Virtuozity

Link: http://www.powergui.org/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=290

The PowerGUI is a graphical front end to ease access to the Windows PowerShell. There are so called "PowerPacks" to enhance the functionality, e.g. for virtualization purposes. Right now, there are enhancements available for VMware, Xen and Hyper-V, but the PowerGUI community is growing rapidly.

Here is how to use PowerGUI with VMware: Before you install PowerGUI, please be sure you installed the PowerShell and the "VMware VI Toolkit for Windows". Now install PowerGUI and download the VMware.VIToolkit.powerpack. After starting PowerGUI click on "File - PowerShell Libraries..." and activate the VMware.VimAutomation.Core. Confirm and right-click on "PowerGUI - Import" and choose the PowerPack file. Now you are ready to go.

Link: http://communities.vmware.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/1118727-16763/VMware%20Enterprise%20Administration%20Exam%20study%20guide%203.pdf

Peter van den Bosch released a very fine summary of all topics that are mentioned in the official VCDX blueprint. If you are serious about taking the exam, you should read it to make sure you are prepared. I had some problems printing the PDF (especially page 18), but this could be a driver problem of my printer. Good luck with your exam!

Did you know that meanwhile vConverter supports a lot of different image formats for import? Right now you can choose from:

• VMware Workstation (*.vmx, *.vmtn)
• VMware Consolidated Backup (*.vmx)
• Microsoft Virtual PC / Virtual Server (*.vmc)
• Symantec Backup Exec (*.sv2i)
• StorageCraft ShadowProtect Files (*.spf)
• Acronis True Image (*.tib)

Especially the last one is good news to me, because True Image is one of my favorites. Very flexible and reliable solution, only the server licenses became pretty high priced in the last years.

Link: http://www.vmreference.com/vi3-card/

Forbes Guthrie created a great overview of VMware specs and figures. He calls his project the "vmreference card". Very useful if you are preparing for a VMware exam, but also for your EEE (Everyday ESX Experience).

When you try to import a machine via vCenter you might get an unknown error. If you look into the log file, you will find some SSL issues and an entry like this:

[2009-02-18 10:33:59.002 'P2V' 3792 error] [task,301] Task failed: at line number 7, not well-formed (invalid token)

This problem occurs commonly in European environments and is caused by the use of Umlaute, which are quite often used in the German language. The result is the "invalid token" message. Please remove all Umlaute from all VMs in vCenter (VM Names, Folders, Notes, etc.).