Sun's VirtualBox 2.1
Sun released VirtualBox 2.1 the 17th of Dec. supporting x64 VM's on a x32 host. VirtualBox 2.1 now supports both Microsofts .VMDK and VMware .VHD virtual formats. This has to be one of the greatest features any virtual platform has developed in the last year (or longer).
Recently my Vista x64 host machine crashed. Long story short my motherboard took a dive. I used this machine to run my VMware virtual machines, mostly for testing purposes and all of which were x64 platforms that existed on an external device. Roughly 15 VM's in all. Once my Vista x64 system went down I had no other spare or available 64-bit capable host system to run my VM's. Suns VirtualBox (2.1) solved this issue as I was then able to connect my external device to my Vista 32-bit system. Which obviously is in fact capable of running a 64-bit platform. Suns virtualization technology is sure to make a lot of noise in the near future. Oh and by the way, its free. Thank you VirtualBox.
Learn more... Friday, December 19, 2008
Server Core 2008 R2
Server Core 2008 R2 (Win 7) build update
Features Added (optional):
Windows Powershell
Subset of .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 – WCF, WF, and LINQ
ASP.NET and additional IIS support – the only IIS feature not available in Server Core is the management GUI
FSRM - File Server Resource Manager
There is some better information in regards to .NET 2.0 specifics from the following bloghttp://blogs.technet.com/server_core/default.aspx
Note: Win Server 2008 R2 includes Hyper-V 2.0
Hyper-V 2.0 ( released in R2 build)
Live migrations - Move running VM's from on host to anothe without the interruption of any services
Logical Processor Support - Support for 32 logical processors on host computer
Hot add/remove storage
Dynamic memory
Virtualized I/O
Improved Networking
Learn more... Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Portlock Windows Update Manager
Another tool has been released from Portlock, called "Portlock Windows Update Manager". This allows the ability to download Windows Updates without IE or any browser for that matter, while giving you the ability to download and install at a later date if desired.
Also allows you to configure your update settings to enable/disable auto updates, export detailed XML files on update history and view installed and un-installed updates.
I find myself using this tool rather then IE for most of my systems, especially server core platforms. No worrying about security risks with IE. If your running a server core system then you have no user interface, which means you are running a check for updates from the command line. This command is not difficult, but does not provide any detailed information regarding my past updates, current updates, etc.
Example scripts (server core command line):
Enable automatic updates - "cscript c:\windows\system32\scregedit.wsf /AU 4"
Disable automatic updates - "cscript c:\windows\system32\scregedit.wsf /AU 1"
These are obviously not terribly long scripts, but why bother memorizing them. Or take the time to track them down. I just picked two quick examples, there are some highly more complex scripts involved with server core systems then the ones provided, and for the most part, all of which are taken care of by Portlock Windows Update Manager. This tool can be found from the link above or from Portlock SMART Suite for Windows.
Learn more... Monday, December 15, 2008
Virtualization Case Studies
Hyper-V
Here is a virtualization Case Study from Indiana University on cost savings using Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V. The IT department has reduced its physical servers from 150 to just 32, with a hardware cost savings of nearly $85,000/yr.
ESX
From VMware here is a virtualization Case Study from the University of Plymouth on running ESX 3.5. The IT deparment has reduced its server racks from 32 down to 2-a, with estimated cost savings around $90,000.
These are great demonstrations on the power of virtual machine deployment and services as well as the cost savings possibilities for a larger IT infrastructure from two virtualization power houses.
For those of you that are considering moving to a virtual environments there is no doubt there is a lot of options to weigh between the two virtual platforms. Depending on your needs it still appears VMware has the edge on Microsoft for many of its virtual utility features, however, there are some great features from Hyper-V that may persuade users to choose otherwise. An ongoing battle that will be and has been interesting to monitor.
Here is a great IT comparison between the two products.
Hyper-V vs VMware ESX
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Donate Your Old Hardware
In helping customers with hardware related tasks I am often asked if I am aware of any companies or locations that except older computer hardware as donations. Below is a link for viewable listings in your area.
http://www.electronicsrecycling.org/public/
If you will be providing the OS with your hardware be sure to rid your system of any personal files and provide all original installation and licensing information if possible.
Remember tax season is friendly on donations;)
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Microsoft E Learning Course: Hyper-V
Introducing Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008
Clinic 5935
Microsofts E-Learning site has added training courses for Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008.
https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/courseContent.aspx?courseId=95556
Or typ 5935 at the E-Learning home page.
Topics Covered:
Features of Hyper-V
Features of server consolidation
Hyper-V implementation
Creation of virtual machines
Dynamic datacenters
Clustering in virtual environments
Learn more... Thursday, December 11, 2008
Windows Server 2008 Core
Configure display resolution
Clock and time zone configuration
Remote desktop configuration
Firewall Configuration
Windows Updates – No IE necessary
Configure IP address, gateway, subnet mask, DNS
Copy Files/Directories
Map a drive
Perform Windows Repair
Web Browser
Email Client
Screen saver configuration
Enable/Disable drivers and services
Manually load/install drivers
Windows Registry Editor
Command prompt
Configure dual boot systems
Configure bootable USB devices
Configure Language
No installation necessary
Boot bare-metal systems
Configure permission and security settings
Learn more... Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Netware 6.5 P2V
Netware P2V - Novell TID
This document provides not only a great "How To" but technical information regarding Netware 4.x, 5.x and 6.x. This includes driver details for both your NIC and storage devices as well.
With a variety of VMware versions now being distributed, choose the one that best suites your company needs. VMware provides free virtual platforms, however, these will obviously come with limiations in comparison to ESX, etc. I personally test on workstation and ESXi which are free from VMware but have never been impressed with performance. So I can attest to all versions of VMware being capable of supporting Netware 5.x and above.
Portlock Storage Manager also has the capability of migrating Netware systems to Microsoft virtual server and virtual PC. However, you will find that Microsoft does not in fact support Netware for any issues that you might have.
Netware 6.5 SP7 P2V Video with PSM
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Physical and Virtual System Management
This blog is dedicated to educating each other on technical solutions for both physical and virtual environments. Learn about your about your physical and virtual options as well best practices for your solution.
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