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Hyper-V 2012 vs. vSphere 5.1

13 August 2013
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Reading Time: 10 minutesAlthough there are some comparison between Hyper-V 2012 R2 (the version 4 of this product) and the existing vSphere 5.1 suite (like this one: Comparing WS2012 R2 Hyper-V and vSphere 5.1), I prefer keep consistency in the available product versions and compare the actual releases (and replace the precedent and old comparison between Hyper-V 2012 and vSphere 5.0). The 3rd release of Microsoft Hyper-V and the VMware ESXi (and vSphere suite) 5.1 has similar technical features (and both of them are in the top-right Gartner quadrant), and probably for the first time, VMware has added […]

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Using ImageBuilder to make custom ESXi ISO

31 July 2013
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Reading Time: 2 minutesOn a previous post, I’ve write on how build custom ESXi ISO with 3rd part tools. Those tools are not mentioned by VMware so probably are not supported. But you need a custom ISO in order to install ESXi on a host where the network drivers are missing (storage could be not an issue if you install it on a USB/Flash card). The other solutions are use a vendor related custom ISO or the embedded version that probably already include the right drivers. But in order to build your custom ISO you could use the […]

VMware

ESXi Installable vs. ESXi Embedded

Reading Time: 2 minutesESXi is the unified version of the VMware hypervisor, but it could be installed on a host in different way: Embedded: is a OEM version usually shipped with the host Installable: is the one available from the VMware download site PXE: is used in the AutoDeploy environment If could be obvios know if you have a PXE type, how is possible find if you have an Installable or Embedded version? The destination media is not enough because you can install ESXi also over the vendor’s SD card used for the embedded versions.

Highlights, VMware

Virtualization products comparison

26 June 2013
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Reading Time: 4 minutesVirtualization products comparisons are almost common, but usually are too much (single) vendor oriented and each try to bring better conclusion on its products. So it’s difficult find something that it’s really independent. Also customer experiences could be polarized by their knowledge and the experience itself, or (and this could be worst) by a better design or architecture choice. I’ve write something one year ago (see this post), but of course products change so things also change. So part is still valid and part must be updated.

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VMware vSphere 5.1 upgrade path – ESXi

15 February 2013
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Reading Time: 2 minutesAfter the vCenter Server (described in the previous post) and the VUM part (this could a simple upgrade, by keeping the existing DB, or a re-install), you can go through the ESXi part. A re-install from scratch could be simple, but you may loose some information (unless you use Host Profiles). For more information see upgrading to ESXi 5 vs doing a Fresh Install. Note that if you need 3rd part drivers, you may have to build your how ISO version (see: how to add ESXi custom drivers to the installation ISO).

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VMware vSphere 5.1 – PSOD during host reboot

18 January 2013
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Reading Time: < 1 minuteI’ve got a case of a host upgraded to VMware vSphere 5.1 with a determinist PSOD during each host reboot or shutdown (I’ve found the issue during the first patch update). No difference if hosts where rebuild from scratch with a similar configuration. And no difference with all recent ESXi patches. After a full upgrade of each BIOS, firmware and drivers (and of course the HCL verification) I’ve only found the KB 2038281 (ESXi 5.1 host fails with a purple diagnostic screen when Beacon probing is enabled). Syntoms where similar: Cannot reboot a ESXi 5.1 […]

VMware

How to add ESXi custom drivers using an USB key

15 January 2013
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Reading Time: 2 minutesAs written in the previous post, one common issue with recent servers of new generations is that maybe the NIC drivers are not included in the standard ESXi ISO. An if you use the vendor (or a personal) customized ISO, could be possible that during a patch update or a version upgrade you loose the drivers and the system is no working anymore. In those cases you may have an ESXi that complete his bootstrap, but without any network connectivity is not usable and could be hard to fix the missing drivers because VUM and […]

Highlights, VMware
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