Archive for July, 2011

A micro flash (HP v165w) drive for a HP ProLiant MicroServer N36L

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

For my “Skynet” project, I’ve been looking for a micro 4GB flash drive to hold the various operating systems I’ll be using, operating systems including VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) and  FreeNAS, possibly also Solaris and Nexenta Community Edition. Previously I’ve used Talent flash drives, but these seem in short supply, and are usually metal, and I’ve recently read an interesting Product Advisory about the heat from metal flash drives, and also some metal flash drives have been shorting out inside HP ProLiant DL series servers, using embedded versions of VMware vSphere Hypervisor. So my requirements were to find a plastic cased, in-expensive 4GB flash drive. Enter the HP v165w 4GB Flash Drive, this version comes in many different sizes, and is very small.

HP v165w 4GB Flash Drive

HP v165w 4GB Flash Drive

HP v165w 4GB Flash Drive on Samsung NC10 Netbook keyboard

HP v165w 4GB Flash Drive on Samsung NC10 Netbook keyboard (yes my keyboard really needs a clean!)

A Micro Flash drive for a Microserver!

Also manufacturered by HP (okay, PNY), so HP on HP should work okay. I found the most cheapest place on the Net, was Play.com, but I’ve had to wait over a week for delivery,  delivery is free, but why they had to send them all in individual boxes, I’ll never know. So I’ve not been able to do anything with Skynet, for the last week, waiting for them to arrive.

Eight boxes of HP v165w 4GB flash drives from Play.com

Eight boxes of HP v165w 4GB flash drives from Play.com

Here is the micro flash drive installed in a HP ProLiant Microserver

HP v165w installed in HP ProLiant Microserver N36L

HP v165w installed in HP ProLiant Microserver N36L

The micro server, has a purpose built bootable USB socket on the motherboard, designed for booting embedded operating systems, so the four internal SATA disks can be used to store data, so I you can install the OS on a USB stick!

The HP v165w does not have any LED, or flashing light to indicate the device is in read or write mode, for my purpose ideal, but some folk, may like this feature to see what the flash drive is doing, but personally I think it’s too small for general usage, I’ve had to attach my existing flash drive to 2.5″ hard disk spindle to stop losing it in my pocket! I’m also using this device to replace my existing HP v100w flash drives, installed in my existing DL servers, because I keep catching them and snapping them off!

Post to Twitter

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in All, gadgets, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on A micro flash (HP v165w) drive for a HP ProLiant MicroServer N36L

Banged Up in some Cuban jail somewhere!

Friday, July 29th, 2011

(well not exactly, probably alarmed some people!)

I’m sorry, but this made me laugh so much, my heart almost exploded! So I thought I would share….

If you are a fan of the The Apprentice and Lord Sugar, it’s priceless…

Post to Twitter

Tags: , , ,
Posted in All, television | Comments Off on Banged Up in some Cuban jail somewhere!

HP ProLiant Microserver N36L – Got yours yet?

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

“I’m bulding Skynet, and I’m going to take over the world” – Andy, andysworld.org.uk

We all need to tighten our belts, in these uncertain times, and as electricity costs continue to rise, and it’s predicted that electricity costs will triple over the next ten years, it’s time to start costing the electricity used by our IT equipment [again!]. Many years ago, we consolidated all the servers and workstations we use by using VMware ESX 1.0, this allowed us to consolidate 20 physical servers and workstations with three large HP ProLiants, at the time they were Intel Xeon 500MHz based ProLiant 3000R, 5500R, and 6500R, these were eventually replaced with  three AMD Opteron DL385 and DL585, and MSA SANs. This has reduced our electricity costs, but not far enough. The DL385 uses approximately 600 watts just for the server, it has Dual Processors, and Dual Cores and uses 16GB RAM. With newer designs, some CPUs have become very low power. We currently use VMware vSphere 4.1 U1 to provide virtualisation for Domain Controllers, Microsoft Exchange Servers, Web Servers, SQL Servers, VMware View VDI 4.5/4.6, Firewall appliances, and other development servers. This is all Production, and then we have all the same servers in a Test and Developement Lab, in total approx 48 Virtual Servers, 20 Virtual Workstations of mixed versions from Windows 95, XP, Vista and Windows 7.

HP ProLiant DL385 Box

HP ProLiant DL385 Box

HP ProLiant DL385 Box

HP ProLiant DL385 Box

Enter the HP ProLiant Microserver – full load measured (40 watts). So I’ve purchase 5 to build a new vSphere 5.0 Cluster and using vSphere VSA (Virtual SAN Array). Total Wattage for Five MicroServers – 200 Watts! The wattage per virtual machine will be much lower, resulting in a much lower electricity bill.

Delivery of 5 HP ProLiant Microservers N36L

Delivery of 5 HP ProLiant Microservers N36L

HP ProLiant Microserver N36L (dented box!)

HP ProLiant Microserver N36L (dented box!) The server was fine!

The rumour is that the HP Cashback offer of £100, will be extended to 31 August 2011, it’s due to end on the 31 July 2011.

Post to Twitter

Tags: , , ,
Posted in All, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on HP ProLiant Microserver N36L – Got yours yet?

New HD Video – Installing Cisco Unified Communications Manager 7.0 on VMware Workstation Walkthrough

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Another short 14 minutes Video Walkthrough from the Andysworld factory, how to install Cisco Unified Communications Manager 7.0 on VMware Workstation, this is not a supported Cisco configuration, but ideal for labs or training. You will notice that the installation dectects a VMware product with a warning!

[flv:https://andysworld.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Cisco.flv 480 360]

Post to Twitter

Posted in All, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on New HD Video – Installing Cisco Unified Communications Manager 7.0 on VMware Workstation Walkthrough

Fancy a Free Pass to VMworld 2011

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

A fellow vExpert and Blogger – Greg Stuart over at vdestination.com, is offering a Free Pass to VMworld 2011, Hotel Expenses and $500 towards Air Fare in Las Vegas at the end of August – September 2011, head over to the blog, and respond to the questions on his blog for a chance to win.

You’ve got to be In It to Win It!

Post to Twitter

Tags: ,
Posted in All, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on Fancy a Free Pass to VMworld 2011

Expert of the Quarter Q2 at Experts Exchange

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Two achievements in the same month of July 2011.

1st July 2011 – vExpert 2011

I’ve not had much time to reflect on this, because I received an email out of the blue just before travelling down to Devon and Cornwall on the Friday 1st July 2011!

10 July 2011 – Q2 2011 Expert of the Quarter at Experts Exchange

So, I need a hatrick now.

?? July 2011 – ????

Post to Twitter

Tags: , ,
Posted in All, ExpertsExchange, internet, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on Expert of the Quarter Q2 at Experts Exchange

Back to West Country 2011

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

You may have noticed the abscence of blogs, in the last 12 days, that’s because I’ve been back “home” to the land of the Cream Team. That’s Devon and Cornwall if you’ve never had a scone with Cornish clotted cream.

Cornish Cream Tea
Cornish Cream Tea
Cornish Cream Tea
Ivor Dewdney Pasties, Plymouth

Start Slideshow

A good friend of mine “Boot Ferrule Man” got married. (So Congratulations again to Paul and Sally). Drop by his website http://www.jlbelectronics.com/. So spent 10 days in Devon and Cornwall catching up with folk and doing a few touristy things, like eating Cream Teas, visiting St Ives, Tavistock and The Garden House.

The last time we visited Devon and Cornwall was in 2007.

Post to Twitter

Tags: , ,
Posted in All, general | Comments Off on Back to West Country 2011

I’m a VMware vExpert 2011

Friday, July 1st, 2011

I’ve just recieved the following email.

Dear Andy,

We’re pleased to designate you as a vExpert 2011 as recognition of your contributions to the VMware, virtualization, and cloud computing communities. You’ve done work above and beyond, and we’re delighted to communicate more closely, to share resources, and to offer other opportunities for greater interaction throughout the year as we continue to grow knowledge and success in the community of IT professionals. Welcome to the vExpert 2011 Program!

VMware vExpert 2011

Post to Twitter

Tags: ,
Posted in All, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on I’m a VMware vExpert 2011