VMware - 7

Arne Fokkema over at ict-freak.nl just tweeted about the availability of Workstation 7.1 beta. You can get your copy here: http://communities.vmware.com/community/beta/ws?view=overview

The VMware Workstation 7.1 Beta includes several new features and hundreds of minor improvements. Some release highlights include:

•OpenGL 2.1 support for Windows 7 and Vista guests: The addition of hardware accelerated OpenGL 2.1 support to the WDDM driver enables many more graphics applications to run inside of your virtual machines.
•Improved graphics performance: Significant enhancements have been made to the VMware WDDM driver that have produced benchmark results that are up to 80% faster. The updated driver also produces smoother video playback and addresses many reported rendering issues. Of course games run better as well!
•8-way SMP support plus virtual disks up to 2TB in size: The virtual hardware continues to become more powerful to meet the needs of Workstation customers who are running server class applications.
•OVF 1.0 support: Including the OVF Tool with this release enables users to easily import or export virtual machines and vApps and move them to vSphere or up into the cloud.•Direct Launch: Blur the distinction between running native and virtual applications by launching an application installed in a virtual machine directly from the start menu or taskbar of the host system.
•Automatic software updates: These VMware applications can now detect when a new version is released and are able to update at the click of a button.
•Fedora 12 virtual machines: We are excited about finally offering support for running one of the most popular Linux distributions on the planet!

The vmClient is a lightweight tool which enables you to control the power of your virtual machines, it’s also capable of presenting the MKS console of your virtual machines. Before you can use the vmClient, you have to install the vSphere client on the same system. After starting the vmClient, you can logon to your vCenter server or individual ESX4 or ESX4i host. A list with available virtual machines will be presented after choosing the Virtual Machines menu item, you can also easily identify the power state of the virtual machines. Grey is powered off, green is powered on, yellow is suspended and red indicates that the virtual machine has an alarm. When you’re working in an RDP session there’s a menu item which can generate a Ctrl-Alt-Del in the guest OS instead of pressing Ctrl-Alt-Ins. The vmClient can run without borders in borderless mode. The menu bar has an option to search for virtual machines, just type in the first characters of your virtual machine name and the list will be filtered. 

The number of virtual machines can be too high to fit in the “Virtual Machine” menu item so I’ve added an extra option to disable this menu and use the search menu instead. The option to customize the user interface of the vmClient can be done by changing a few registry settings. You’re able to show or hide menu items using this hive.

 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\NTPRO.NL\vmClient

You can also pre-select a default virtual machine in this hive. There are two recorded demo sessions available, one which show a walkthrough and a second which shows how to convert the vmClient into a VDI client. The trail version is limited to a maximum number of 50 virtual machines and shows a splash screen with my picture in it. The registered version can be bought online and has no virtual machine limit, you can also get rid of the splash screen. :-) The Buy Now link is available in the help menu. If you have any ideas or suggestions on improving the vmClient or you’ve found a bug, you know where to reach me. Have fun with it.

How to convert the vmClient into a VDI client

A general walkthrough

The vmClient 4.0 can be downloaded from this location: http://vmclient.nl/

The session videos recorded by VMware are available at the Virtualization Forum Content Portal, by registering you will gain access to Keynote and Breakout Session records from the 2010 road show.

•  Key-note : transformeer uw bedrijf met VMware
•  Klantverhaal : de virtuele werkplek van PGGM
•  The cloud - internal & external : bouw een interne cloud dat gereed is voor de externe cloud
•  Desktop als een Managed Service
•  Virtualization Management: transformeer het beheer van uw gevirtualiseerde datacenter
•  Application Delivery : implementeer applicaties zonder conflict
•  BC/DR : verbeter business continuity met virtualisatie
•  Platinum sponsorsessies: EMC, HP, NetApp, Trend Micro

http://www.vmware-forum.com/vforum/nijkerk/video/ 

Hi all,

I am happy to announce that beginning today, February 11th, Workstation 7 licenses will begin to go out to all new VCP3s, VCP4s, and those of you who upgraded to VCP4s. If you received a letter (and if you haven't received your kit yet, you will) stating we will be sending you the key, you will now be receiving it!

As for the new VCP Logo, it has been posted to the VCP section of the website. You can download and use the logo on all of your materials.

Apologies to everyone for the delays, and congratulations once again on your achievement!

Regards,

Jon C. Hall
Technical Certification Developer
VMware, Inc.

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003734 This video helps you troubleshoot a situation where VMware VMotion fails at 10%. The video shows you how to perform some of the more common tasks associated with resolving the failure. For more information, you can visit the VMware knowledge base article. The article provides a few more troubleshooting steps for less common issues.

Today I attended the VMware Virtualization Forum event in Nijkerk. It’s a free, interactive full day event where you could learn about virtual infrastructure from experts and industry analysts. I’ve met some good old friends and had a lot of fun. I’ve made some pictures and recorded a 15 minute video so you can get an impression of this great day. Viktor van den Berg over at the Dutch VMUG also created a real video extravaganza.

Continue reading "VMware vForum 2010: Photos - Interviews" »

If you’re a VMware Partner, you should check if your company has completed all of the requirements necessary to remain at the Professional level in the VMware Partner Network.

Recently VMware introduced new benefits to best support your organization with a go-to market business model that is right for you. As a Professional partner in the Solution Provider program, your organization has access to sales & marketing tools, education through Partner University, presence on Partner Locator, not-for-resale licenses, select internal use licenses and much more in order to best support your VMware business needs.

At the 11th of February I’ll deliver a two day VMware Technical Sales Professional (VTSP) boot camp. This is your last change to get VTSP certified in just two days.

11 and 12 februari - Utrecht

Continue reading "Join me at the Dutch VMware VTSP4 Training" »

The VMware Virtualization Forum event is a free, interactive full day event where you will learn about virtual infrastructure from experts, industry analysts and companies like yours. No matter what your company size, there's a virtualization solution for you—from the desktop to the datacenter. You’ll hear from companies of all sizes discuss their virtualization solutions for everything from the desktop to the data center.

Give IT a break. Imagine the day when IT can shift its focus from maintenance to driving efficiency and innovation — and help grow the business. And imagine doing this while fully optimizing financial resources throughout IT, shifting human energy and conserving the earth’s energy.

Rest assured. VMware and its Partners get you there. From the datacenter to the desktop, out to the cloud. Don’t miss your change and see how VMware delivers the world’s most trusted, flexible and dynamic solutions for Business Infrastructure Virtualization.

Learn about: 

• Building an Internal Cloud that is ready for the external Cloud
• Improve Business Continuity with Virtualization
• Transform the Management of Your Virtualized Datacenter
• Desktops as a Managed Service
• Deploy and Run Applications without Conflict

Date : 9 Feb 2010
Place : Nijkerk

http://www.vmware-forum.com/vforum/nijkerk/index.php

Continue reading "Dutch VMware vForum 2010" »

Effective May 2010, VMware will remove all but the most recent versions of their Virtual Infrastructure product binaries from their download web site. As of this date, these Virtual Infrastructure products will have reached end of general support according to the published support policy. The downloadable products removed will include both ESX and Virtual Center releases. For reference, the VMware VI3 support policy can be viewed at this location: www.vmware.com/support/policies/lifecycle/vi.

By removing older releases, VMware is establishing a long-term sustainable product maintenance line for older ESX product releases which have transitioned into the Extended Support life cycle phase. This enables us to baseline all patches and critical fixes against these baselines. This translates to faster customer turn-around and greater product stability during the extended support phase. Virtual Infrastructure products being removed by May 2010:

• ESX 3.5 versions 3.5 GA, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3 and Update 4
• ESX 3.0 versions 3.0 GA, 3.0.1, 3.0.2 and 3.0.3
• ESX 2.x versions 2.5.0 GA, 2.5.1, 2.5.2, 2.1.3, 2.5.3, 2.0.2, 2.1.2 and 2.5.4
• Virtual Center 2.5 GA, 2.5 Update 1, 2.5 Update 2, 2.5 Update 3, 2.5 Update 4 and 2.5 Update 5
• Virtual Center 2.0

Virtual Infrastructure products remaining for Extended Support: These versions will be the baseline for ongoing support during the Extended Support phase. All subsequent patches issued will be based solely upon the releases below.

• ESX 3.5 Update 5 will remain throughout the duration of Extended Support
• ESX 3.0.3 Update 1 will remain throughout the duration of Extended Support
• Virtual Center 2.5 Update 6 expected in early 2010

Customers may stay at a prior version, however VMware’s patch release program during Extended Support will be continued with the condition that all subsequent patches will be based on the latest baseline. In some cases where there are release dependencies, prior update content may be included with patches.