viernes, 29 de junio de 2007

StreetView de google, increible

Otra vez mas nos sorprenden los amigos de google. A veces dan miedo:

http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/index.html

Puedes hacer un tour virtual por los sitios que tienen metidos (por el momento 3). Requiere tener instalado la ultima version del flash player.

jueves, 28 de junio de 2007

Script para Backup de VMs en caliente II

El script que mencionaba esta en : http://www.xtravirt.com/ .
Va bastante bien y hay continuamente nuevas versiones.

viernes, 25 de mayo de 2007

Script para Backup de VMs en caliente

Andaba yo buscando desde hacia tiempo algo que me puediera solucionar el backup de los discos duros de maquinas virtuales que estuviesen en produccion. Al menos de las windows que son las mas problemáticas.
He dado con un script que, por lo que llevo probado, lo hace a la perfección:

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=70253&start=0&tstart=0

Es bastante activo el autor, asi que si teneis dudas preguntad en el foro!

jueves, 10 de mayo de 2007

VMware Player para probar .ISOs

Nada, que andaba con la distribucion wifiSlax que no me arrancaba bien y me dije cómo puedo probar con el vmwarePlayer una .iso de un Live CD?
(Puede ser bueno para los probadores compulsivos de LiveCDs)

Pues nada creamos un fichero .vmx con un contenido similar a este:

config.version = "8"
virtualHW.version = "4"
memsize = "192"
ide1:0.present = "TRUE"
ide1:0.fileName = "D:\Mis Documentos\knoppix.iso"
ide1:0.deviceType = "cdrom-image"
floppy0.fileName = "A:"
usb.present = "TRUE"
displayName = "Knoppix"
guestOS = "otherlinux"
priority.grabbed = "normal"
priority.ungrabbed = "normal"
powerType.powerOff = "soft"
powerType.powerOn = "hard"
powerType.suspend = "hard"
powerType.reset = "soft"

workingDir = "."

Y lo arrancamos con VmPlayer. Los parametros son bastante explicativos de por sí. Los cruciales:
memsize = "memoria que reservará. Ojo que crea un fichero de dicho tamaño donde indique el parametro workingDir"
ide1:0.present = "TRUE"
ide1:0.fileName = "Ruta a la .iso"

Así ya tenemos una plantilla creada para ejecutar las distros que queramos y verles la cara.

Las que no sean ISOs de livecds también las cojerá pero no podrá instalar en el HD porque sencillamente no hay ninguno. Deberiamos poner un vmdk valido, etc...


Cluster GFS de maquinas virtuales con VmWare: Ideas

Tengo desde hace tiempo en la cabeza el proyecto de realizar un cluster de maquinas virtuales bajo linux: Una solucion muy escalable y versatil que lleva implicta la alta disponibilidad.

Por el momento, todos los clusters que he visto nombrados en vmware son clusters de microsoft en maquinas vituales pero ninguno que corra sobre maquinas linux. Este estudio me servirá para determinar si es posible realizar esta solucion y si se puede llevar a produccion incluso para servidores tipo IMAP con millones de pequeños ficheros (situacion mas desafavorable para el filesystem).

De partida descarto Xen como tecnologia para virtualización en produccion. Yo esperaria un par de años antes de poner nada en produccion con paravirtualizacion. Tiene muy buena pinta pero si no quieres estar sufriendo una solucion recien nacida no os lo aconsejo.

La eleccion del sistema de ficheros GFS (o GFS2 si logro ponerlo) viene dado por los conocimientos que tengo (hemos echado a andar un cluster gfs para web(apache) y servidor de apps(tomcat) y funciona a las mil maravillas). Otras implementaciones como PolyServe están fuera de presupuesto.


Algunas ideas/pasos para ponerlo en marcha:

Instalacion de GFS en una maquina virtual.
En esto no creo que tengamos problemas, es identico a una maquina real. La instalación en un RedHat 4U4 la haré por rpms.

Clonacion.
Una vez tenemos una vm (nodo) del cluster bien configurado lo clonamos (con lo que tenga en eso momento, copiando discos vmdk y cambiando los vmx...). De esta forma tendrmos 3 nodos idénticos. Necesitariamos una vlan para señalización del gfs y otra vlan para los datos de aplicación.

Acceso Raw Device Mapping.
Las luns de datos estarán en una cabina DS4300, haremos un RDM de dichas luns.


Fencing.
Esta es una de las cosas que mas me preocupa. El fencing es la forma que tiene el gfs de impedir que un nodo corrompa el fs. Cuando un nodo ha perdido heartbeats (se envían por la red de señalización) los demas nodos que forman el cluster deciden que no tenga acceso a los datos. Esto se puede hacer de diversas formas: Por medio de un switch de corriente(apagando el nodo), Cortando el acceso a la lun de datos,etc.

Cuando los nodos son reales esto no supone ningun problema, pero ¿ Y con maquinas virtuales ? Buscando en google(herramienta de trabajo donde las haya) podemos ver que no hay mucho implementado a este respecto.

Podemos ver la solución que nos plantean aqui .
Se trata de un script de perl que manda un comanda com vmware-cmd al ESX remoto que alberga el nodo que ha perdido la comunicación.
Esta solución no es viable puesto que con ejecutar de forma local el comando vmware-cmd.pl ruta_a_la_vm.vmx off hard ya nos tardaría alrededor de 3,5", tiempo inaceptable para un cluster en producción puesto que hasta que el nodo no es 'fenceado' el nodo que 'fencea' no tiene acceso al FS.

La solución más inmediata y elegante es realizar el fenceo via RPC. Matando la vm, averiguando su pid a través de su numbre (nombre.vmx).

Las pruebas que llevo hasta ahora me dan tiempos de 40ms en local y desde remoto unos 80ms, claro que depende de la latencia de la red. Por ello nos viene muy bien el hecho de que la señalización vaya por una vlan diferente.

Pruebas de carga.
Bueno , esto está por ver. Es posible que se hagan pruebas con IMAP.

Espero escribir un poco mas sobre el tema pronto.

miércoles, 9 de mayo de 2007

Links documentación Vmware

Visto en bevirtual.blogspot:

Backups:

Virtual Machine Backup Guide -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_vm_backup.pdf
Consolidated Backup in Vmware Infrastructure 3 -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_consolidated_backup.pdf
Vmware Consolidated Backup Best Practices, Tips and Tricks -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/bct4540.pdf
Backup and Recovery of Virtual Servers -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/mdc9870.pdf
Hot Backups and Restores -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9816.pdf
Non-disruptive Backups of Vmware Environments Using Veritas Netbackup -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9912.pdf
Vmware Consolidated Backup for Disaster Recovery -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/labs2006/vmworld.06.lab01-VCB-PRESENTATION.pdf
Perl Backup Script for Vmware ESX - vmbk.pl ( free ) -
http://www.vmts.net/vmbk.htm
ESX Ranger ( not free ) -
http://vizioncore.com
esXpress ( not free ) -
http://esxpress.com
Backup scripts -
http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk/?p=23 and
http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk/?p=156
Shell script -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=475244񴁬
Perl script -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=70253&start=0&tstart=0
Oracle backups -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=76746&messageID=601703#601703
Vmware Consolidated Backup Technology: Today and Future -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/bct4539.pdf
Implementing Effective Backup Strategies for Disaster Recover -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/bct9502.pdf

Books/Documentation/Learning Resources:

http://www.lulu.com/content/712361

http://www.vi3book.com

http://www.vmguru.com/

Vmware VI3 documentation -
http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html
Configuration Maximums for VMware Infrastructure 3 -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_301_201_config_max.pdf
Vmworld presentations -
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/vmworld/
ESX on non-supported hardware to learn with -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=77560

Citrix

Optimizing Citrix Presentation Server on Vmware ESX Server -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/med0115.pdf
Citrix and Vmware -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9728.pdf


Cloning:

Newsid -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/NewSid.mspx
Sysprep -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/duplication.mspx
Sysprep -
http://www.vernalex.com/guides/sysprep/

Clustering:

Setup for Microsoft Cluster Service -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_vm_and_mscs.pdf

Converter/P2V:

Boot.ini file -
http://mirror.href.com/thestarman/asm/mbr/bootini.htm
Guide to P2V 2.x -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/admin-p2v-2.0.pdf
Vmware P2V Assistant Best Practices -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9886.pdf
Converter tutorial -
http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_convert_physical_machines_to_virtual_machines_with_vmware_converter.htm
Introducing the Next Generation of P2V: Vmware Converter 3.0 -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9453.pdf
Converter FAQ -
http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/faqs.html
Converter Manual -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/VMware_Converter_manual.pdf
Converter Release Notes -
http://www.vmware.com/support/converter/doc/releasenotes_conv3.html
Converter Data Sheet -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/converter_datasheet.pdf
Converter download -
http://www.vmware.com/download/converter/
Import of physical machine fails -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=567860򊨴
Ultimate P2V -
http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk/?page_id=174
EZ P2V -
http://www.ezp2v.net/
VMware P2V and Virtual Machine Importer -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/labs2006/vmworld.06.lab09-P2V.VMImporter-MANUAL.pdf
What machines should not be converted -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=73357
Remove non-present devices from converted system -
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/winxphks2/chapter/hack116.pdf
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315539
http://www.vmware.com/support/p2v21/doc/updatedevices7.html
Linux conversion -
http://virtualaleph.blogspot.com/2007/04/cloning-linux-machine-with-converter.html
Linux conversion -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=562582򉖖


Domain Controllers/Active Directory:

Virutalization of Active Directory -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=352424񖂨
Considerations when hosting Active Directory domain controller in virtual hosting environments -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888794
Virtualizing a Windows Active Directory Domain Infrastructure -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9710.pdf
How to detect and recover from a USN rollback in Windows 2003 Server:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885875/
How to detect and recover from a USN rollback in Windows 2000 Server:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875495/
P2Ving Domain Controllers -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=390630

ESX:

Disabling Web access on the ESX Server -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=59508&tstart=0
Using SCP to Copy Files to or from an ESX Server System -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1918
Using SCP to Copy Files to or from an ESX Server System -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=599300򒔄
ESX Server 3.0 Tips and Tricks -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9567.pdf
Change VM swap file path -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=530426
Change VM swap file path -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_esx_resource_mgmt.pdf (Page 141)

Vmimages obsolete -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=503192
Vmimages obsolete -
http://www.vmware.com/community/message.jspa?messageID=530228
3.0.1 restart bug -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=597633򑺁
3.0.1 restart bug -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=75462&tstart=0

General:

Server product comparison -
http://www.vmware.com/products/server_comp.html
Introduction to ESX 3.0.1 and VirtualCenter 2.0.1 -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_intro_vi.pdf
Tips and tricks for implementing infrastructure services on ESX server -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/tips_tricks_infrastructure_services.pdf
Virtual Infrastructure Implementation Best Practices From A to Z -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/adc0051.pdf
Vmware Infrastructure 3 Customer FAQ -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_customer_faq.pdf
Server Consolidation with VMware ESX Server -
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp3939.pdf
Virtual Machine Cost Calculator spreadsheet -
http://www.ronoglesby.com/downloads/vmoglator1.1.xls
TCO Calculator -
http://www.vmware.com/products/vi/calculator.html?

HA/DRS:

Automating High Availability (HA) Services with Vmware HA -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vmware_ha_wp.pdf
Effective DRS and HA in Production -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9413.pdf
Resource Management with Vmware DRS -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vmware_drs_wp.pdf
Resource Management in Vmware ESX Server 3 -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9726.pdf
Intel & AMD with HA & DRS -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=526615

Hardware:

Vmotion CPU Compatibility for Intel processors -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1991
Vmotion CPU Compatibility for AMD processors -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1992
Vmotion - How to override CPU masks due to cpu mismatch -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1993
Vmotion requirements -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_admin_guide.pdf (Chapter 14)

Vmotion between Apples and Oranges: Understanding CPU Compatibility Restraints for Vmotion -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac1356.pdf
Vmotion and CPU Compatibility -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=452231񮚇
Vmotion Info tool -
http://www.run-virtual.com/?page_id=155
HP Management Agents for VMware ESX Server 3.x version 7.7.0 -
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/26407.html
Vmotion and VM Compatibility Matrix for Dell PowerEdge Servers -
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/solutions/vmotion_compatiblity_matix.pdf
Vmotion and VM Compatibility Matrix for HP Proliant Servers -
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/products/servers/vmware/vmmotion-compatibility-matrix.pdf
HP Vmotion Compatibility Matrix -
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/software/vmware/hpvmotion-compatibility-matrix.html
Production Consolidation using VMware and the AMD Opteron Processor -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/adc9743.pdf

IBM Insights in Sizing Hardware for Virtualization -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac4057.pdf
HP Virtualization Management Software -
http://h18013.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantessentials/valuepack/vms/index.html
10K vs. 15K & iSCSI -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=75202
To vSMP or not to vSMP -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=298150񈲦
Best Practices using Vmware Virtual vSMP -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsmp_best_practices.pdf
Hardware recommendations to build a cheap ESX server -
http://www.vmweekly.com/articles/hardware_recommendations_to_build_cheap_esx_server/1/
White box/Home ESX system -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=620124򗙜

Licensing:

Vmware licensing page -
http://www.vmware.com/download/licensing.html
Server-based License File Checker -
http://www.vmware.com/checklicense/
Pricing, Packaging & Licensing Overview -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi_pricing.pdf
Install License File -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=76518
Microsoft Virtual Machine Technology FAQ -
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/virtualization/faq.mspx
Windows Server Virtualization Calculator -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/calculator.mspx
Licensing Microsoft Server Products with Virtual Machine Technologies -
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/9/68964284-864d-4a6d-aed9-f2c1f8f23e14/virtualization_whitepaper.doc

Linux:

Getting a DHCP Address in a Red Hat Linux Virtual Machine -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/977
Windows to Linux roadmap -
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-roadmap.html
Windows to Linux roadmap post on Vmtn -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=77279
Install Vmware Tools in a Linux VM under ESX Server 3.x -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/5242329
From DOS/Windows to Linux HowTo -
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/DOS-Win-to-Linux-HOWTO.html
Universal Command Guide for Operating Systems -
http://www.allcommands.com/

Memory:

Host Mem and Guest Mem % -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=620581򗠥
http://www.stanford.edu/~stinson/cs240/cs240_1/revs/esx.txt
The Role of Memory in ESX Server 3 -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx3_memory.pdf
Memory resource management in Vmware ESX Server -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/usenix_resource_mgmt.pdf
Understanding memory usage in Windows 2000 -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/tips/w2mem.mspx
Operating System Extensions to Support Host Based Virtual Machines -
http://www.eecs.umich.edu/techreports/cse/2002/CSE-TR-465-02.pdf
Memory performance -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=65293
Memory Shares/Limits/Reservations -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=73411
RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff -
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=555223
Understanding the Impact of RAM on Overall System Performance -
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Understanding-Impact-RAM-Overall-System-Performance.html
RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff -
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/WindowsGeneralWeb/RAMVirtualMemoryPageFileEtc.htm
Pagefile thread -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=79080&messageID=617876#617876
Resizing Memory With Balloons and Hotplug -
https://ols2006.108.redhat.com/reprints/schopp-reprint.pdf

Networking:

VMware ESX Server 3 802.1Q VLAN Solutions -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx3_vlan_wp.pdf

Networking Virtual Machines -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/TAC9689-A.pdf
Networking Scenarios & Troubleshooting -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9689-b.pdf

Duplex Mismatch Primer -
http://www.happyrouter.com/content/view/32/1/
3rd party software and the new Service Console Firewall -
http://kb.vmware.com/KanisaPlatform/Publishing/302/2143_f.SAL_Public.html
Firewall and Netbackup -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=477399񴣗
DMZ & VLANs -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=347532񔶌
ESX & DMZ -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=233918𹆾
ESX & DMZ -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=344471񔆗
ESX VM’s in the DMZ -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?forumID=21&threadID=19402&messageID=222399#222399
Second Service Console NIC -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=536518򂿆
NIC teaming and VLAN trunking -
http://blog.scottlowe.org/2006/12/04/esx-server-nic-teaming-and-vlan-trunking/
Which NIC is used in cold migration -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=555404򇦌
Esxcfg-firewall -
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:do0cm-wxcWsJ:download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/labs2006/vmworld.06.lab05-SECURITY-MANUAL-APPENDIX.pdf+esxcfg-firewall&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us
Service Console and Vmotion NIC sharing -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=146348𣮬
Configure multiple IP addresses to a NIC in Linux -
http://handsonhowto.com/virt.html
Configure a static MAC address for a VM -
http://virtrix.blogspot.com/2007/04/vmware-configuring-static-mac-address.html
Rename a vSwitch -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=80075&tstart=0
Rename a vSwitch -
http://www.vmweekly.com/ask_an_expert/how_can_I_rename_a_virtual_switch/1/
Changing the MAC address of a virtual machine -
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=507

Patches:

Patch Management for ESX Server 3 -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx3_esxupdate.pdf
Download -
http://www.vmware.com/download/vi/index.html
ESX patches -
http://www.vmware.com/download/vi/vi3_patches.html#c4310
Virtual Center 2.0.1 Patch2 -
http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/vc-201-200702-patch.html
Autopatching ESX host -
http://virtrix.blogspot.com/2007/03/vmware-autopatching-your-esx-host.html
Patching and updating Vmware ESX Server 3 -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9858.pdf
Automated download of ESX patches -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=600341
Patch Script: -
http://www.vmprofessional.com/material/esx-autopatch.pl
Pre-compiled patchlist.txt -
http://www.vmprofessional.com/material/3.0.1/patchlist.txt and
http://www.vmprofessional.com/material/3.0.0/patchlist.txt
Patch order -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=80531 amd
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=80296

Performance:

VMware ESX Server guest performance tips Pt .1 -
http://searchservervirtualization.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid94_gci1231666,00.html
VMware ESX Server guest performance tips Pt. 2 -
http://searchservervirtualization.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid94_gci1231917,00.html
VMware ESX Server guest performance tips Pt. 3 -
http://searchservervirtualization.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid94_gci1235138,00.html
Top 12 ways to Improve Guest Server Performance under VMware ESX Server -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/mdc9700.pdf
Vmware ESX Server 2 Performance Tips and Tricks -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx_performance_tips_tricks.pdf
Performance Tuning for VI3 -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9872.pdf
Performance Troubleshooting -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/labs2006/vmworld.06.lab04-PERFORMANCE-MANUAL.pdf
Performance Tuning Best Practices for ESX Server 3 -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi_performance_tuning.pdf
ESX Server 3.0 Tips and Tricks -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9567.pdf
Performance Monitoring and Capacity Planning -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/adc0199.pdf
A Performance Comparisopn of Hypervisors -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/hypervisor_performance.pdf
Using esxtop to troubleshoot performance problems -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx2_using_esxtop.pdf
ESX Workload Analysis: Lessons Learned -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/adc9398.pdf

RTFM Guides:

Upgrade Guide to ESX 3 and VirtualCenter 2 -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx3.x-vc2-upgradeguide.pdf
Guide to ESX 3 Service Console -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx3.x-vc2.x-serviceconsole-guide.pdf
Guide to ESX 2.x Administration I -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/admin-01-esx2.x.pdf
Guide to ESX 2.x Administration II -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/admin-02-esx2.x.pdf
Beyond the Manual - VMware ESX 2.x -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx2.x-beyondthemanual.pdf
ESX 2.x Service Console Quick Command-Line Guide -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx2.x-serviceconsolecommands.pdf
Guide to vCenter 1.x Administration -
http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/admin-vcenter1.2.pdf

Scripting:

Simplifying Administration with Scripting APIs -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/labs2006/vmworld.06.lab12-Scripting.VI3-MANUAL.pdf

Security:

Vmware as a secure and leak resistant sandbox environment -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=66085&tstart=0
Security Design of the Vmware Infrastructure 3 Architecture -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_security_architecture_wp.pdf
Vmware Infrastructure 3 Security Hardening -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_security_hardening_wp.pdf
VI3 Securing and Monitoring -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/labs2006/vmworld.06.lab05-SECURITY-MANUAL-APPENDIX.pdf
Vmware ESX Server – Providing LUN Security -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx_lun_security.pdf
Vmware and NSA -
http://www.vmware.com/company/news/releases/nsa_pr.html

Service Console:

Common Linux commands on the service console -
http://www.vmts.net/article/linuxcommand.htm
Command Line Interface Tips and Tricks for Vmware ESX Server 2 and 3 -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9685.pdf

Snapshots:

Snapshots take long time to commit -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=74669
Snapshots take long time to commit -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=584324򎪄
Snapshots take long time to commit -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=73553
Beware the long snapshot -
http://www.vmwarez.com/2006/11/beware-long-snapshot.html

Storage:

SAN Configuration Guide -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_esx_san_cfg.pdf
SAN System Design and Deployment Guide -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_san_design_deploy.pdf
Extending a VMFS3 data store -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=65156&tstart=0
LUNS -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=333672񑝨
HBA load balancing -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=342918񓮆
HBA Redundancy -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=428932񨮄
Configuring iSCSI in a Vmware 3 environment -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_iscsi_cfg.pdf
iSCSI , NAS and IP Storage Configuration for Vmware ESX Server -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9722.pdf

ESX Server Raw Device Mapping -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx25_rawdevicemapping.pdf
Unofficial list of SATA controllers that will work with ESX -
http://vmprofessional.com/index.php?content=sata_faq
Running Vmware ESX on SATA disks -
http://www.virtualization.info/2006/02/tech-running-vmware-esx-server-on-sata.html
Install ESX on SATA -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=554936򇞸
Fibre channel paths -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=76763&messageID=601390#601390
http://www.vmware.com/support/esx2/doc/esx20admin_multipath_disks.html
http://www.vmware.com/support/esx21/doc/esx21admin_multipath_disks.html
VMFS volume symblic links/uuid -
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/RHEL-3-Manual/sysadmin-guide/ch-devlabel.html
VMFS volume symblic links/uuid -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=606588򔅼
Choosing and Architecting Storage for your Environment -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/adc0135.pdf
Using multi-pathing in ESX Server -
http://www.vmware.com/support/esx21/doc/esx21admin_multipath_disks.html
Vmware Infrastructure 3, HP StorageWorks best practices -
http://h71019.www7.hp.com/ActiveAnswers/downloads/VMware3_StorageWorks_BestPractice.pdf

Time sync:

Configuring windows time service (not in ESX) -
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Configuring-Windows-Time-Service.html
Vmware time sync and windows time service (understand windows time first) -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1318
Time sync -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?forumID=21&threadID=16115&messageID=186017
Timekeeping in VMware virtual machines -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vmware_timekeeping.pdf
Clock in a Linux guest runs more slowly or quickly than real time -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1420

Troubleshooting:

Troubleshooting Vmware ESX Server 3 and Vmware VirtualCenter 2 -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/mdc9694.pdf
Kernrate viewer -
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=d6e95259-8d9d-4c22-89c4-fad382eddcd1&displaylang=en
VI3 Network Scenarios and Troubleshooting -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9689-b.pdf
VirtualCenter 2 Diagnostics -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac4096.pdf
Tips for Troubleshooting Vmware ESX Server Faults -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac0028.pdf
Vm-support options -
http://www.vmug.nl/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=2&page=15
When disaster strikes Vmware -
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-vmware/
Troubleshoot high CPU on ESX with top command -
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&context=SSEQTP&q1=mustgather+cpu&uid=swg21132699&loc=en_US&cs=utf-8&lang=en

Upgrade from ESX 2.x to ESX 3.0:

Virtual Infrastructure 3: Beta to Production -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/mdc5173.pdf
Understanding Virtual Infrastructure Upgrade Moving to the new ESX 3.0/VC2.0 Release -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/tac9809.pdf
Details of What's New and Improved in VMware Infrastructure 3 -
http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/whatsnew_esx301_vc201.html
Vmware Infrastructure 3 Release Notes -
http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/releasenotes_esx301_vc201.html
Planning a Upgrade to Vmware Infrastructure 3 -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_upgrade_plan.pdf
http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk/docs/vmwdocs/ESX3.x-VC2-upgradeguide.pdf

Utilities:

Vmware utilities -
http://petruska.stardock.net/Software/VMware.html
WinScp -
http://winscp.net/eng/index.php
Vmount 1.1 for Vmware -
http://www.abinsight.com/vm/
FastSCP -
http://www.veeam.com/veeam_fast_scp.asp

Virtual disk (VMDK):

Repair VMDK -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=77535&messageID=606523#606523
Extend boot volume of Windows 2003 VM -
http://vmprofessional.com/index.php?content=2k3resize
Resizing Windows VM disks -
http://djberen.googlepages.com/resizingvmwarepartitions
Defragging virtual disks -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=77661&tstart=0
Resizing Windows VM disks -
http://www.vmprofessional.com/index.php?content=2k3resize
Resizing Windows VM disks -
http://h0bbel.p0ggel.org/2007/04/10/howto-expand-vm-boot-partition/
Resizing Windows VM disks -
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Recovery/System-Rescue-CD-188.shtml
Unable to log on if the boot partition drive letter has changed -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/249321/en-us
How to restore the system/boot drive letter in Windows -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223188/en-us

Virtual Center:

VIrtualCenter Technical Best practices -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vc_technical_best.pdf
VirtualCenter Monitoring and Performance Statistics -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_monitoring_statistics_note.pdf
VirtualCenter 2.X Using Database Views -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vc_dbviews_2x.pdf
SQL Server database as a VM Guest -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=577459򌾳
SQL 2005 support -
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/6565318
SQL 2005 Express edition support -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=67175
SQL 2005 support -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=75222
Operation timeout -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=75010
Managing remote servers -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=593730򐽂
Running VirtualCenter in a Virtual Machine -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_vc_in_vm.pdf
Template Usage and Best Practices -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vc_2_templates_usage_best_practices_wp.pdf
Virtual Center and remote ESX servers -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=593730򐽂
Managing Vmware VirtualCenter Roles & Permissions -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_vc_roles.pdf

Virtual Machine:

VMware disk files explained -
http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_vmware_files_explained.htm
What Files Make Up a Virtual Machine? -
http://www.vmware.com/support/ws5/doc/ws_learning_files_in_a_vm.html
Installing Windows XP on ESX -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=61099&tstart=100
SQL Server virtualization and multi-instancing -
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/virtualization.mspx
How to virtualize SQL Server on Virtual server -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/events/vs/add-62.mspx
Configuring swap files on Windows 2003 VM -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=326236
Deploying Microsoft Exchange in Vmware Infrastructure -
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/exchange_best_practices.pdf
Change vswp file location -
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=530426

Vmware Server:

10 ways to increase performance on a Vmware system -
http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_increase_vmware_performance.htm
Vmware Server Tips and Tricks -
http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/dvt4696.pdf

Websites:

Mike Laverick's RTMF Education -
http://www.rtfm-ed.co.uk
Vmware Technology Center -
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/technology/
Australia and New Zealand's Premier Virtualisation Community -
http://www.ozvms.com/
VM Professional -
http://vmprofessional.com/
Virtual Tricks -
http://virtrix.blogspot.com/
http://www.vmweekly.com/
http://x86virtualization.com/
http://sanbarrow.com/
http://www.virtualization.info/
http://www.run-virtual.com/
http://www.vmwareprofessional.com/
Vmwarez -
http://www.vmwarez.com/
Virtual Strategy Magazine -
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/en/home
http://blog.scottlowe.org/
http://trivore.com/vmware/esx25.html
Virtual Infrastructure 411 -
http://www.vi411.org/