The Photo Album! (sorry for the 2nd post in 2 days!)
Finally! (Yes, really… finally!) The holiday photos from our amazing trip to Malaysia in 2023 are now up in the Album. No more delays, no more excuses — just a good old-fashioned dose of reality: everything else always comes before holiday photos. But in the next month, I’m catching up before Bees work takes off!
Let me explain…
Bees, VMware, and… Bees Again
Since returning from Malaysia, life has been buzzing — literally. Between caring for the bees, running Meltonby Honey, preparing fondant blocks, doing swarm control, extracting and jarring honey (with proper batch tracking!), and delivering to customers — it’s a full-time job.
Then, there’s my Hancock’s VMware Half Hour HOW TO series (which keeps growing), all the vExpert stuff, and, oh yes — my actual day job. So when it came to uploading holiday photos? Well… that always ended up at the bottom of the list. Along with finishing my coffee while it’s still warm.
Holiday Snaps – What’s the Point?
I often end up in conversations with people about what we all actually do with our holiday photos. Most of us take thousands on our smartphones, and then what? They just sit in iCloud, Google Photos, or a hard drive somewhere — never looked at again.
And it does raise a good question: If we never view them, why take them in the first place?
The answer, I think, is memories.
They’re little digital keepsakes. Not always for today, but for some rainy day in the future. That’s why I still try to get the best ones up on the website — so we can look back and smile, or relive that adventure, even if it takes me a year (or more!) to get around to doing it.
The Process: Not for the Faint-Hearted
Getting the holiday album onto the website is no quick task. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the magic (eventually) happens:
Devices: We take two Apple iPhones and a trusty DSLR bridge camera. So far, so good.
Storage: Photos land in iCloud, Google Photos, and locally from the DSLR. That’s right — manually copied from the camera (how quaint).
Sorting: Enter Lindsey, who heroically goes through the ~3,000 photos and selects the best ones. (She’s got a great eye!)
Converting: Once selected, I get the fun job of converting hundreds — sometimes thousands — of HEIC images to JPG. Because of course, not everything plays nice on the web.
The Website Album: Now for the real time sink — manually coding the photo album. I’ve been running this HTML-based album for over 20 years now. And honestly? I don’t write much code anymore… so remembering how it all works takes a bit of head-scratching.
Fixes and Tweaks: This year I ran into some broken HTML, incorrect folder names, and layout issues that needed fixing. So it took even longer to get everything polished and just right.
Getting Older (and Slower at HTML)
Let’s be real — this code is vintage. My own custom creation from decades ago. Back then, I had all the tags and folder structures in my head. Now? Not so much. Every time I dive back into it, I feel like I’m solving my own little legacy puzzle.
But hey, it’s done now, and it’s up!
Go Take a Look
So if you fancy a bit of armchair travel, check out the 2023 Malaysia Holiday Photos in the Album. Temples, tropical beaches, cultural sights, food (of course), and lots of little moments that made it such a special trip. The Album Index is here – https://andysworld.org.uk/album/index.html, and includes all the photos from 2006, to present, okay I still now need to complete the last holiday to Sri Lanka in 2025 ! I’ll start on those now!
Thanks for your patience — now I’m off to label some more jars of honey… or fix some vCenter upgrades… or maybe take a nap! Off to edit and publish all the videos to YouTube !
Once upon a time, all great stories start this way, and this one is no different.
Many years ago, Andy & Lindsey bought a house in a small hamlet called Meltonby, located just on the outskirts of the bustling city life, where the pace of life slowed down, and nature had a way of becoming a more prominent feature of everyday living.
We had asked the sellers the usual questions you ask when buying a house — Is it a quiet place? Does it snow in the winter? And do you get snowed in? The sellers assured us, “Oh, it’s quiet here, and it never snows, and we never get snowed in.”
We exchanged contracts and got the keys in July 2006. But the property needed a bit of work: maintenance, decorating, damp-proofing, and some urgent fixes. Oh, and the Fish House had to move in — a story all on its own!
While carefully relocating tanks, checking filters, and making sure the fish were happily acclimatised to their new surroundings, I heard music drifting in the summer air. Parallel Worlds — the kind of tune that stops you in your tracks. At first, I thought someone had a great playlist on.
Then I noticed… it wasn’t being played. It was being rehearsed.
I recognised the song straight away — it was by a band called Elliot Minor, who had supported McFly on tour in 2006. It was surreal, hearing that familiar melody not through speakers, but live, right there in the heart of Meltonby. The kind of unexpected discovery that made you feel like you’d moved into the middle of something quietly extraordinary.
I asked my neighbour about it, and all he could say was, “I think Tim’s kids are in a band!”
A few years later, Tim popped by to ask me to deal with some honey bee swarms that kept turning up at his property, and all became clear!
And a few years ago, I finally met Dan & Ed of Elliot Minor fame due to another swarm call. We spoke of the old days of Elliot Minor in the 20s, and they showed me the original drumkit lying dormant with cobwebs in the “barn.”
I asked them, “Would you ever reform?” They replied, “NEVER!”
Fast forward to 2025, and to my surprise, Elliot Minor have released new music — “HOW DOES IT FEEL” — on a 7-inch limited edition vinyl, and announced a 5-night tour called “Once In a Decade”.
And as for the snow? Well, it does snow in Meltonby, and yes, we do get snowed in from time to time! That first winter, we had to walk 3 miles to the nearest town just to get supplies. It was an adventure of sorts — one that gave us a true sense of isolation and beauty in the winter months, even though it wasn’t quite what the sellers had promised!
And as for quiet? Well, not when Elliot Minor are back! Their rehearsals and music are anything but subtle, and Meltonby suddenly became the least quiet place we had ever imagined — but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
So what other hidden mysteries did the sellers not tell us? The answer, it seems, is that you never quite know what surprises await when you step into a new chapter of life. Whether it’s hidden musical talents, unexpected snowstorms, or the constant buzz of a new adventure, life in Meltonby has been full of them.
As a small token of appreciation for the incredible vExpert community, I have a special giveaway for current VMware vExperts 2024 or 2025! ?
If you’re a vExpert and would like some free vExpert stickers, just go to my Meltonby Honey shop and select vExpert stickers! ? United Kingdom addresses only, 1 2024/2025 sticker per vExpert !
Not a vExpert yet? This could be your year to join the program! ? Apply today and become part of an elite group of VMware advocates!
It’s time for me to sit down and write a blog post, revisiting a special email I received on February 26th. The subject line read: “Welcome to the vExpert Program!”
That simple yet powerful message signified something truly exciting—an official confirmation that I have once again been recognized as a VMware vExpert for 2025. Receiving this award is always an honor, and it never loses its thrill. However, this year holds even greater significance, as it marks my fifteenth consecutive year as a VMware vExpert.
For a decade and a half, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the VMware vCommunity—sharing knowledge, providing support, and engaging with fellow professionals who are just as passionate about VMware technologies as I am. This milestone is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the incredible community that makes the vExpert program so valuable.
I must also take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to Corey Romero, the vExpert Program Manager, who has dedicated so much time and effort to managing and growing the vExpert program over the years. His unwavering support and commitment have played a huge role in making this program what it is today.
Why You Should Apply for the vExpert Program
But the purpose of this blog, if you are reading this, is to encourage you to apply for the vExpert Program. If you’ve ever considered it—or even if this is the first time you’re hearing about it—now is the perfect time to get ready for the 2025 Second Half Application Period!
The VMware vExpert Program is a self-nominated award that recognizes individuals who actively share their VMware expertise with the community. Whether it’s through blogging, public speaking, creating video tutorials, contributing code, or supporting others in forums, vExperts are passionate about giving back.
How to Apply
Create a vExpert account
Complete your profile (this is mandatory)
Submit your application during the next open period
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, keep reading for details on what it takes—or reach out to a vExpert PRO, who is there to help guide you through the process.
Qualifications for the vExpert Award
To be eligible for the vExpert award, you need to demonstrate consistent community contributions beyond your daily job responsibilities. For the 2025H2 (Second Half) award, judges will review your activities from 2024 and 2025 (up to the voting period).
Here’s how you can earn the vExpert Award:
? Enterprise/Internal Influencer – Lead VMware knowledge-sharing sessions, webinars, or workshops within your organization.
? Blogging – Write articles on VMware technologies, best practices, and industry trends.
? Code Sharing – Contribute scripts or tools via GitHub, VMware {code}, or internal repositories.
? Event Speaking – Present at VMUG events, VMware Explore, or other industry conferences.
? Podcasting – Host or co-host a VMware-focused podcast.
? Video Content – Create educational tutorials or product demos on YouTube.
? Online Forums – Provide support in VMTN, Reddit, or other VMware-focused communities.
? VMUG Leadership Support – Assist in running a local VMUG chapter.
Auto-Approved Categories
Certain categories of contributors receive automatic approval, though they must still submit an application:
? Book Authors – If you’ve published a VMware-related book in the past year.
? VCDX Certification Holders – Automatically qualify but must still apply.
? Moderators of VMTN or Reddit – Eligible after verification.
? VMUG Leaders – Active leadership roles qualify for auto-approval.
Benefits of Being a vExpert
As a vExpert, you receive exclusive benefits, including:
? A one-year complimentary VMUG Advantage subscription
? 3-year VCF or VVF home lab license (requires passing a VCP-VCF or VCP-VVF exam)
? 50% off VMware certification exams
? Access to over 1,300 vExperts worldwide
? Private & technical deep-dive webinars with VMware teams
? Early access to product betas and pre-launch briefings
? Private vExpert-only communication channels
? Recognition in the official vExpert online directory
? Invites to exclusive community leadership events at VMware Explore
When & How to Apply
The vExpert application process occurs twice a year. The first submission period runs from December to mid-January, while the second period opens later in the year, offering another chance to apply.
Once applications close, the vExpert team reviews submissions, and winners are announced via email. If you don’t get selected, you can appeal within five business days or enhance your contributions and reapply in the next period.
If you want to be recognized for your VMware contributions, don’t wait—start preparing your application today!
For guidance, check out the vExpert Best Practice Guide or reach out to a vExpert PRO in your region for tips on improving your application.
A year after Broadcom announced the retirement of the FREE VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi), making it unavailable for download without a licensed entitlement, I had a light bulb moment in a dream… ? In this video, I reveal how you can STILL access and download ESXi 6.0, 6.5, 6.7, 7.0, and even 8.0.3—completely FREE! Whether this is an oversight, a loophole, or just pure luck, the fact remains: ESXi is still obtainable, and I’ll show you exactly how. Plus, I’ll also share how you can run your own homelabs for free using VMware Workstation Pro 17.6! No tricks, no gimmicks—just real solutions for those who need ESXi. ? Watch now to take advantage before this disappears! ? #VMware#ESXi#FreeESXi#VMwareHomelab#VMwareWorkstation#Broadcom#virtualizationsoftware
After much anticipation, The ComputeBlade has finally arrived! This innovative piece of hardware has been making waves in the compact computing and homelab community since its inception as a Kickstarter project, which closed in February 2023. While the Kickstarter campaign was highly successful, the journey to delivery has been anything but smooth.
The ComputeBlade Journey
For those unfamiliar, the ComputeBlade is an ambitious project by Uptime Lab designed to bring powerful, modular computing to a compact blade-style chassis. It offers support for Raspberry Pi Compute Modules (CM4) and similar SBCs, providing a platform for homelab enthusiasts, developers, and small-scale edge computing setups.
However, the project has faced several setbacks that delayed delivery for many backers:
Russian Screws: Supply chain disruptions included sourcing specific screws, which became problematic due to geopolitical tensions.
PoE (Power over Ethernet) Issues: The team encountered complications ensuring consistent and safe PoE functionality.
Certification Challenges: Meeting various regulatory standards across regions added another layer of complexity.
Despite these hurdles, I opted to purchase my ComputeBlades retail, as Kickstarter backers have yet to fully receive their units.
For those interested in the Kickstarter campaign details, you can check it out here.
First Impressions
The retail packaging was sleek, compact, and felt premium. The ComputeBlade itself is a marvel of design, seamlessly blending form and function. Its modularity and expandability immediately stand out, with features such as:
Support for Raspberry Pi CM4: Making it a natural fit for virtualization, containerization, and other development projects.
Hot-Swappable Design: Simplifies maintenance and upgrades.
Integrated Networking: Includes options for advanced network setups, perfect for a homelab.
What’s Next?
Now that the ComputeBlade has arrived, I’m eager to put it through its paces. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be:
Testing Homelab Applications: From running lightweight virtual machines to hosting containers using Docker or Kubernetes.
Evaluating Networking Features: Especially the PoE capabilities and how it handles edge computing scenarios.
Sharing Configurations: I’ll document how I integrate it into my existing homelab setup.
Closing Thoughts
While the journey of the ComputeBlade from Kickstarter to retail has been rocky, the product itself seems poised to live up to its promise. If you’ve been waiting for a scalable and compact compute platform, the ComputeBlade might just be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Stay tuned for my follow-up posts where I dive deeper into its performance and practical applications. If you’re also experimenting with the ComputeBlade, feel free to share your experiences in the comments or reach out via social media.
Welcome to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour! This is the Full Monty Version, the MEGA Full Movie on configuring and installing VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi ARM 8.0.3b on a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. The CM4 is installed in a Turing Pi v2 Mini ITX Clusterboard, delivering a compact and powerful platform for ARM virtualization.
In this 1 hour and 19-minute guide, I’ll take you step-by-step through every detail, covering:
? Demonstrating Raspberry Pi OS 64-bit booting on CM4.
? Creating and installing the ESXi ARM UEFI boot image.
? Configuring iSCSI storage using Synology NAS.
? Setting up ESXi ARM with licensing, NTP, and NFS storage.
? A full walkthrough of PXE booting and TFTP configuration.
? Netbooting the CM4 and finalizing the ESXi ARM environment.
? Flashing the BMC firmware is covered in this video
? Replacing the self-signed Turing Pi v2 SSL certificate with a certificate from Microsoft Certificate Services. is covered in this video
As an avid enthusiast of VMware’s innovations, I’m diving headfirst into the ESXi ARM Fling v2.0, which is built on the robust VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 8.0.3b codebase. The ARM architecture has always intrigued me, and with this latest version, VMware has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with ESXi on ARM devices. It’s a playground full of potential for anyone experimenting with lightweight, power-efficient infrastructures.
The Turing Pi Journey
After much anticipation, my Turing Pi Mini ITX boards have arrived! These boards are compatible with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, offering a modular, scalable setup perfect for ARM experimentation. With a few Compute Module 4s ready to go, I’m eager to bring this setup to life. However, finding a suitable case for the Turing Pi board has proven to be a bit of a challenge.
Case Conundrum
While Turing Pi has announced an official ITX case for their boards, it’s currently on preorder and comes with a hefty price tag. For now, I’ve decided to go with a practical and versatile option: the Streamcom Mini ITX OpenBench case. Its open-frame design is functional, and it’ll keep the board accessible during testing and configuration.
I’m also considering crafting my own custom case. Using laser-cut wood or acrylic is an appealing option, offering the opportunity to create something unique and tailored to my specific requirements. But for now, the OpenBench case will do nicely as I explore the ESXi ARM Fling.
Why ESXi ARM Fling v2.0?
The ESXi ARM Fling project is an exciting venture for anyone who loves to experiment with virtualization. Running ESXi on ARM hardware offers several advantages:
Energy efficiency: ARM boards consume far less power compared to traditional x86 systems.
Cost-effectiveness: Affordable hardware like the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 makes it accessible to a wider audience.
Flexibility: The compact form factor of ARM devices is ideal for edge computing, IoT, or even small-scale home labs.
The v2.0 update introduces enhanced support, better performance, and bug fixes, making it an excellent choice for exploring the ARM ecosystem.
What’s Next?
With the hardware in hand and the ESXi ARM Fling v2.0 ready to install, I’m planning to dive into:
Setting up and configuring the Turing Pi board with ESXi.
Testing the system’s stability, performance, and scalability using multiple Raspberry Pi Compute Modules.
Exploring practical use cases, such as lightweight Kubernetes clusters or edge computing applications.
I’ll share updates on the build process, challenges, and performance insights in future posts. For now, I’m excited to get started and see what this setup can achieve.
Stay tuned for more! If you’ve experimented with the ESXi ARM Fling or have tips for working with the Turing Pi board, I’d love to hear from you.
In this video presentation which is part of the Hancock’s VMware Half Hour I will show you HOW TO: Manually remove a failed vSAN disk group from a VMware vSphere vSAN cluster using ESXCLI.
The VMware vSphere vCenter Server web client has difficulty in performing some vSAN actions, so we need to connect via SSH to the bash shell of the ESXI host to perform this action using the following command
esxcli vsan storage remove -u <VSAN Disk Group UUID>
In this video presentation which is part of the Hancock’s VMware Half Hour I will show you HOW TO: Migrate physical, virtual and cloud based workloads with real-time replication to VMware vSphere (ESXi) or Microsoft Hyper-V using OpenText Migrate.
Ten years ago I wrote the following article about the product Double-Take MOVE by Vision Solutions. It’s been acquired in the last ten years, by Carbonite, and now is in the hand of OpenText, and is name going forward will be OpenText Migrate.
HOW TO: Migrate physical, virtual and cloud based workloads with real-time replication to VMware vSphere (ESXi) using Double-Take MOVE
In these uncertain times, when you may be required to migrate workloads between platforms, such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V etc I can highly recommend OpenText Migrate. as one of the best products on the market for your Migration Project.
In this video I will demonstrate the migration of an Linux Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Server from Microsoft Hyper-V to VMware vSphere, and concurrently migrate a Microsoft Windows 2022 Server from VMware vSphere to Microsoft Hyper-V, with very little downtime.
![[Valid RSS]](http://andysworld.org.uk/images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")