Recently, VMware released vCenter 2.5 U4. What’s new in this latest update?

• Storage VMotion Creates Temporary delta.vmdk Files Only for the Virtual Disks That Are Migrated
• VirtualCenter now supports customization of Windows Server 2008 guest operating systems.
• VirtualCenter 2.5 Update 4 now offers a Performance Overview plug-in. It provides a single view of key performance metrics for CPU, memory, disk, and network without having to navigate through multiple charts.

Rick Scherer from VMware Tips.com has a great article on how to install it at- Installing the Performance Overview Plug-In in VirtualCenter 2.5 Update 4

For all the information on the new latest release, see the VMware vCenter 2.5 U4 Release Notes.

Make sure that you read the “Before you Begin” and the Resolved Issues!

Cisco Nexus 1000V Video Datasheet

Cisco Nexus 1000V Demonstration

That’s right, I have been chosen as one of the 300 vExperts in the world! This is a HUGE honor for me!

I so appreciate all the people who nominated me and I so appreciate all the time and effort that John Troyer at VMware put into getting this program up and running. There are so many wonderful contributors to the VMware-world and I am fortunate to be considered worthy of this award.

I believe it was all my articles at VirtualizationAdmin.com, SearchVMware.com as well as my Train Signal VMware ESX Video Training series that helped me achieve this award. Plus, the speaking I did at virtualization conferences and the judging at VMworld were bound to have helped.

Now, I need to get to work in 2009 to try to earn this honor again in 2010! I will continue my VMware-related writing, Blogging, and will be working for many months to create a whole new video training product on VMware ESX 4 / vSphere (or whatever the product will be exactly).
Thank you, Thank you very much

-David Davis, VCP & vExpert

Want to know what what happeneed at VMworld Europe 2009? Here are the top 5 places to go to find out…

1. SearchServerVirtualization.com - VMworld Europe 2009 full conference coverage
2. Brian Madden TV - VMworld Europe 2009 conference wrapup
3. VMwareUnderground - VMware Europe 2009 conference coverage
4. Microsoft’s VMworld 2009 article - Yes, Microsoft was there and has a lot to say about it
5. And of course, VMware’s official VMworld Europe 2009 conference website

UniPrint to Demonstrate VDI Edition at VMworld Europe 2009 in Cannes, France, February 24-26 (Booth 116)

Toronto, Ontario and Cannes, France, February 23, 2009 - UniPrint, the innovative leader in printing virtualization today announces that in response to fast-growing demand for printing solutions for virtualized environments in the EU countries, it will introduce UniPrint VDI Edition at VMworld Europe 2009 (Booth 116) in Cannes, France.

Developed for customers deploying Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) using VMware View, the recently released, software-based UniPrint VDI Edition makes printing easy and seamless for the entire workforce from any user device, or printing equipment, across client platforms and geographic locations.  UniPrint VDI Edition helps organizations across the globe save time, increase productivity and simplify printer management.

“UniPrint extends the simplicity and power of VDI to printing,” said Arron Fu, UniPrint’s Vice President, Software Development.  “We are proud to set a new benchmark for virtualized printing, enabling easy access across the network, and delivering fast and reliable printing, with up to 90 per cent bandwidth saving over traditional networked printing.  With the help of UniPrint, businesses deploying VDI to consolidate their system and minimize network administration can also count on more efficient printing and less printer management hassles.  This translates to increased productivity and reduced cost.”

UniPrint VDI Edition is compatible with all major virtualization solutions, and is optimized for VMware View (which includes VMware VDI).  It enables simple, fast, and secure printing for local and remote users, irrespective of operating system or client device.  Built around a Portable Document Format (PDF)-based universal printer driver, UniPrint VDI Edition simplifies printer management by removing the need for multiple manufacturer printer drivers, instantly eliminating printer driver incompatibility and management issues.

UniPrint VDI Edition compresses print document files by over 90 percent by converting them into PDF.  This prevents large print formats, — such as PCL and PostScript — sent across low-bandwidth connections from slowing down the print process or even halting application access.  Not only does this significantly reduce bandwidth consumption, but it also makes it simple for users to benefit from enhanced printing functionality, such as the ability to archive, preview or e-mail printed files in PDF.

 ”VMware View delivers rich, personalized virtual desktops to almost any device with all the benefits of centralized management, giving customers greater flexibility, reliability, and efficiency,” said Jerry Chen, senior director of desktop virtualization, VMware.  “We’re excited to see the release of UniPrint VDI Edition, because it helps make our customers’ VDI deployment even simpler to manage.”

UniPrint will demonstrate its VDI Edition at VMworld Europe 2009 in Cannes, France from February 24-26 (Booth 116).  For additional information on the complete suite of UniPrint products, or to schedule an onsite meeting with a UniPrint representative, please visit the booth, or contact Helen Renna at (416) 503-0199 or e-mail helen.renna@uniprint.net.

To take advantage of a free 30-day trial download of UniPrint VDI Edition, please visit UniPrint web site.  UniPrint VDI Edition can be purchased through UniPrint’s global reseller network.  Please visit www.uniprint.net/HowToBuy.asp for more details.

About UniPrint
UniPrint, a division of GFI Business Solutions Inc., is a recognized leader in the development of software-based printing solutions.  The award-winning UniPrint suite of products offers a comprehensive range of printing solutions for both centralized and diversified network architectures, and for all systems, client platforms and devices.  UniPrint replaces all manufacturers’ printer drivers with a single PDF generator to promote faster, more efficient printing that enables organizations to improve both productivity and return on existing IT investments.  For additional information on UniPrint, please visit www.uniprint.net. 

As VMworld Europe 2009 gets started, there are a number of ways to stay up to date on the latest news from the conference (assuming you aren’t there, like me). Fortunately, with help from bloggers and VMware, it won’t be too hard to feel “in the loop”. Here are resources that you should checkout:

• VMworld Europe Networing Site: offers video, photos, lnks, and twitter information
• Twitter - make sure to follow #vmworld on twitter and other bloggers that will be at the show. In fact, you can easily use Twitter Search to stay up to date on any vmworld posts with this vmworld query. If you look on that same page, you can even get a RSS feed of vmworld twitter posts!
• VMware’s v12n Blog Aggregator - there will be a ton of new blog posts and news so make sure you have subscribed to v12n in your RSS reader
• And finally, make sure you subscribe to the RSS for this blog and my other blog - VMwareVideos.com

Stay tuned for big announcements from the show! I am on the lookout for news about VMware’s vSphere, VMware Backup and Recovery, and vExpert so make sure you are up to date!

vmktree is a free web tool that shows you the graphs of resource usage of VMware ESX Server. The version for ESX3.x is still in beta and is available for download at the VMKTree website.

Here are some graphics from the program in action:

I wrote an article about ConfigCheck some time ago (see Assessing VMware ESX server security with TripWire ConfigCheck). Now, TripWire has a new free VMware tool available - OpsCheck.

OpsCheck analyzes configurations of ESX servers and their VMs, many of which are often easily overlooked. If OpsCheck discovers any configuration discrepancies that affect VMotion, Tripwire’s VMotion Troubleshooting Guidance provides tactical, specific recommendations for your environment, allowing you to immediately bring your system into a “VMotionable” state.

You can download it free at the TripWire vWire OpsCheck website.

Ideally, you need to use a server to run VMware ESX that is on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). However, say that you just need a low cost but high power test server to run ESX, can you slap together something home-built to do it? Absolutely. Here are some great links from my friends at Twitter who have done it and explain how you can do it, step by step:

• Installing VMware ESX and ESXi 3.5 on an HP Proliant ML115 G5 Quad Core
• Building a $500 VMware ESXi Host
• VM-Help Whitebox List
• Motherboards and unsupported servers that work with ESX 3.5 and / or ESXi 3.5 Installable
• Building a Home VMware Infrastructure Lab
• Updated Homebrew Hardware List
• Ultimate VMware ESX Whitebox
• Hardware to build cheap ESX Server
• Whitebox resources at NTPRO.NL

I just received a reviewer’s copy of a new Virtualization book entitled: Virtualization, A Beginner’s Guide. This book is by Danielle and Nelson Ruest and they are real virtualization experts. While the book isn’t written for experienced or advanced virtualization admins, this book is ideal for anyone new to virtualization.

Here I am with my copy… You can get yours at Amazon - Virtualization, A Beginner’s Guide.