Welcome to (hopefully) the tail end of winter! A few brief glimpses of sun has me hopeful that the dreary days are behind us!

There is a lot of VMware Virtualization news to cover this month.  Some important changes are noted in the Highlights section

Highlights for the Month

vSphere 6.0 & vCenter Server 6.0 will be at End of General Support on March 12th, 2020. Note:  Even if your hosts won’t support a later version of vSphere, if they are on at least 6.0, you can still update vCenter Server to 6.5 or 6.7

Microsoft changes to LDAP Binding Requirements may impact vCenter Server and App Volumes
Apparently Microsoft will be changing how AD handles LDAP requests in their March 2020 updates.  Any LDAP requests that are not using TLS could be negatively impacted. The tech marketing team for vCenter has written an article on how these changes to MS LDAP Channel Binding & Signing could affect vCenter.

There are 3 protocols that will bind vCenter to Active Directory for authentication:

• Unencrypted LDAP (LDAP:\\)
• LDAP encrypted with TLS (LDAPS:\\)
• Integrated Windows Authentication (IWA)

According to VMware testing, TLS\LDAPS and Integrated Windows Authentication binding methods are not impacted by this change.    I have received customer feedback that the MS tool that helps report on unencrypted LDAP requests is including applications that are using IWA bindings.

It appears App Volumes could be impacted as well.  There is a KB article (KB 77093) that discusses what VMware is working on for this and what you can do about it.

Upcoming changes to VMware CPU-based licensing
Beginning April 2nd, 2020, Any VMware software that is licensed on a per-CPU basis will require 1 CPU license for up to 32 physical cores.  If a CPU has more than 32 physical cores than an additional CPU license will be required.  You can read the full VMware CPU Licensing Change Announcement, as well as check out KB 77098, which describes how you can count the CPU cores in your environment (either using the vCenter Client or a PowerShell script).

Adobe Flash is near End of Life
Adobe has announced that they will EOL Flash at the end of 2020.  This likely means that browser manufacturers will stop supporting Flash-based apps in their browsers at some point this year.  (The Adobe article has links to the major browser partners and their plans)

The vSphere Web Client included with vCenter Server 6.7 releases (beginning in April 2018) have full HTML5 feature parity and no longer require Flash.  If you haven’t upgraded yet, now is the time to start planning.    A few things to check before you upgrade:

• Host Compatibility – The hosts don’t have to run the same version as vCenter.  There is a interoperability matrix to show compatible versions.  Hint: vSphere 6.0 & Later
• Software Compatibility – make sure any solutions that integrate with vCenter are supported.  VMware has a searchable Product Interoperability Matrix for products like Horizon, vRealize, etc.   You should also check any third-party solutions (backup, reporting, etc)
• vCenter Client Plugins – If you use a client plugin to manage your SAN, A/V, etc you should also check with that vendor to make sure it is supported.

Continue reading “vToolbelt – February 2020”

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year!  2020 is off to a rapid start.  I continue to write 2019 as the date (per usual).

Product Support Highlight

• A number of core vSphere products are nearing the end of General Support (particularly vSphere 6.0 & vCenter Server 6.0 in March).  You can find out the exact date in the Product Watch section.

Upcoming Events

Cleveland VMUG
Date: Tuesday, January 28th
Time: 9:30AM – 4:00PM

Learning Docker & Kubernetes on a boat!
Docker and Kubernetes have become household words in most IT shops during this session you will have the opportunity to learn about them hands-on.  We will discuss basic constructs then put that knowledge into action in provided lab environments.  You will have the opportunity to deploy, operate and troubleshoot container applications.  You should leave this session with a basic knowledge of how to operate Kubernetes in enterprise environments.  Lunch will be included during this six-hour event at the LeanDog HQ in Cleveland.

Requirements: Each attendee needs to bring a laptop with wireless connectivity that will allow them to operate the labs.  In order to access the labs everyone will need to have a free mylearn.vmware.com account.   Attendees need to verify their ability to login to mylearn.vmware.com in advance of the lab.

Register at VMUG.COM

Toledo VMUG
Date: Wednesday, January 29th
Time: 11:30AM – 1:30PM

The first 2020 meeting of the Toledo VMUG has been scheduled for January 29th!  It will be held at the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan (7668 Kings Pointe Road Toledo, OH 43617)

This meeting will focus on security and the requirements and challenges that faces companies every day. Centracomm is the sponsor.

Register at VMUG.COM

Continue reading “vToolbelt – January 2020”

Hello everyone!  I can’t believe it is the end of November already.  Thanksgiving is nearly upon us so I’ll keep the virtualization news light.  A few key things this month:

• A number of core vSphere products are nearing the end of General Support (particularly vSphere 6.0 & vCenter Server 6.0).  You can find out the exact date in the Product Watch section.
• The last Ohio SLED VMUG for 2019 is on 12/3.  We will be talking about VMware Skyline and a recap of VMworld.  Arctic Networks is sponsoring and will be presenting on the Security Operations offering. We hope to see you there!  You can register at VMUG.COM.
• Earlier this month I sent out a message about a new Speculative Execution bug (VMSA-2019-0020).  The full remediation for this issue has 2 parts (patch the code and make a config change to enable the full fix).  The required config change is noted in the advisory but unfortunately is a bit buried.  You can find the details in KB 59139.  This is linked in the overall advisory but isn’t called out as well as it could be.  Please read the full document.  There are performance impacts – particularly for anyone running Nested Virtualization.

Upcoming Events

Ohio SLED VMUG
Date: Tuesday, December 3rd
Time: 8:30AM – 11:30AM

Topics:

• VMware Skyline – This is a free tool available to anyone with valid support contract.  It can help make the support experience better.  If you hate uploading log bundles you need to check this out!
• VMworld 2019 recap
• Arctic Wolf – they are sponsoring the event and will discuss their Cyber Security Operations offering

Register at VMUG.COM

Continue reading “vToolbelt – November 2019”

Hello everyone!   It may not feel like fall yet; but it is October already!  A few key things in the VMware Virtualization space this month:

• A number of core vSphere products are nearing the end of General Support (particularly vSphere 6.0 & vCenter Server 6.0).  You can find out the exact date in the Product Watch section.
• On October 16th, VMware will host the vForum, a live on-line virtual event that you can attend for free.  Get more details below

Upcoming Events

On-Line vForum (October 16th)

vForum is VMware’s largest virtual event and will provides access to the latest information on VMware technology.  It is a live on-line event that is free and does not require travel.  There will be 38 technical breakout sessions, live Q&A Video chats and Instructor Led Hands-On Labs.

Block out your calendar for the afternoon of October 16th and register today!

Continue reading “vToolbelt – October 2019”

I’ve been on Summer Hiatus; but summer break is one of those good things that must eventually come to an end.    I hope that everyone has found some time to get away and re-charge your batteries during the busy summer season.

Upcoming Events

Central Ohio VMUG – 8/6/19
COVMUG is doing a hands-on lab with Docker & Kubernetes.  Bring your laptop for this 8a-2p meeting where you will get hands on keyboard lab time with containers.  Go to VMUG.COM and register

Ohio SLED VMUG – 8/13/19
The Ohio SLED VMUG meeting will have presentations on Day 2 Operations  by the OARnet TAMS (Matt Lydy for Gov and Arron King for EDU).  There will also be a group discussion on IT Careers in SLED.  Register at VMUG.COM

Product Watch

The following products are nearing the End of General Support.  You can find the full list on the VMware Lifecycle Product Matrix.

Continue reading “vToolbelt – August 2019”

We are full on into spring.  The flowers are blooming, and I am cutting grass twice a week.  Welcome to the April 2019 edition of vToolBelt.   vSphere 6.7 Update 2 is the big news this month.  It is out and hot. We will also cover VMware Project Skyline.

For those of you still running vSphere 6.0, don’t look over your shoulder – End of General Support is less than a year away.  Time to start planning the upgrade!

Let’s get to it!

Product Watch

The following products are nearing the End of General Support.  You can find the full list on the VMware Lifecycle Product Matrix.

 Notes from the Field

Continue reading “vToolbelt – April 2019”

vToolbelt March 2019

Welcome to the middle of March and Saint Patrick’s Day!  February flew by so fast I missed it. Conference season is starting to spin up.  In this edition of vToolbelt, we have important information for those upgrading to Horizon 7.8 or NSX 6.4.4.    There are also a few links to tools that can make your life easier.  Pop open your favorite Irish Beverage and do some reading!

Upcoming Events

Cincinnati VMUG
Join the Cincinnati VMUG team on the University of Cincinnati campus for an overview of VMware AppDefense and Carbon Black.

March 28, 2019 / 11am-1:30
Register

Central Ohio VMUG UserCON

At this free, one-day conference, you will:

• Connect with hundreds of VMware users in your area
• Attend educational sessions on the latest industry trends and topics
• Get an inside look at exciting VMware and partner products and services
• Experience product demonstrations first hand
• Mingle with industry experts

April 2, 2019 / 8:00 AM
Register

Continue reading “vToolBelt – March 2019”

Welcome to Janaury!  It is pretty chilly here in Ohio; but fortunately my hands are warm enough to type and bring you some VMware news!  Light a fire, pull up a chair and read on for some virtualization news!

Upcoming Events

VMware 2019 Technology Outlook webcast
Join VMware vSphere Experts and fellow VMware TAM customers in a roundtable discussion around upgrading to vSphere 6.7 at Join VMware VP & CTO, Chris Wolf as he explores VMware’s Strategic Priorites for 2019 and beyond.  This will include cloud and security trends and how customers can stay at the forefront of these technological advancements
January 31 @ 2pm EST – Register

VMware on VMware Webinar
In this webinar, VMware IT will review VMware’s internal deployment of Workspace ONE and how it enables employee self-service, single sign-on to multiple applications (internal as well as SAAS), and simplifies management of mobile devices.
February 12 – 12pm EST – Register 

The 5 Core principles of Cyber Hygiene webinar
How VMware applies the five core principles of cyber hygiene will highlight how a multinational technology company enables and secures a highly diverse workforce. From micro-segmentation, to cloud and encryption, learn from actual practitioners on what has worked for VMware.
January 23 -12pm – Register

Continue reading “vToolbelt – January 2019”

Upcoming Events

Central Ohio VMware Users Group (12/18) – Join COVMUG for the final meeting of the year!

Meeting Agenda:

• 8:30 AM: Peer Networking with Morning Refreshments
• 9:00 AM: Pure Data Freedom – Kyle Keller and Matt Montes, Pure Storage
• 9:45 AM: Break
• 10:00 AM: The Trials and Tribulations of Using Virtual Volumes (VVOLs) – Brian Parks
• 10:30 AM: PowerShell Workshop (be prepared to code!) – Kurt Bohman
• 11:30 AM: Wrap-Up & Giveaways

Bring your own device!

For the PowerShell Workshop part of the meeting, the plan is for everyone to actually code. So please bring your laptop with Windows PowerShell or PowerShell Core installed. It would also be ideal if you had the free Microsoft Visual Studio Code installed.

Get more information and register here!

Continue reading “vToolBelt – December 2018”

Hello!  Time has flown and it’s time for another vToolBelt!      I am adding a new feature called Product Watch.  This will call out any VMware Products that are headed into End of General Support within the next 6 months.  The other big topic is the release of vSphere 6.7 Update 1.  Read on for details!

Product Watch

The following products are nearing the End of General Support.  You can find the full list on the VMware Lifecycle Product Matrix.

Continue reading “vToolBelt – October 2018”