VMware to Hyper-V Converter Tool (Isvet Laclaustra)

From VMware to Hyper V… Test the converter tool and enjoy the results as you will be able to load your VMs to Hyper V in with a simple wizard and Command Line Interface!

Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC) is a standalone solution for converting VMware virtual machines (VMs) and VMware virtual disks (VMDKs) to Hyper-V VMs and Hyper-V virtual hard disks (VHDs).
Currently supports converting virtual machines created with:

VMware vSphere 4.1 & VMware vSphere 5.0

Participate @ http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=247805

Enjoy,

Isvet – MVP

What’s in DPM 2010 for Hyper-V R2 (Isvet Laclaustra)

DATA PROTECTION MANAGER V3 (2010) – Microsoft

What’s in DPM 2010 for Hyper-V R2

New features in DPM 2010, specific to virtualization, include:

• Support for Live Migration scenarios using cluster-shared volumes (CSV).

• Restore VMs to alternate Hyper-V hosts.

• Individual file-item restore from host-based backups, so you can protect the entire virtual machine from the host (no guest agent required), but selectively restore individual files from inside the VHDs.

• How DPM protects Virtual Machines

  DPM protects virtual machines based on the how the Hyper-V VSS* writer reports the capabilities of the VM:

  If the VM is VSS capable, meaning that the guest is running Windows Server 2003 or better, as well as VSS-capable applications like SQL Server – then the VM can typically be backed up while the VM is online (without interruption).

  · If the VM or one of its internal workloads is not VSS capable, then the VM will be momentarily hibernated so that it can be backed up and then resumed.

  In either case, DPM utilizes the Hyper-V VSS writer to synchronize block-level differences within the VHDs using a process called an “Express Full”, which identifies which blocks have changed in the entire VHD and then sends just the updated blocks or fragments. This provides a complete and consistent image of the virtual hard disk files on the DPM server or appliance. DPM maintains up to 512 shadow copies of the full VHD set by storing only the block-level differences between any two images.

www.microsoft.com/DPM/virtuallization

Add it up to you System Center Solutions…

Isvet – MVP

System Center Virtual Machine Manager–SP1–Why and the POWER Behind IT (Isvet Laclaustra)

SCVMM SP1 – INSTALL IT!

The latest version of System Center Virtual Machine Manager incorporates all the functionality of its predecessor and brings exciting new capabilities to the management of virtual machines.

1.    Support for Dynamic Memory Within Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
With this release, VMM supports Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Hyper-V and Dynamic Memory. Dynamic Memory enables customers to better utilize the memory resources of Hyper-V hosts by balancing how memory is distributed between running virtual machines. Using Dynamic Memory for supported VMs allows for more efficient utilization of memory, with consistent performance, and higher consolidation ratios.
2.    Enable a rich, local-like desktop environment over the network with RemoteFX
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 introduces a new set of end user experience enhancements with Microsoft RemoteFX. This release of VMM allows for creation and deployment of Virtual Machines on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Hyper-V hosts that have RemoteFX support enabled giving users a rich, local-like desktop environment over the network. With RemoteFX, end users can also use a broad range of USB peripherals in combination with a virtual desktop.
3.    Designed for virtual machines running on Windows Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Hyper-V Server
Hyper-V is the next-generation hypervisor-based virtualization platform from Microsoft, which is designed to offer high performance, enhanced security, high availability, scalability, and many other improvements. VMM is designed to take full advantage of these foundational benefits through a powerful yet easy-to-use console that streamlines many of the tasks necessary to manage virtualized infrastructure. Even better, administrators can manage their traditional physical servers right alongside their virtual resources through one unified console.
4.    Live Migration allows your datacenter to be dynamic
Live Migration enables you to move virtual machines between Hyper-V hosts with no downtime and reduces the planned downtime associated with routine system maintenance. When Live Migration is coupled with VMM’s Performance Resource Optimization (PRO) feature, you can create a dynamic IT environment, automatically reallocating virtual machine workloads based on resource utilization and available capacity. In addition, VMM 2008 R2 supports queuing live migrations; this improvement allows you to now define multiple live migrations and run them one after another in sequence without waiting for the current live migration to complete.
5.    Hot-add and removal of storage
Hot-add and removal of storage reduces planned downtime associated with adding disk storage to your virtual infrastructure to accommodate increased storage requirements. The new Hot-Add and Removal of Storage feature in VMM 2008 R2 allows an administrator to dynamically add and remove VHDs from a running virtual machine with no interruption of service.
6.    Support for Clustered Shared Volumes and third-party CFS
Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV) is a new feature in Windows Server 2008 R2 that provides support for live migration. CSV enhances the virtual infrastructure by allowing multiple Hyper-V hosts to access multiple VMs on a single LUN simultaneously. CSV support also enhances Live Migration by allowing individual virtual machines to be moved to different hosts without affecting the other VMs running on that host. With CSV, there is no need to move the virtual machine’s virtual hard disk files to another LUN. In addition, unlike the earlier storage model that required one VM per LUN, the new CSV storage permits multiple virtual machine files to be stored on the same LUN, making storage management much easier. VMM 2008 R2 can also detect and support third-party Clustered File Systems such as Sanbolic.
7.    Machine conversions are a snap!
Converting a physical machine to a virtual one can be a daunting undertaking—slow, problematic, and typically requiring you to halt the physical server. But thanks to the enhanced P2V conversion in VMM, P2V conversions will become routine. Similarly, VMM also provides a straightforward wizard that can convert VMware virtual machines to VHDs through an easy and speedy Virtual-to-Virtual (V2V) transfer process.
8.    Performance and Resource Optimization (PRO)
Performance and Resource Optimization (PRO) enables the dynamic management of virtual resources though Management Packs that are PRO enabled. Utilizing the deep monitoring capabilities of System Center Operations Manager 2007, PRO enables administrators to establish remedial actions for VMM to execute if poor performance or pending hardware failures are identified in hardware, operating systems, or applications. As an open and extensible platform, PRO encourages partners to design custom management packs that promote compatibility of their products and solutions with PRO’s powerful management capabilities.
9.    Quick storage migration
Quick storage migration enables an administrator to move a virtual machine’s storage to a different LUN or even to a different host while the VM is running, both with a minimum of downtime. Typically, the amount of downtime required for quick storage migration is less than 2 minutes, though the actual amount of downtime depends on the virtual machine’s activity level during the move. In addition, VMM 2008 R2 can now take advantage of VMware’s Storage VMotionTM feature for moving VMware virtual machines to different storage locations with no downtime. Quick storage migration is especially useful for customers taking advantage of the new CSV feature in Windows Server 2008 R2.
10.    Windows PowerShell provides rich management and scripting environment
The entire VMM application is built on the command line and scripting environment, Windows PowerShell. This version of VMM adds additional PowerShell commandlets and “view script” controls, which allow administrators to exploit customizing or automating operations at an unprecedented level.

On IT…

Isvet – Laclaustra

Enable iSCSI thru THE FIREWALL–Windows 2008 R2

Allowing the use of an Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS) server through the firewall is possible directly from the iSCSICLI command-line utility. However, you can still control it through the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, if desired.

To enable iSNS traffic for use with Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Use the following command to enable iSNS traffic through the firewall. This allows you to use an iSNS server with the local Microsoft iSCSI Initiator:

iscsicli FirewallExemptiSNSServer

Check it out!

Isvet – MVP

iSCSI Step-by-Step Guide for Windows® 7 or Windows Server® 2008 R2

Windows® 7 and /or Windows Server® 2008 R2 leverage iSCSI-based storage array through an Ethernet network adapter. Via the iSCSI Initiator you can access (SANs) with out the need of additional hardware. iSCSI is ideal for use by enterprise applications such as Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft SQL Server® among others.

· Leverage existing investments in Ethernet infrastructures and expertise

· Leverage existing investments in IP protocol

· Offer dynamic capacity expansion

· Simplify SAN configuration and management

· Centralize management through storage consolidation

· Provide scalable performance

· Provide higher storage utilization

· Provides access to storage volumes as block storage devices.

To MASTER the iSCSI protocol and the devices made available by it you can review the Step-by-Step Guide just released by Microsoft:

· Understanding Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Features and Components · Installing and Configuring Microsoft iSCSI Initiator · Using Microsoft iSCSI Initiator in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7

Download the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Step By Step: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?FamilyID=00d7c33c-93cc-4449-8d5e-3fd12d820b56&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MicrosoftDownloadCenter+%28Microsoft+Download+Center%29

Have fun!

Isvet Laclaustra – MVP

Tips PRO en Systems Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 (Isvet Laclaustra)

PPT is available @:

http://cid-8bebe03ce418570a.office.live.com/view.aspx/SCVMM2008R2/Isvet%5E_Laclaustra%5E_PRO%5E_TIPS%5E_SCVMM%5E_v2.pptx 

Tips PRO en Systems Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2. Entenderá cómo el poder reaccionar a una infraestructura de servidor de cambio es importante para lograr una racionalización o dinámica infraestructura de TI. Esto se convierte en una necesidad con la virtualización y la naturaleza dinámica de las cargas de trabajo, que comparten una infraestructura. Con Microsoft System Center Server Management Suite Datacenter, se logrará con nuestro nuestro rendimiento y optimización de recursos Tips (PRO) entender y reaccionar a la naturaleza dinámica de las cargas de trabajo. En este Webcast, veremos en detalle la arquitectura de Tips (PRO), algunos consejos que explican la configuración, instalación y el contenido de un PRO Tips, que pueda reequilibrar la carga de trabajo de una infraestructura virtualizada y permita a los clientes lograr ahorros en un entorno más dinámico.

Detalles del Evento:

Cuando: viernes, 29 de abril de 2011 11:00 a.m.
Hora: (GMT-04:00) Puerto Rico
Duración:60 Minutos

Link registro:

https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032483901&EventCategory=4&culture=es-AR&CountryCode=AR

What’s New in Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 SP1

http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/en/us/virtual-machine-manager/vmm-whats-new-r2.aspx

Download Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 SP1

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc793138.aspx

Community References

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/virtualmachinemanager

http://laclaustra.workpress.com

http://itcspr.org

Isvet – MVP

PSHELL > Faster, Capable, Simple PowerShell (Isvet Laclaustra)

PowerShell V2.0 certainly keeps the “SUPER” in the Super Easy in Windows Server 2008 R2 Core installations. Yes anyone who need to have a fast server for a specific Role or Feature in both virtualized & physical environments can SURELY appreciate the  2008 R2 Core. By removing almost all the GUI from the OS you can improve security and speed up the system. Any who uses OPEN SOURCE Distributions, really appreciated the SHELL speed, so in Windows the PShell has provided the same love for IT Managers / System Managers who want fast servers always keeping the resource consumption LEAN and 2008 R2 CORE installations surely deliver that.

Yet all the lovers of the GUI in Windows can still perform “at speed” on CORE installations by using the UPDATED version of CoreConfigurator 2.0 which has been updated for the Windows Server 2008 R2 editions. SIMPLE AND FAST the CoreConfigurator 2.0 delivers the love for the IT Admin who desires the GUI for:

Adding Roles, Features and configuring the BASICS of a Server at the RACK, either Virtualized or Physical.

Take a look:

http://coreconfig.codeplex.com/

IF you want to support CORE configurations for Windows Server 2008 x86 use the core CoreConfigurator 1.1…

http://coreconfig.codeplex.com/releases/view/18912

Related post:

https://laclaustra.wordpress.com/category/coreconfigurator/

CoreConfigurator – Windows 2008 Server Core Installations (Isvet Laclaustra)

If you need to speedup the CORE CONFIGURATION PROCESS and if you would like to use some scripting to do so, check out the CoreConfigurator tool.

Core Configurator 1.1 (Updated Dec 1,2009 –Original  Released in Oct, 2008)

Release Notes:

=====================================
Core Configurator 1.1 (Windows Server 2008 R1)
=====================================
”We have implemented some bug fixes and additions in the code base

• Add/ Remove DNS Servers
• Server Hardening Menu
• (IPV4 & IPV6 Settings)
• (NTFS Settings)

This tool will help anyone wanting to setup all flavour of Windows Server Core (Hyper-V Server and Server Core).
Thank-you to everyone involved in the testing and feedback stages (THANK-YOU from both of us)
We have a CAB file and Readme if you wanted to run on the Windows Server
OR
We have the ISO image if you wanted to run within a VM Session”

Core Configurator Team @ CodePlex

Download @:

http://coreconfig.codeplex.com/releases/view/18912