I've been working a lot with Thinapp lately and one thing I keep noticing when users are creating their Thinapp's is; they are neglecting to use a clean capture machine.
Definition of a Clean Machine
So what exactly is a clean machine? A clean machine is a “vanilla” Windows OS and its essential drivers with no other software installed. This also includes updates Microsoft updates. I can't put it any simpler than that.
Why do I need a Clean Machine?
If you are a Thinapp user you'll probably understand that during the capture process you have two main phases. The Pre-Scan and Post-Scan phases. The Pre-Scan phase is run before installation of the software you are Thinapping. It scans the clean machine and makes a note of everything on it. Files, Software, Services, Registry keys etc. The Post-Scan is run after the software you are trying to Thinapp has been installed. The Post-Scan checks for any changes made to the clean machine since the information gathered by the Pre-Scan phase. These differences are then put into the Thinapp package.
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Register today and join your fellow VMware users for this full-day event including in-depth technical sessions, demonstrations and exhibits. This is a great opportunity to meet with your peers to discuss virtualization trends, best practices, and the latest technology!
Location: National Motorcycle Museum
Address: Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 0EJ
Date: 3rd November, 2011
Time: 8am – 16:30pm
This event will feature:
- Wednesday night pre-event networking reception AKA vBeers, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at National Motorcycle Museum – hosted by Veeam Software
- Keynote with Joe Baguley – VMware Chief Cloud Technologist
- Exhibitor area with:
- VMware partners
- Power CLI Drop In Area
- Expert Bar
Meeting Agenda
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I'm pretty sure all of you know I work for VMware's PSO. But did you know that for about the past year I've been specializing in VDI, specifically View? Probably not. Not a lot of people know that! I didn't know that people didn't know that, until recently at a few vBeers events I've been telling people what I've been getting up to and everyone was quite surprised. So I thought I'd share some of my experiences with you.
The two main types of engagements I've been working on are View Plan and Design and VDI Troubleshooting/Healthchecks. All of the engagements mentioned are 1000+ seat environments, all large scale and some global.
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If you are planning on implementing a View 5 environment or running PoC, I would highly recommend you have a look through the following slides. This presentation was delivered at VMWorld 2011.
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When trying to format my local disk on my new ESXi5 host I recieved the error captured in the screenshot. The error give is: Call fails for “HostDatastoreSystem.QueryVmfsDatastore- CreateOptions” for object “ha-datastoresystem”
I did a quick bit of Googling and I found this article which talks you through the steps required to fix this issue with ESX4.1. Part of the process uses fdisk. Fdisk is not available with ESXi5, you are forced to use partedUtil.
I tried various commands to try and fix the problem, but most of the commands returned me the following error:
/dev # partedUtil fix /vmfs/devices/disks/t10.ATA_____VB0250EAVER_____________________________9VMTB7GC____________
Error: The primary GPT table states that the backup GPT is located beyond the end of disk. This may happen if the disk has shrunk or partition table is corrupted. Fix, by writing backup table at the end? diskPath (/dev/disks/t10.ATA_____VB0250EAVER_____________________________9VMTB7GC____________) disk->dev->length (488397168) gpt->AlternateLBA (1465191167)
Error: Can't have a partition outside the disk!
Error: Can't have a partition outside the disk!
The command you need to use to fix this problem is mklabel, for example:
/dev # partedUtil mklabel /vmfs/devices/disks/t10.ATA_____VB0250EAVER_____________________________9VMTB7GC____________ gpt
After you have run this command, head back into the vSphere client and try and format the disk again. Hopefully you should now be successful.
Simon Gallagher over at vinf.net has come up with the idea for a side-workshop/session at the upcoming UK VMUG in November for people that are actively following the VCDX4/5 track.
The format would be that participants get a 15-20min slot to present their design defence to a “panel” comprising of other VMUG members. including some of whom have taken (and failed) the actual defense process with a view to providing feedback and some questioning. The goal is to allow you to dry-run your presentation in-front of a friendly audience of like-minded community members before you brave it for real.
You would need to commit to come prepared with a Powerpoint version of your defence presentation, the panel won’t have seen your full design documents, and won’t be reviewing them.
To register your interest, please visit: http://vinf.net/2011/09/01/peer-to-peer-vcdx-defense-workshop-at-uk-vmug/ and register your interest on the Poll at the bottom of the page.
The SLOG is pretty much known because of the VCP4 practice exams that I have put together for people studying for the VCP4 exam. Well, now I am adding to the resources by introducing an VCP4 Practice Exam app for Android phones. It's based on the same questions found on my website, but now offers you portability to practice on the bus/train/plane or where ever you maybe.
The application is still in Beta which is why I am going to limit how many users I will send the application to. It currently has 40 questions, this will be increasing as I make updates to the application. The application is designed for Android phones, I have also been informed it works fine on Android tablets, albeit a little small on the screen. (Work will be done at some point to optimize it for both phone and tablet.)
If you are interested in receiving the Beta Exam app, please drop me an email via my Contact Me page with the Subject "VCP4 APP". Please make sure you input your correct email address, as I will be adding you to my Beta users list and this is the email address I will email the application to. In return, i'd appreciate your feedback on ways I can improve the application.
Version 4 of the app can be downloaded from the following location: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10120315/Exam_Beta_v4.apk.apk
For some screenshots of the app in action Read the rest of this entry »
Last week I have the pleasure of being part of the latest vSoup Podcast. It was ace! I had a great laugh recording it with the guys. I spent most the time muting my microphone so you couldn't hear me laughing in the background.
The vSoup podcast is the mind child of 3 virtualisation professionals all based in Europe. We did borrow one from the US, and we have no plans on returning him any time soon.
If you haven't heard of the podcast before, I suggest you get yourself over to the vSoup website and download their back catalogue. I especially recommend Episode #10 with special guest Stu Radnidge (@vinternals), it's a laugh a minute, literally!
The vSoup guys are always looking for guests to appear on the podcast, so if you think this is something you'd like to do, then drop them an email or message them on Twitter, I'm sure they'd be glad to have you on…. Unless you are a Fool.
I was reading a discussion on an internal mailing list today about the differences between Thin and Zero desktop clients for VDI. I thought I would summaries the discussion and share it with you as it certainly helped to get it clear in my mind.
Zero Client
- A Zero client is a special purpose / built client that uses a SoC or FPGA.
- It is upgraded using a firmware image. (Think of it like your WiFi router.)
- They all have software and they all run an OS.
- The Teradici zero client for example runs a RTOS ( Real Time OS ) called Thread-X
Thin Client
- A Thin Client is a device that has a stripped down custom OS, customized Linux OS or OEMed Windows Embedded OS.
- The image is typically larger than a firmware payload and in some cases a little more difficult to distribute depending on the management tools.
- Some will argue they need to be managed / patched more and in some way that is true.
An example of a Thin Client would be like VDI Blaster where you have a tiny OS installed on a PC which has only one function and that's to get you to your virtual desktop.
In Summary
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This morning I work up to an email from the VMware certifications team, informing me of my VCAP4-DCA result. I am happy to say, I passed! I was a little shocked, as when I left the exam room I felt sure I had failed. I had spent to long on some tasks and didn't give myself enough time on others.
It was a lot tougher than I expected, mostly due to the time constraints. You really need to know your way around vSphere with the client and putty.
Some recommendations for people taking the VCAP4-DCA
- Attend the VMware vSphere troubleshooting course (A must!)
- If you don't have a lab, get the training DVD's from TrainSignal. They are brilliant at showing you have to complete specific tasks within vSphere, which is much needed for the exam. (Thanks to Trainsignal, for the instant access via their WebPortal)
- Make use of the brilliant blogger resource available out there. Websites like vexperienced.co.uk, seancrookston.com, kendrickcoleman.com. Checkout Gregg Robertson's great VCAP-DCA & DCD resources page for loads more.
Tips
- Don't take too long on each task, if you don't know it, move on. You can always go back to it. (Be aware, some tasks might require actions from earlier tasks).
- Learn commands that will help you. e.g get-help (PowerCLI), esxcli -h etc . It's difficult to remember all syntax's, so just remember where to find them.
- Don't drink too much energy drink before entering the room. You won't want to waste time going to the toilet. Although you might find that the last 10 mins are very uncomfortable if you decide to skip that toilet visit!!! (Talking from experience)
Next step for me is the VCAP4-DCD. I think I might find this one more difficult. I have not done as much design work as I'd like as I've always been more of a (vSphere) client monkey.
