fixed with the ESXi-5.0.0-20120302001-standard image profile, see KB 2012671.
For information about the issues fixed with the ESXi-5.0.0-20120302001-no-tools image profile, see KB 2012672.
Host Reboot Required: Yes
Virtual Machine Migration or Shutdown Required: Yes
Source: VMware
After I placed two new 146 GB SAS hard disks to an ESXi 4.1 host, configured a new array, try to add a new datastore with my vSphere Client I received this warning:
Call "HostDatastoreSystem.QueryVmfsDatastoreCreateOptions" for object "ha-datastoresystem" on ESXi "SERVERNAME" failed.
After reading VMwareKB 1008886 and following the instructions I solved the issue..
Solution:
Commandline:
dd if=/dev/zero of="/vmfs/devices/disks/vml.0000000000766d686261313a313a30" bs=512 count=34 conv=notrunc
Output:
34+0 records in
34+0 records out
More information: VMware
After trying to install vCenter Server I received a warning from Windows Installer:
This installation package could not be opened. Contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installed package
With some troubleshooting at the VMware vCenter Server MSI package to start this package with a logfile, command:
msiexec /l*vx c:\install.log /i "E\vCenter-Server\VMware vCenter Server.msi"
I received this installer Install.log output:
=== Verbose logging started: 2/21/2012 4:23:12 Build type: SHIP UNICODE 5.00.7600.00 Calling process: C:\Windows\system32\msiexec.exe ===
MSI (c) (DC:D8) [04:23:12:689]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell DlgMSI (c) (DC:D8) [04:23:12:689]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg
MSI (c) (DC:60) [04:23:12:704]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (c) (DC:60) [04:23:12:704]: Machine policy value ‘Debug’ is 0
MSI (c) (DC:60) [04:23:12:704]: ******* RunEngine:
******* Product: D:\vpx\VMware vCenter Server.msi
******* Action:
******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (c) (DC:60) [04:23:12:704]: Note: 1: 2203 2: E\vCenter-Server\VMware vCenter Server.msi 3: -2147287039
MSI (c) (DC:60) [04:23:12:704]: MainEngineThread is returning 1620
=== Verbose logging stopped: 2/21/2012 4:23:12 ===
Last week I’ve converted a .VHD (Microsoft Virtual PC) to .VMDK for a customer with the application WinImage, the process was very easy.. a little how to:
WinImage 8.5: Download
It is this time of the year again, and the applications are now open for the vExpert 2012 selection.
In the years past, the program has attracted the most enthusiastic and active VMware users to become vExperts and help us spread knowledge and expertise about VMware technology. vExperts got access to software licenses, betas, and early access programs, as well as exclusive events at VMworld in Las Vegas and Copenhagen.
What’s next? Of course, more of the same. More licenses, more betas, and more VMworld. But starting in 2012, we will also have more vExperts, to include more VMware enthusiasts who may be doing their work of sharing the know-how away from the limelight of the Internet and public events.
Our vExperts in the past have for the most part fallen into two implicit groups: bloggers/writers/evangelists and VMUG leaders. This year, we are making explicit three different paths to becoming a vExpert. As always, the common theme for the established and the new vExpert paths will be going above and beyond your day job to help others be successful with VMware solutions.
Evangelist Path
The Evangelist Path includes book authors, bloggers, tool builders, public speakers, and other IT professionals who share their knowledge and passion with others with the leverage of a personal public platform to reach many people. Employees of VMware can now also apply via the Evangelist path.
Customer Path
The Customer Path is for internal evangelists and community leaders from VMware customer organizations. They have contributed to success stories, customer references, or public interviews and talks, or were active community contributors, such as VMUG leaders.
VPN (VMware Partner Network) Path
The VPN Path is for employees of our partner companies who lead with passion and by example, who are committed to continuous learning and to making their technical knowledge and expertise available to many. This can take shape of event participation, video, IP generation, as well as public speaking engagements.
Although we’re making the three pathways explicit this year, as always, there will remain a single vExpert designation; we aren’t splitting the program into sections. The only change is that now you will be able to select which application path to take, depending on where your main contributions lie.
You will find more details and a link to the application form at vmware.com/go/vexpert2012
The vExpert 2012 page also has a link to an invitation form that you can use to encourage your friends and colleagues who did not previously qualify for a vExpert designation as an Evangelist to apply in the other paths.
VMware vExpert Benefits:
Public recognition of the vExpert award with a certificate, gift, permission to display a logo, and inclusion in any public vExpert listing
Access to a private vExpert community of your peers
Free subscription to conference session materials on VMworld.com
Access to exclusive events, beta programs, software licenses, and other exclusive opportunities to participate in activities with VMware. vExperts do not represent VMware and are not required to participate in any activities
Applications are now open for the vExpert 2012 title. Use the vExpert 2012 form to submit your application, and the invitation form to encourage your peers to apply.
Eric Siebert from vSphere-Land has made (again) a vote page to vote your personal top 10 VMware related blogs. Last year VMpros ended at place 34, maybe this year a higher rank 
>> VOTE NOW
Pick your favorite blog, and cast your vote. The survey will be open for two weeks.
My VMpros top articles over the last 12 months are:
VMware: Migrate multiple vSphere hosts to new subnet + rejoin vCenter with PowerCLI
VMware: My favorite Windows 2008R2 template configuration
VMware: Creating iSCSI network in vSphere ESXi 5.0
VMware: Configure new vSphere 4 host with PowerCLI
VMware: Change Alarm-Actions with PowerCLI
VMware: List VMFS version and blocksize of all datastores with PowerCLI
VMware: The MAC Address entered is not in the valid range
VMware: Configure Multipath Policy via PowerCLI
VMware: Add PortGroup to all hosts in cluster with PowerCLI
VMware: Configure AnywhereUSB/5 G2 in a Virtual Machines
VMware: vSphere Host Update Utility still the fastest way to apply 4.1 Update 1
You can help us to select VMpros.nl at the first page: “top 10 bloggers” and select at page 2 of 3 VMpros.nl as “Non vendor / Independent blogger”
