Changes in VMware Tools Bundling for vSphere 6.5 Update 1

byArron King 07.29.2017 vSphere

One of the changes with vSphere 6.5 Update 1 is how VMware Tools are bundled.  This will primarily affect those who have older Windows systems, or are running operating systems outside of Windows or Linux.

Quick Review

Each build of ESXi contains ISO images for the current VMware tools installer for guest operating systems that run on top of it.    When an administrator tells the vSphere Client to update VMware Tools, the hypervisor mounts the appropriate ISO image from the ESXi filesystem to the virtual machine and presents it as a CD-Rom.  The guest OS can then be updated.

When you upgrade an ESXi host to a newer version or apply patches, those ISO images will be updated with the newest version of VMware Tools.

What Changes in 6.5 Update 1

vSphere 6.5 Update 1 only contains a subset of the VMware Tools ISO images for the supported guest operating systems.  These appear to support the latest variants in the Windows and Linux worlds.   Continue reading “Changes in VMware Tools Bundling for vSphere 6.5 Update 1”

VMware Updates – vSphere 6.5 Update 1 is now GA

byArron King 07.28.2017 vSphere

A number of VMware updates were released last night.  This includes the highly anticipated Update 1 for vSphere 6.5.  This will allow upgrades from vSphere 6.0 Update 3.

Lets get right to the details…

vSphere 6.5 Update 1

This is the much awaited release that will allow anyone running vSphere 6.0 Update 3 to get onto vSphere 6.5.  Some of the other new additions include:

  • The ability to use vSphere Update Manager to enable vSAN upgrades
  • Driver updates to a number of I/O devices

For the full list, read the release notes.

Continue reading “VMware Updates – vSphere 6.5 Update 1 is now GA”

vToolbelt – June/July 2017

byArron King 07.05.2017 vToolBelt

I don’t know about you; but my summer is flying by.  I blinked and missed June.  So this month, we’ll combine June & July.    I know you are as busy as I am, so  let’s get to it…

Upcoming Events

Central Ohio VMUG (July 11) – Note:  This event was moved up to avoid a date conflict with the Indy UserCON.  vRealize Operations presentation followed by optional movie.  Register Here.

Indianapolis VMUG UserCON (July 18) – For those able to travel, this UserCON in Indianapolis is pretty huge…   Visit the VMUG.COM site to view the agenda and register.

VMworld 2017

Registration for VMworld 2017 in the US is open now.       You can view pricing on the VMworld.com Registration Packages Page.

I have a feeling the Schedule Builder will be out soon.   Be sure to schedule your sessions as soon as possible to avoid getting shut out! Continue reading “vToolbelt – June/July 2017”

vToolBelt – May 2017

byArron King 05.15.2017 vToolBelt

Upcoming Events

Central Ohio VMUG UserCON (May 23) – Created by VMware users for VMware users.  Plan to be at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus on May 23 for one of the largest VMware events in the Midwest.  Visit the VMUG.COM site to view the agenda & register.

Ohio SLED VMUG (June 13) – Save the date!  Planning is underway for the next SLED VMUG.  As soon as the agenda is finalized and the registration open we will get the information to you.

VMworld 2017

Registration for VMworld 2017 in the US is open now.   Early Bird pricing is in  effect now through June 12.  This provides discounted conference prices through June 12.    You can view pricing on the VMworld.com Registration Packages Page.

Continue reading “vToolBelt – May 2017”

vToolBelt – April 2017

byArron King 04.04.2017 vToolBelt

Lots of information to relay this month.  Let’s jump right in…

Breaking News

vCloud Air to be acquired by the OVH Group – VMware has recently announced that the vCloud Air business will be acquired by the OVH Group.  VMware will still continue to sell vCloud Air as an offering.

Windows Receive Side Scaling (RSS) issues for virtual machines running specific versions of VMware Tools – When using the VMXNET3 network adapter. RSS is disabled by default.  However if enabled on a Windows 2012 / R2 virtual machine with the certain versions of VMware Tools (9.10 – 10.1.5) there may be problems with dropped packets.  You can read more about this here.

VMware discontinues the 3rd party vSwitch program – VMware has announced that after vSphere 6.5 Update 1, the APIs which enable 3rd party vSwitch software to work will be discontinued.   A few examples of such software are:  Cisco Nexus 1000v, HPE 5900v and IBM DVS 5000v.  VMware recommends migrating from these switches to the vSphere Distributed Switch.  VMware is offering a free migration tool to assist.

vSphere Data Protection (VDP) will no longer be available after vSphere 6.5 – VMware has announced the End of Availability (EOA) for vSphere Data protection, and intends to focus on VMware vSphere Storage APIs.    If you currently use this product and have active SnS – it will be supported until the listed End of General Support Date. Continue reading “vToolBelt – April 2017”

Supported Windows 10 Builds for Horizon View

byArron King 03.20.2017 Horizon View Windows 10

VMware has documented the various Windows 10 Builds supported in Horizon View. Horizon ViewUnlike previous versions of Windows, Win10 has a continuous release cycle and the build numbers change often.  This can make life challenging for the Horizon View administrator.

I found the following two KB articles in the release notes for Horizon View 7.1. (see – it is good to read release notes every now and then!)

Supported versions of Windows 10 on Horizon View (KB 2149393)

Upgrade requirements for Windows 10 Operating Systems (KB 2148176)

 

Windows 10

vToolBelt – March 2017

byArron King 03.18.2017 vToolBelt

It has been a busy month in the VMware world so far!  Major updates to vSphere, and lots of news coming your way.  March 2017 Virtualization news for your vToolBelt

Staying up-to-date
How do you keep your skills current in our fast paced industry?  Have you ever tried listening to a Podcast?   I’ve used them for a while to stay current on a variety of topics (virtualization, networking, scripting, and even non-technical).  They have been very useful for me, and  I thought I would share my playlist for anyone interested.

Security Updates
A recent Apache Struts 2 vulnerability has required updates to a number of VMware products (vCenter, vROps, etc) – Read more here.

Workstation and Fusion both have patches for critical out-of-bounds memory issues (exploited by copy-paste and drag-and-drop functionality)

End-User Computing
Horizon 7.1 was released yesterday!  The highlights:

  • Instant clones can now proving RDSH servers, using NVIDIA GRID vGPUs, and span multiple VLANs
  • Windows 2016 is now supported for the View Components
  • RDSH Apps – customize icons, unauthenticated access to apps from WIndows/Linux clients

Continue reading “vToolBelt – March 2017”

vToolbelt – February 2017

byArron King 02.17.2017 vToolBelt

What's in your virtual tool belt?

February has been quite a busy month with VMware Virtualization news!  Grab a cup of  coffee and dig in!

Networking

NSX 6.3 is out!  This includes support for vSphere 6.5 (specifically 6.5a).  Some key new features include the Application Rule Manager, Endpoint Monitoring, Multi-Datacenter Security Tagging, and the beginnings of multi-hypervisor support with NSX-T. Read more here.

NSX Support Insider – Get trending NSX Support issues right in your RSS Feed Reader  – http://feeds.feedburner.com/NSX

VMware has released a free e-book called NSX Micro-segmentation Day 1.  This is a “concise book that provides the necessary information to guide organizations interested in bolstering their security posture through the implementation of micro-segmentation”.

One of Ohio’s own NSX experts (Ron Fuller – NSX SE) has co-authored a book called VMware NSX for vSphere Essentials. This book is available for Pre-Order.

The University of New Hampshire improves security and compliance by adopting a zero-trust security model and implementing NSX (Whitepaper | Video).

Continue reading “vToolbelt – February 2017”

vToolbelt – January 2017

byArron King 01.15.2017 vToolBelt

New additions for your Virtual Toolbelt

Welcome to the first edition of Virtual Toolbelt!   I do a lot of reading as part of my attempt to keep up with Technology.    I have been including the most interesting links in a customer newsletter. Perhaps a few of you will find it useful as well…

Management

A new fling from VMware Labs, the vRealize Operations E-mail Template Manager makes it easier to manage custom e-mail templates. This video shows how vRealize Network Insight can increase the visibility into what is going on in your virtual networks.

Virtual Desktops

Thinking of trying out Horizon 7 but not sure where to start?  TheReviewers Guide for Horizon 7 will walk you through all of the components and help you get a system up and running. App Volumes can make managing the applications in your environment much easier.  This deployment guide can help you plan your installation.

Continue reading “vToolbelt – January 2017”

Making Your Case for VMworld

byArron King 09.05.2016 Professional Development VMworld

VMworld 2016VMworld 2016 was last week.  It was my first time attending.  I worked in a VMware booth in the Solutions Exchange.  I had never been able to go when I was on the customer side.  That fact was not lost on me during the week.  As I flew home, I wrote down some thoughts about the week.  It was a new experience for me.  There was a fair amount of hard work, a good bit of fun; but most importantly I was able to observe interactions and discussions between people. That was by far the most interesting and important part.

Connecting the Dots

About mid way through the week, I was able to meet up with one of my customers that had attended.  I am relatively new to the account so I had not had a lot of face time with them yet.  It was good to get a chance to talk with them outside of their workplace.  During our conversation, it came out that they had recently begun looking to leverage vSAN as a way to increase their High Availability potential.

Utilizing a stretched vSAN cluster, they could extend their High Availability capabilities outside of a single building.  Their manager was not quite yet sold on the idea.  He was hoping to validate this use case for the technology and was wary of being the first to try something new.  I introduced them to a vSAN subject matter expert who was also at VMworld.   As I watched the conversation, the SME started to draw a diagram on a whiteboard, Continue reading “Making Your Case for VMworld”