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Like it or not virtualization is coming.
Obviously as you work with a product you learn tips and tricks. The following is a list of tools which will come in useful at some stage or another when working in your VMware environment.
1. VMware Infrastructure Client.
A little obvious but key in managing your VMware environment. Can be obtained by browsing to http://<youresxserver>
2. VMware Converter (http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/)
VMware converter is a tool which is freely available from the VMware website. The main function of this tool is to convert Physical Machines, ESX or VC Machines, Standalone Machines (Virtual Machines created on VMware Server or VMware Workstation) and Server images into VMware Servers or Standalone VMware images based on your choices. This is extremely useful for moving images from your VMware Server environment to your ESX environment.
3. VMware Server (http://www.vmware.com/products/server/)
VMware used to have a desktop product called GSX Server. In 2006 they released a free version of virtualization product for Windows and Linux operating systems. VMware server is great for basic product demonstrations, training and development work and happens to be one of the first applications I install on my desktop machine. Obviously not quite as good as ESX server as it has to access hardware via the Windows OS unlike ESX which uses its own custom Kernel for accessing the hardware.
4. Veeam FastSCP (http://www.veeam.com/veeam_fast_scp.asp)
Another challenge for a VMware admin is getting data whether it be ISO images, document, etc from their workstation to the ESX server. Veeam FastSCP provides a very fast, secure connection into your VMware ESX Server. You are able to see the Linux based file system in a Windows GUI and are able to simply right click and select Copy, Paste, etc. Another one of those tools you just must have! 5. BartPE (http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/)
BartPE is a customizable, bootable CD which allows you to boot your Server up to perform diagnostics. The bootable CD is great for burning in hardware and troubleshooting file system errors on your physical server. BartPE allows you to boot a server up and still have access to its physical drives to recover files, perform file operations which cannot be performed in windows due to file locks, etc. Another great tool!
6. Putty (http://www.putty.nl/)
If you've been in the ICT industry for any amount of time you will have heard of Putty. Putty is a free SSH and Telnet application which allows you access to your ESX server console to perform maintenance tasks. Generally speaking you can do everything from the VI Client but for those Linux Gurus out there who are command prompt junkies... here is the tool for the job!
7. dd console command (dd if=/dev/cdrom of=ISOName.iso)
This command can be used on the VMware console to make an ISO image of the disk in the cdrom drive. General practice is to create a datastore for your ISO images which you know you will need, Windows, Office, etc and locate them in this location for later use. Alternatively you could use a commercial product eg MagicISO, UltraISO, WinISO, etc to create the ISO File.
8. Edit sshd_config file (vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config)
To run a number of the tools mentioned above you will need to be able to log on to the ESX server using the root account. To enable the root account logon permission you should create a new standard user using the VI Client. Log on to the console using Putty as the newly created user. Once logged on execute the su command and then running the above file. You will now be able to logon as root. Dont forget to restart the sshd service once complete.
***NOTE*** This is creating a security loophole in your system. Ensure your root password is a secure, complex password to ensure your system is not compromised easily.
9. VMware Discussion Forums (http://www.vmware.com/community/index.jspa)
The most useful resource for any VMware admin.
10. VMware Disk Mount (http://www.vmware.com)
This tool allows you to take a VMware hard drive (.vmdk) and mount it as a drive on your Windows Machine. Perhaps not something you want to do often but for the odd troubleshooting, etc it is very handy. To download this you will need to search the VMware site, its not that easy to find as it is no longer listed on the Tools and Applications page but I think it is one of those tools you will want to hold on to.
11. VMware Disk Mount GUI (http://petruska.stardock.net/Software/VMware.html)
A GUI for which makes use of VMware's disk mount utility which allows you to simply mount and unmount vmdk files as Windows drives. If you need TABCTL32.ocx I would recommend searching on google for this. I will add a download link to this shortly I just need to find a location to upload it to. Currently you can download this by clicking on this link
12. All the VMware documents you can think of (http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=81191)
This is a link to all the VMware related documents you could possibly ask for! Eric Siebert a member of the VMware forums uploaded a list of all his VMware resources. Thanks Eric.
13. VMware ESX Server - Advanced Technical Design Guide (http://rapidapp.com/publications/VMware%20ESX%20Server%20Book.pdf)
Ron Oglesby and Scott Herold have written this book based on ESX Server 2.5. Obviously now with the release of ESX Server 3 and up this book is a little outdated, it still contains some very interesting points and some topics are still as relevant now as they were then! RapidApp, the company Ron currently works for RapidApp are hosting this book for free on their site.
14. esxRanger Pro (http://www.vizioncore.com/esxRangerPro.html)
Obviously in a VMware environment you still need backups. Simple? Make a copy of the VMDK file, create a new machine and then just use that VMDK! Yeah it will work BUT you need to power down the machine you are copying because VMware puts a lock on the VMDK file. esxRanger Pro gets around this and allows you to backup a running machine and either restore it to the server you made the backup from or to another ESX host. Uses a few dos based windows, etc but this is to be expected with a Linux based ESX Kernel!!! At this stage I am unsure of the pricing but the website contains links to Platinum, Gold and Silver partners who can all give you pricing on asking. 15. Virtual Center Log Files (%systemroot%\temp\vpx)
Any activity within your Virtual Center is written to the log. Problems were your sql account locks out or the password expired are logged in this location in a simple, easy to follow format. 16. Restarting VMware Services
Log on to the VMware ESX server host console and type the following commands:
Restarting VMware
service mgmt-vmware restart
Restarting Authentication Daemon
service vmware-vmkauthd restart
Restarting the SSH Daemon
/etc/init.d/sshd restart This document provides you with enough tools and commands to get your environment up and running. This document will be updated from time to time with new tools and applications.
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