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Archive for the ‘Virtualisation’ Category

ESXi on ARM – Andy’s BOM !

Saturday, October 24th, 2020

If you’ve been living under a rock you may not know that a recent VMware Fling was released of ESXi on ARM. You can check out my articles on Experts Exchange http://vexpert.me/ESXionARM and http://vexpert.me/ESXi-ARM-BOOT-from-SAN

This is my 4 (four) Raspberry Pi 4B Cluster of VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0 for ARM.

vSphere Cluster

It’s based on 4 x Raspberry Pi 4B, Cluster/Rack, PoE and 4 x SanDisk 16GB MicroSD cards.

4 x Raspberry Pi 4B 8GB version from CPC (cheapest supplier in the UK, if they have stock)

4 x PoE HAT from Amazon

I did originally purchase a “Cluster” power supply at 2.4A per port, you’ll not need anymore unless you have external devices connected to your Pi, and then you may need 3A per port! switched to PoE!

5 Port LCD Charger from Amazon

Cables

So the BOM (bill of materials is as follows)

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10th Year a VMware vExpert

Tuesday, February 25th, 2020

VMware vExpert 10 Years

VMware vExpert 2020

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VMware vSphere Hypervisor ESXi 6.5a on a HP/HPE DL380 G5 – IT WORKS!

Thursday, February 16th, 2017

Sad looking DL380G5

Yes, we all know that the HP/HPE DL380 G5 is not on the VMware Hardware Compatibility list, the last ESXi supported operating system was either 4.1 – 5.0, depending upon your Xeon version. But these make ideal lab servers, and one very important function is if you remove the spinning rust disk drives from the disk carriers, you can swap them directly for consumer SSDs. So this makes an ideal test vSAN. 8 SSDs, and if you happen to have enough DL380G5, and we do…. you can build a larger cluster!

VMware HCL

VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0 does install and run on the DL380 G5, see here – INSTALL ESXI 6.0 ON A DL380 G5 – YES IT WORKS, but for shits and giggles, I want the latest and greatest 6.5!

DL380 G5 running ESXi 6.0

and if you try to install ESXi 6.5 on a HP/HPE DL380 G5 with a Xeon 51xx series you will get the following error message

CPU_SUPPORT ERROR

from the VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5 release notes

CPUs removed...

You will see the Xeon 51xx series has been removed from the code, and I also believe that more Xeon series will be removed with the next version 7.0 of ESXi, including all 52xx, 53xx and 54xx.

So I just happen to have some Xeon 5430, on my desk as coasters!

Not a matched pair of Xeon 5430

This pair are not matched…. I don’t think the world is going to come to and end…so, swap them and all will be fine…and the DL380G5 makes this simple, unlock the heat sink bar, unclip the processor clips, remove and replace…

So here you go, ESXi 6.5a on HP/HPE DL380 G5 -” IT WORKS!”

ESXi 6.5 on DL380G5

A quick tip, download the last firmware disk from HPE Firmware 10.10, and update your DL 380G5 before you swap the processors! In fact I found this server, had never had any firmware upgrades still on stock firmware!

Tags: DL380G5, Hewlett Packard, HP, HPE, Xeon
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I won an Amazon Echo – Thanks @ExpertsExchange

Tuesday, January 10th, 2017

In December I was notified by Experts Exchange, that I had won an Amazon Echo in the Contribute on Experts Exchange and Win competition for this Experts Exchange Article

HOW TO: Perform a Physical to Virtual (P2V) Conversion the easy way from a computer backup (image).

I actually think this is the Best Golden Nugget for FREE in years! (The Echo and Veeam Endpoint)

Thanks Experts Exchange and to readers of the article.

Box from Experts Exchange with Customs Duty stickers!

Amazon Echo sealed box

Amazon Echo open box

As for it’s setup, the Amazon Echo Saga continues…

Tags: Amazon Echo, Experts Exchange, Veeam Endpoint
Posted in All, computing, ExpertsExchange, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on I won an Amazon Echo – Thanks @ExpertsExchange

VMware vSphere Client (C#) R.I.P

Wednesday, May 18th, 2016

Today VMware have announced the VMware vSphere Client (C#) is deprecated. This has been on the cards for many years.

Going forward the HTML 5 Web Client will be the only supported method of managing VMware vSphere.

Goodbye vSphere Client for Windows (C#) – Hello HTML5

Tags: C#, HTML 5, VMware, VMware vSphere, VMware vSphere Client, vSphere, vSphere Client, web, Web Client
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HOW TO: Install AsterixNOW PBX in a Virtual Machine hosted by VMware Workstation

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016

A very quick video, which shows HOW TO: Install AsterixNOW PBX in a Virtual Machine hosted by VMware Workstation.

Tags: AsterixNOW, Virtual Machine, VMware Workstation
Posted in All, computing, ExpertsExchange, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on HOW TO: Install AsterixNOW PBX in a Virtual Machine hosted by VMware Workstation

Mystery box from Experts Exchange?

Wednesday, April 20th, 2016

This morning I had a delivery from Experts Exchange.

What's in the box ?

This is what's in the box!

The reason for so many shirts, I give them to friends, staff colleagues, and students! If you want a shirt just ping me an email!

Tags: Experts Exchange, Experts-Exchange.com
Posted in All, ExpertsExchange, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on Mystery box from Experts Exchange?

Join the next VMware vSphere Public Beta Program

Friday, April 15th, 2016

I’ve been given the nod, I can publish this…..

Want to get a head start, and look and test the next VMware vSphere release, VMware vSphere Public Beta Program

Click the link and Join Here

VMware vSphere Public Beta Program

Participants are expected to:

• Online acceptance of the Master Software Beta Test Agreement will be required prior to visiting the Private Beta Community

• Install beta software within 3 days of receiving access to the beta product

• Provide feedback within the first 4 weeks of the beta program

• Submit Support Requests for bugs, issues and feature requests

• Complete surveys and beta test assignments

• Participate in the private beta discussion forum and conference calls

vSphere Beta Program Overview

We are excited to announce the upcoming VMware vSphere Beta Program. This program enables participants to help define the direction of the most widely adopted industry-leading virtualization platform. Folks who want to participate in the program can now indicate their interest by filling out this simple form. The vSphere team will grant access to the program to selected candidates in stages. This vSphere Beta Program leverages a private Beta community to download software and share information. We will provide discussion forums, webinars, and service requests to enable you to share your feedback with us.

You can expect to download, install, and test vSphere Beta software in your environment or get invited to try new features in a VMware hosted environment. All testing is free-form and we encourage you to use our software in ways that interest you. This will provide us with valuable insight into how you use vSphere in real-world conditions and with real-world test cases, enabling us to better align our product with your business needs.

Some of the many reasons to participate in this beta opportunity:

• Receive early access to the vSphere Beta products

• Interact with the vSphere Beta team consisting of Product Managers, Engineers, Technical Support, and Technical Writers

• Provide direct input on product functionality, configurability, usability, and performance

• Provide feedback influencing future products, training, documentation, and services

• Collaborate with other participants, learn about their use cases, and share advice and learnings

Tags: Beta, ESXi, VMware, VMware vSphere Public Beta Program
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RARE – Intel Xeon E3-1220LV2 Processor for my HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8

Tuesday, April 12th, 2016

Here is the replacement processor for my HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8. It has taken me a while to track this one down. It has a TDP of only 17 watts, compared to the stock Intel Celeron G1610T, which has a TDP of 35 watts.

These are like rocking horse dodo…

It’s an Intel Xeon E3-1220L V2, it’s a low power, 17 watt, 2 Core, 4 Thread Xeon with Intel VT-d.

I’m waiting for my thermal compound, before I install it.

Tags: Celeron G1610T, Gen8, HP ProLiant Microserver, Intel, Xeon E3-1220LV2
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Experts Exchange sponsor me to go to VMworld Europe 2015 in October

Friday, February 6th, 2015

For being awarded Top Contributor 2014 at Experts Exchange, my prize, not only the usual T-shirts, and trophies, but also an all expensive paid trip to VMworld Europe 2015!

So it’s not all about T-Shirts!