VMware: Stopping a Virtual Machine gone haywire

Sometimes a Virtual Machine can't be stopped via the VIClient. The job just hangs. There are a number of options to stop your Virtual Machine from within the Service Console. Keep in mind that these are last resort options!

• Stopping the virtual machine by issuing the command vmware-cmd /vmfs/volumes/<datastorename>/<vmname>/<vmname>.vmx stop. This must be done on the ESX host where the Virtual Machine is running!
• If this does not work, one can issue the following command: vmware-cmd /vmfs/volumes/<datastorename>/<vmname>/<vmname>.vmx stop hard. This will try to kill the Virtual Machine instantly.
• A final solution is to kill the PID (process ID). Issue the following command: ps auxfww | grep <vmname> to locate the correct PID (BTW: this cannot be done via ESXTOP). The first number to appear in the output is your PID. The PID can be used to terminate the process by issuing kill -9 PID.

VMware: New HA features in VC 2.0.2

As you know, HA is triggered on an ESX host after 15 seconds when it cannot contact it's cluster partners and the default gateway. By Default, all virtual machines running on the ESX host are shut down and restarted on the remaining ESX hosts in the cluster (using a Legato AAM agent to do it's job).

The only thing you could do up until now was changing the default gateway (via the das.isolationaddress option/value set). However, for most companies this is not enough. When a general network maintenance is scheduled, you should disable HA to avoid an unnecessary HA trigger.

New in VirtualCenter 2.0.2 are the following option/value pairs:

• das.failuredetectiontime = <value> (default 15 seconds)
• das.isolationaddress2 = <value>

These values can be set under Your Cluster => Edit Settings => VMware HA => Advanced Options.

See also VMware's HA_Tech_Best_Practices.pdf document for more info!

VMware: Installing Windows XP on ESX using LSI Logic driver

I get a lot of questions concerning the deployment of Windows XP on ESX. By default, ESX will use the LSI Logic driver when deploying a new Windows XP virtual machine. The LSI Logic driver is not found on the CD-ROM media, so Windows XP will not continue with the installation if this driver is not found.

The steps:

• Create a new Windows XP Virtual Machine
• Upload a Windows XP .iso file to your datastore/ISOstore (preferably a VLK version) and link it via the CD-ROM options in your Virtual Machine. Make sure it is connected / at power on
• Go to http://www.lsilogic.com/cm/DownloadSearch.do and search for a driver for the LSI20320-R controller.
• Extract all files in the symmpi_wXP_1201800.ZIP
• Use a program such as WinImage to create an LSILogic.flp file and include the extracted files in the .flp image.
• Upload the newly created LSILogic.flp to your datastore/ISO store
• Link the .flp file via the Floppy options => use existing floppy image in datastore in your Virtual Machine. Do NOT connect it yet.
• Power On your Windows XP machine. The installation of Windows XP should begin.
• During setup, press F6 to select additional SCSI drivers
• Now is the time to connect your floppy and use S during Windows Setup when prompted to connect to the floppy drive.

• The LSILogic drive should appear. Press ENTER to continue
• Setup will continue as normal
• Install VMware tools
• Done!

NOTE: when using the BusLogic driver instead, you can download & use a preconfigured .flp file from the VMware site: http://download3.vmware.com/software/vmscsi-1.2.0.4.flp. Follow the same procedure as described above. The driver should be name VMware SCSI Controller in Windows XP.

VMware: how to get more performance counters in VirtualCenter

Ever wondered why you could select gazillion performance counters in real-time, but only 1 or 2 counters when selecting Per Day/Per Week/Per Month/Per Year/Custom? Here is the solution: in the VIClient, go to VirtualCenter Management Configuration and then statistics. By default, the Statistics Collection Level is set to 1 (Basic Metrics).

Ideally, you could set the level to 3 or even 4. After a while, you will notice new performance counters available for selection in the chart options menu! These are great for doing memory sizing/ CPU sizing over a longer period of time. Great huh?

HP: DL580 G5 released - the virtualization monster

HP has released the G5 version of the DL580. This is a lean mean virtualization machine:

• Up to 4 Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processors with up to 8MB (4x2) shared L2 cache (16 cores in total)
• Up to 128GB (with 4GB DIMMs, 32 slots!) of 667MHz DDR2 Fully-buffered DIMMs
• Up to Eleven PCI-Express Slots

This is a great VMware/Viridian/XenSource/... virtualization machine with plenty of room for extra NICs & HBA's. I hope VMware will be able to use this model in their ESXi platform. How hard can it be to stick an extra 32Mb SSD module in this one ;)

Citrix: Presentation Server with Ardence OS Streaming

Wilco van Bragt (sbc.vanbragt.net) has written a nice how-to article on preparing a Citrix Presentation Server (version 4.0 or 4.5) with Ardence streaming.

Some Advantages of OS streaming in combination with terminal servers:

• Flexible provisioning
• Rapid software (OS/Apps) deployment
• Servers are always 100% identical
• Easy implementation of updates and hotfixes to the operating system and applications
• Easy rollback scenarios
• After a restart the system is back in clean state

Citrix MPS/Xensource/Ardence combo anyone ;)

Read the complete article here

VMware: WTS/Citrix on VMware ESX 3

Are you interested in virtualizing your Citrix or Terminal Services environment? If so, check out Rene Vester 's article "A short guide to virtualizing Presentation and Terminal servers on VMware ESX 3" on the Brian Madden website. He goes into great detail on the steps required to successfully install WTS or Citrix in a virtualized environment.

This is a great addition to my previous blogpost "Best practices for deploying Citrix on ESX"

Read the entire article here

WTS: How To Configure Folder Redirection

Patrick Rouse has written a nice little article on the use of folder redirection in a SBC environment.

Folder redirection can limit the amount of data that is copied between the Roaming Profile Share and the Terminal Server at each logon and logoff. This is accomplished by redirecting folders like Desktop, My Documents, and Application Data to a Network Share outside of the Roaming Profile Share, so it is not copied at each logon and logoff.

You can read the complete article on the msterminalservices.org website

Microsoft: W2K8 "Documentation Survival guide"

Microsoft has created a nice link to all info concerning Windows Server 2008 on technet. It's called the Documentation Survival Guide. Jump to it here

Learn

• Windows Server 2008 product information: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90853
• Windows Server 2008 TechCenter: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=86041

Evaluate

• Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=90854
• Windows Server 2008 TechNet Virtual Labs: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90855
• Windows Server 2008 Step-by-Step Guides: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=90856

Troubleshoot

• Windows Server 2008 Troubleshooting: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90857
• TechNet Troubleshooting and Support: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90728

Connect with Community

• Windows Server 2008 Forums: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90920
• Windows Server 2008 Podcasts: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90919
• Windows Server 2008 Chats: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90918

Additional Resources

Security

What can you do to secure your systems? These links to prescriptive security guidance resources, virus alerts, and security bulletins will help you find the security information that you need.

• TechNet Security Center: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=29482
• TechNet Security Virus Alerts: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=26702
• Microsoft Security Bulletin Search: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=24822

Downloads, Help and Support, TechNet Technologies, and Scripting

Need to find the latest product downloads or other technical information? These links will help you keep your systems current and learn about the latest Microsoft technologies.

• Microsoft Download Center: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=63637
• Microsoft Help and Support: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=7588
• TechNet Products and Technologies: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=26708
• Script Center: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=63080

Windows Server 2008 Technical Library

Need to learn more about what’s new for key Windows Server 2008 technologies and where to get additional information? These links to the Windows Server 2008 Technical Library will provide you with introductory and technical overviews and other resources.

•Active Directory Certificate Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=48545
•Active Directory Domain Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48547
•Active Directory Federation Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48542
•Active Directory Rights Management Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48554
•Application Server: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48544
•Availability and Scalability: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90922
•DNS Server: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48548
•File Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48550
•Group Policy: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90923
•Network Policy and Access Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48552
•Performance and Reliability: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90924
•Print Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48553
•Security and Protection: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=90925
•Server Manager: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48541
•Streaming Media Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48551
•Terminal Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=48555
•Web Server: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48558
•Windows Deployment Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48559
•Windows SharePoint Services: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=48560

Citrix: Citrix to acquire XenSource

Holy god, this is breaking news! After rumors on the brianmadden website about Citrix wanting to buy XenSource, there is now an official statement: Citrix has signed a definitive agreement to acquire XenSource.

Citrix’s acquisition of XenSource comes on the heels of a substantial new release of XenEnterprise, the company’s flagship commercial product line. The new XenEnterprise v4 marks a significant milestone. Citrix will thus become one of the major players in the virtualization field (and a direct competitor to VMware & Microsoft).

Read the official announcement on the Citrix website here

Microsoft: Windows Server 2008 Component Posters

I came across some interesting W2K8 posters. These two posters, originally published in the July 2007 issue of TechNet Magazine, provide a strong visual tool to aide in the understanding of various features and components of Windows Server 2008.

One poster focuses exclusively on powerful new Active Directory technologies, while the other provides a technical look at a variety of new features available in Windows Server 2008 (such as Server Core, Network Access Protection, and more).

• Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Components.pdf
• Windows Server 2008 Feature Components.pdf

These should look great on my wall. Make sure to download them here

VMware: ESX 3.0.2 and VCB 1.0.3 released

As promised, VMware's ESX 3.0.2 has been released. In addition, VCB version 1.0.3 has also been released. Keep in mind that VCB 1.0.3 is compatible with VirtualCenter 2.0.2 (released recently) and ESX Server 3.0.2 (or newer) only. There are tons of updates in this release. Check them out here.

Download the ISOs at the source

VizionCore: ESXReplicator 2.1 Beta announced

Vizioncore has announced the Public Beta Release of esxReplicator v2.1, a real-time replication solution for the VMware Vi3. It addresses a number of problems we face in production. esxReplicator 2.1 offers the following new features:

• Fixed Interval Scheduling
• Failover Testing
• VM Display Name configuration
• Free Space Monitoring/Alerting

The beta release can be downloaded from: http://www.vizioncore.com/download.html

VMware: Cisco to provide 3rd party vSwitches for ESX

Info from http://www.virtualization.info/:

VMware will allow 3rd party vendors to develop their virtual switches for ESX Server virtual network, and Cisco is expected to be the first company announcing such product.

This is great news, as the current vSwitches are lacking in features.

Cisco will be presenting at VMworld 2007. BTW, see you guys there!

Microsoft: Vista Performance, Compatibility & reliability packs

Microsoft just released some important updates for people using Vista and suffering from (amongs others) slow file copies.

938979 Vista Performance and Reliability Pack
This update resolves a number of individual issues which may be affecting some computers running Windows Vista. These issues have been reported by customers using the Error Reporting service, product support, or other means. Installing this update will improve the performance and responsiveness for some scenarios and improves reliability of Windows Vista in a variety of scenarios.

938194 Vista Compatibility and Reliability Pack
This update resolves a number of individual issues which may be affecting some computers running Windows Vista. These issues have been reported by customers using the Error Reporting service, product support, or other means. Installing this update will improve the reliability and hardware compatibility of Windows Vista in a variety of scenarios.

938828 XP Explorer.exe Reliability Pack
This is a reliability update. Install this update to improve the stability of computers running Windows XP. This update prevents crashes in explorer.exe.

These packs (actually, they are hotfixes) are downloadable via http://connect.microsoft.com/ or via the source http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=41691

Virtualization: A brief architecture overview of VMware ESX, XEN and MS Viridian

Massimo Re Ferrè has written a nice overview article on hypervisor architecture:

It is my feeling that there has been a bit of confusion lately around how hypervisors are being positioned by the various vendors. I am specifically referring to the three major technologies that seem to be the most relevant strategically going forward:

• VMware ESX
• Microsoft Viridian
• Xen

VMware ESX is the VMware flagship hypervisor product: it's the basis for the Virtual Infrastructure version 3 framework.

MS Viridian is the next generation hypervisor that Microsoft is going to use in the Longhorn time frame and that is currently being developed. It's basically the successor of Microsoft Virtual Server.

Xen is an opensource hypervisor that is being integrated by a number of players which include RedHat, Suse, XenSource and Virtual Iron.

Read the article here

VMware: VirtualCenter out of sync

I entered the office and fired up my trusty VIClient to connect to our design environment, just to discover all machines were shutdown. Suddenly the phone started ringing. All production VMs were shutdown as well? What happened?

It turned out to be a massive (physical) switch failure: during the weekend, all switches were failing in cascade due to some switch intervention (oeps). Result: all NICs in all ESX hosts lost their connection. So, every ESX host had noticed it couldn't ping it's default gateway and started shutting down ("releasing") all VMs (the default HA behavior). But...there were no other ESX hosts to pick up the host failure :)

After booting the VMs, we noticed something strange: VirtualCenter was completely out of sync with what was running on the ESX hosts themselves and we couldn't VMotion/Edit Settings/.. our VMs. Some VMs appeared to be running on a host when they were not! Really strange, strange stuff.

To get your VirtualCenter back in sync (and if rebooting the VC Service doesn't help), you must restart the vpxa (VirtualCenter) agent on every ESX host by issuing the following command:

/etc/rc.d/init.d/vmware-vpxa restart

VMware: The dreadful sticky snapshot

When working with VMware ESX’s snapshot technology and/or VCB for a while, you will notice that sometimes a snapshot doesn’t get committed correctly. This occurs when for instance an ESX host crashes or hangs during a VCB snapshot.

The problem here is that a redo file (or delta, snapshot file) is created, but never removed. When looking at the snapshot manager, no snapshots appear to be available. Snapshots are devastating for your datastore performance, so we must remove them as quickly as possible! In the worst case, the redo file and the vmware-x.log files will eat up all the remaining disk space on the infected datastore and a message will be displayed (AAAaaaaaaaaaahh):

You will notice a number of <originaldiskname>-00000X.vmdk and <originaldiskname>-00000X-delta.vmdk files appear when browsing the datastore. When you look at your Virtual Machine disk properties (via Edit Settings) you will notice that your disk name will have changed from <originaldisk.vmdk> to <originaldisk>-00000X.vmdk, meaning a snapshot version is being used.

You can use 2 tricks to recover from this scenario:

• Execute vmware-cmd /vmfs/volumes/<datastorename>/<vmname>/<vmname>.vmx removesnapshots on the Service Console. However, most of the time this will not work and you will have to revert to the method below.
• Manually create a snapshot in the VI Client and remove it after it has been created. This will remove ALL existing snapshots and revert back to your <originaldisk>.vmdk. Great huh?

VMware: VMTSPatchmanager for patching

Massimiliano Daneri of vmts.net (well known for his backup scripts) has created a useful tool for patching your ESX: VMTSPatchmanager.

Features:

• Automatic Patch downloading from VMware Web site
  Virtual Center Integration
• Support for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (Microsoft BITS)
• Password saved inside the Microsoft Protected Storage
• SSH Connection (with root or other users)
• Implement a tiny Web server to deliver the patch
• Multi Thread implementation
• Configuration Wizard

Download it here

Microsoft: Terminal Services Session Broker

Michel Roth over at thincomputing.net has written a nice (p)review on the new load balancing options for terminal servers in Server 2008. Read his article here