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In the previous post, I’ve described how is possible integrate the Dell storage array management with the new Microsoft System Center VMM 2012. But of course it is possible to do the same (and from longer time) also using VMware.

With VMware vSphere we could have two different approaches for the integration:

  • One is simple add the storage interface (or part of it) in the tab and/or the menu of vSphere Client by using a vCenter Server plug-in. In this case the integration could be strong or weak, but usually differ from storage and storage. Also there could be some issue if you plan to use the vSphere Web Client.
  • The second is there the storage array (or a specific provider) talk directly with vCenter using specific API: using VASA is possible know some properties of the storage LUNs, and for example integrate this data with the Storage Profile. Note that there are also API for other specific tasks (for example VAAI for storage acceleration and offload), but those are not for management and usually are integrated on storage array and host side.

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As written in a previous post, with Microsoft System Center VMM 2012 is possible manage some (supported) storage array using a SMI-S provider.

In the Dell storage portfoglio, the only solution that (one month ago) had the SMS-S support was the PowerVault MD3xxx series, and althoug not mentioned by Microsoft, was possible include them in the System Center fabric (as written in specific post).

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In the last years, in the virtualization ecosystem, there where three big trends:

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VMware today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DynamicOps, Inc., a provider of cloud automation solutions that enable provisioning and management of IT services across heterogeneous environments – VMware-based private and public clouds, physical infrastructures, multiple hypervisors and Amazon Web Services. Terms of the acquisition were not announced. The acquisition is scheduled to close in Q3 2012 subject to customary closing conditions.

See also:

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Rumors were from some months ago, but today Quest announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Dell. Dell will buying Quest for $2.4 Billion.

Until now, Quest acquisitions were already a big number of players, including:

Curious that Dell list only (for example) this advantages in the acquisition:

  • The Quest One Identity and Access Management solution family adds to Dell’s very strong set of security assets with SonicWALL and Secureworks, creating a comprehensive set of security solutions to address important customer needs.
  • Quest’s Performance Monitoring solutions for applications, networks and databases address a rapidly growing need for our customers. Industry analysts have consistently ranked Quest Foglight as a leading application performance monitoring solution. Businesses of all sizes are looking to reduce their IT complexity and automate workloads for their IT departments. Customers worldwide leverage Foglight to continually monitor their IT environments, proactively identifying and remedying performance issues before they become bigger problems.
  • Quest’s Windows Server Management solutions complement Dell Services’ rapidly growing application modernization practice with recently acquired Clerity Solutions and Make Technologies.
  • Effective database management is critical to the successful operation of most organizations. Quest’s Database Management capabilities offer a strong complement to Dell’s enterprise offering. Today, millions of DBAs, developers, and analysts around the world rely on Quest’s database management tools to simplify their work.

Vizioncore and VKernel products are not included in this example list (apart Foglight), but does it mean that the could become a spin-off, that there are different integration plans or simple that they are considered, but not mentioned.

Now the big challenge will also be to integrate and normalize the 228 separate software products with different languages, frameworks, infrastructure, … This will require a lot of time and also some choices: for example vRanger and AppAssure are two different backup product, one for virtual enviroment and agentless, the second system and image oriented… they could become a single product? Probably not, because are too different, but could be integrated (for example vRanger could become a “virtual agent” for AppAssure) or use common set of tools and products (for example the DR4000 appliance).

For the official announces see:

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The vCenter Operations Manager 5.0 is a powerful tool for monitor a vSphere environment.

But, as writtent in the previous post, the software is distribuited using a vApp (with two VMs) that means the you need DRS if you deploy it on a VMware Cluster. Note that if you deploy it on a standalone ESXi host it does not require DRS.

So how deploy this vApp with a vSphere edition lower than the Enterprise edition?

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The core of vCenter Operations Management is a vApp with two VMs:

  • the UI VM with the user interfaces and some data
  • the analytic VM that is basically the data collect

Both must stay in the same network and on the same cluster. Really curios the choice of the OpenVPN to handle communications between the VM… Maybe there is some future plan to build a multi-tenant solution? Or simple a single UI with multiple collectors?

The installation is quite simple and is basically a OVF deployment. For more info see:

There are some points that you must check during or before the installation:

  • Before you start the deployment you will need to create IP pools in vCenter.
  • Thick Provision Eager Zeroed is the recommended provisioning format. Do not use Thin in production.
  • When you specify an IP allocation scheme, select Fixed or DHCP IP allocation.

Note also that other suite components are different piece of software:

  • vCenter Infrastructure Navigator is still an appliance
  • vCenter Chargeback Manager is a Windows software
  • vCenter Configuration Manager is a little more complicated with also some external dependency (like a DB).
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