Update: HP ProLiant Smart Array Controller Driver VIB Installation Issues with VMware ESXi 5.0 Updates

In this article, I will discuss an issue that recently came up during the installation of a new HP ProLiant BL460c G8 blade at a customer site. The server was running VMware ESXi 5.0, and after installing two brand-new blades with HP Smart Array P220i controllers, I decided to upgrade from the previous version (VMware-ESXi-5.0.0-Update1-623860-HP-5.20.43.iso) to the latest build offered by VMware (821926). While this process is typically easy using VMware Update Manager, I encountered a few unexpected issues that required some additional troubleshooting and testing.

Issue Overview:

During the update process, I discovered that the HP Bootbank VIB for local SCSI controllers was removed by the VMware update. This resulted in the ESXi hosts being unable to read the local datastore from the HP Smart Array P220i Controller. To rectify this issue, I downloaded the scsi-hpsa-5.0.0-28OEM.500.0.472560.x86_64.vib file from hp.com and installed it on the host.

Troubleshooting and Resolution:

After installing the update, I then installed the HP ProLiant Smart Array Controller Driver using the following command:

~ # esxcli software vib install -v file:/tmp/scsi-hpsa-5.0.0-28OEM.500.0.472560.x86_64.vib

The installation resulted in the following output:

Installation Result:

Message: The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for the changes to take effect.

Reboot Required: true

Installed VIBs: Hewlett-Packard_bootbank_scsi-hpsa_5.0.0-28OEM.500.0.472560

Removed VIBs: VMware_bootbank_scsi-hpsa_5.0.0-17vmw.500.0.469512

Skipped VIBs:

After rebooting, the host was upgraded to the correct build and the local datastore was available as well.

Lessons Learned:

While updating your hosts, it is crucial to be careful and ensure you have a real retreat option ready if you need to quickly roll back to the previous build. The luxury of having the time and possibility to really troubleshoot the issue, might not be available to you if you are upgrading production systems. Test your updates, every time.

Accessing and Controlling Your HP ProLiant Servers with SSH and Plink

As lab administrators, we are always looking for ways to automate and streamline our workflows, especially when it comes to managing our server infrastructure. In this blog post, we will explore how to access and control your HP ProLiant servers with SSH and Plink, a powerful and versatile tool that allows us to send commands via SSH.

Background and Inspiration

Recently, Frank Denneman wrote a short blog post about accessing his Supermicro IPMI with SSH. He used this access to power on his lab servers. While I don’t use Supermicro boards in my lab, I do have four HP ProLiants with iLO (Integrated Lights-Out), which also has a SSH interface. This method of powering on my servers seemed very practical, especially because the iLO web interface isn’t the fastest. However, I wanted it to be a bit more automated, so I decided to use Plink to send commands via SSH.

Creating a New User Account for SSH Access

To start, we need to create a new user account in the iLO user database. This user will have only the rights to change the power state of the server. To do this, log in to the iLO web interface, click on “Administration,” then “User Administration” and “New.” Fill in the required fields, including a password, even if you plan to login with SSH public key authorization later.

Once you have created the new user account, we need to import the SSH key pair. To do this, log in to the iLO web interface again, click on “Administration,” then “Security” in the “Settings” area on the left. Click “Browse…” and select the text file with the SSH public key.

Importing the SSH Key

The key that is shown in the “Key” area of the PuTTY Key Generator differs from the saved public key. Both are public keys, but they have a different format. You have to import the key that is shown in the “Key” area. If you have imported the right key, the key is automatically assigned to the new user account.

Using Plink to Send Commands via SSH

Now that we have set up SSH access to our HP ProLiant servers, we can use Plink to send commands via SSH. Open a CMD and change to the directory with the Plink executable and the SSH private key. The following commands turn the server on/off:

* To turn on: C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY>plink -i sshlogin.ppk sshlogin@ilo-esx1.lab.local “power on”

* To turn off: C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY>plink -i sshlogin.ppk sshlogin@ilo-esx1.lab.local “power off”

A warm reset can be requested by using this command:

* C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY>plink -i sshlogin.ppk sshlogin@ilo-esx1.lab.local “power warm”

A cold reset can be requested by using this command:

* C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY>plink -i sshlogin.ppk sshlogin@ilo-esx1.lab.local “power reset”

You can put these commands into a batch file to power on/off a couple of servers with a single click.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explored how to access and control your HP ProLiant servers with SSH and Plink. By creating a new user account in the iLO user database and importing the SSH key pair, we can use Plink to send commands via SSH to power on/off our servers. This method is more automated and efficient than using the iLO web interface, especially when you need to perform multiple actions on multiple servers at once.

As a small business owner, I rely heavily on QuickBooks to manage my company’s finances. Recently, I attempted to update our payroll information, but was met with an error message that left me stumped. The message read “Error 15270” and provided no further explanation or guidance.

After some research, I discovered that Error Message 15270 is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors. Some possible causes include:

1. Corrupt or outdated payroll data: If the payroll data is corrupt or outdated, it can cause errors when attempting to update the information. This can happen if the data has been improperly imported or exported, or if the company’s financial information has changed but the payroll data has not been updated accordingly.

2. Incorrect or missing information: Another common cause of Error Message 15270 is incorrect or missing information in the payroll data. This can include things like invalid employee ID numbers, incorrect social security numbers, or missing bank account information.

3. Payroll tax updates: QuickBooks often updates payroll tax tables to reflect changes in tax laws and rates. If these updates are not applied correctly, it can cause errors when attempting to update the payroll.

4. System issues: Sometimes, system issues such as outdated software or hardware can cause errors in QuickBooks. This can include issues with the operating system, browser, or other software programs running on the computer.

To resolve Error Message 15270, I tried a few different troubleshooting steps. First, I checked the payroll data for any discrepancies or errors and made sure that all information was up-to-date and accurate. I also ensured that all tax tables were updated to the latest versions.

Next, I attempted to reinstall QuickBooks and ensure that my system met the minimum requirements for the software. I also tried running the QuickBooks diagnostic tool to identify any underlying system issues that may be causing the error.

After trying these troubleshooting steps, I was able to successfully update our payroll information without encountering the Error Message 15270 again. However, if you are still experiencing this issue, there are a few other things you can try:

1. Contact QuickBooks support: The QuickBooks support team is available 24/7 to assist with any issues you may be experiencing. They can help diagnose the problem and provide guidance on how to resolve it.

2. Check for updates: Make sure that your version of QuickBooks is up-to-date, as newer versions may include fixes for Error Message 15270.

3. Revert to a previous version: If you have recently updated QuickBooks and are experiencing the error, try reverting to a previous version to see if that resolves the issue.

4. Try a different browser: Sometimes, issues with the browser can cause errors in QuickBooks. Try using a different browser to see if that resolves the issue.

In conclusion, Error Message 15270 is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors when attempting to update payroll information in QuickBooks. By understanding the possible causes and trying some troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve this issue and successfully update your payroll information. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to contact QuickBooks support for further assistance.

Project NanoEdge: A Recipe for Success in Virtualized Environments

In a recent blog post, VMware announced an exciting new project called nanoEDGE, which has generated significant interest among customers and partners. As a seasoned expert in virtualization technology, I would like to provide a detailed overview of this innovative solution and explain why it’s a game-changer for businesses looking to maximize their virtualized environments.

At its core, nanoEDGE is a recipe for successful virtualization that outlines the supported configurations for tiny vSphere and vSAN. This project is a significant departure from traditional virtualization solutions, which often require complex and expensive hardware setups to achieve optimal performance. Instead, nanoEDGE offers a more streamlined and cost-effective approach that can be easily implemented in a variety of environments.

So, what makes nanoEDGE so special? The answer lies in its ability to provide a consistent and reliable virtualization experience across different hardware configurations. By supporting a wide range of hardware components, nanoEDGE ensures that businesses can choose the best fit for their specific needs without worrying about compatibility issues or performance bottlenecks.

One of the standout features of nanoEDGE is its support for Intel RSD (Rapid Storage Technology) drives. These drives are designed to provide faster and more reliable storage access, which is particularly important in virtualized environments where data is constantly being accessed and manipulated. By integrating RSD drives into their virtualization solutions, businesses can enjoy improved performance, lower latency, and enhanced data protection.

Another significant advantage of nanoEDGE is its support for PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) devices. PCIe is a high-speed peripheral interface that enables the connection of various devices such as graphics cards, network cards, and storage controllers to the host system. By supporting PCIe devices, nanoEDGE allows businesses to attach these devices directly to the host, bypassing the traditional I/O bus bottleneck. This results in improved performance, reduced latency, and increased scalability.

In addition to these exciting features, nanoEDGE also supports a range of other hardware components such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), memory, and storage devices. By carefully curating a list of supported configurations, VMware has ensured that businesses can confidently adopt nanoEDGE without worrying about compatibility issues or performance limitations.

So, why should you care about nanoEDGE? The answer is simple: it offers a powerful and flexible virtualization solution that can help businesses of all sizes to maximize their IT investments. With its support for a wide range of hardware components, nanoEDGE provides a cost-effective and streamlined approach to virtualization that can help businesses to reduce costs, improve performance, and increase scalability.

In conclusion, Project nanoEDGE is a game-changer for businesses looking to maximize their virtualized environments. By providing a consistent and reliable virtualization experience across different hardware configurations, nanoEDGE offers a powerful and flexible solution that can help businesses of all sizes to achieve their IT goals. Whether you’re looking to improve performance, reduce costs, or increase scalability, nanoEDGE has got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try today and experience the benefits of virtualization like never before!

Optimizing Your Datacenter with Windows Server, System Center, and Microsoft Azure

As organizations continue to grow their digital footprint, the need for robust and efficient datacenters has become increasingly important. To help meet this demand, Microsoft offers a suite of tools and technologies designed to optimize your datacenter, including Windows Server, System Center, and Microsoft Azure. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at these solutions and highlight five key benefits for optimizing your datacenter with them.

1. Improved Resource Utilization

One of the biggest challenges facing datacenters is how to effectively utilize their resources. Windows Server, System Center, and Microsoft Azure all offer features that help you do just that. For example, Windows Server offers a feature called Containers, which allows you to run multiple virtual machines on a single host, maximizing resource utilization. System Center provides advanced resource management capabilities, including automated load balancing and scaling, which ensures that resources are being used efficiently across your datacenter. Microsoft Azure offers a range of services, such as Azure Virtual Machines and Azure Container Instances, that allow you to quickly and easily deploy and manage virtual machines and containers in the cloud.

2. Enhanced Security

Datacenter security is critical, and Microsoft’s solutions offer a range of features designed to help protect your datacenter from threats. Windows Server includes advanced security features such as BitLocker and AppLocker, which can be used to encrypt and protect sensitive data, as well as feature like Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) which helps detect and respond to advanced attacks. System Center offers a range of security capabilities, including network access protection, which ensures that only authorized users and devices can access your datacenter resources. Microsoft Azure provides a suite of security services, such as Azure Security Center, which offers advanced threat protection and compliance scanning for your cloud infrastructure.

3. Simplified Management

Managing a datacenter can be complex and time-consuming, but Microsoft’s solutions can help simplify the process. Windows Server provides a range of management tools, including PowerShell and the Windows Admin Center, which allow you to easily manage your servers and infrastructure. System Center offers advanced management capabilities, such as automated patching and updating, which ensures that your datacenter resources are always up-to-date and running smoothly. Microsoft Azure provides a range of management services, such as Azure Policy and Azure Security Center, which allow you to easily manage your cloud infrastructure and ensure compliance with security and regulatory requirements.

4. Increased Agility

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, agility is key. Microsoft’s solutions can help you quickly respond to changing business needs and deploy new resources as needed. Windows Server offers a range of features that allow you to easily scale your infrastructure up or down as needed, such as Storage Spaces Direct, which allows you to create a shared storage pool across multiple servers. System Center provides advanced automation capabilities, including Azure Automation, which allows you to script and automate tasks and processes across your datacenter. Microsoft Azure offers a range of services, such as Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and Azure App Service, that allow you to quickly and easily deploy and manage applications in the cloud.

5. Cost Savings

Finally, optimizing your datacenter with Windows Server, System Center, and Microsoft Azure can help you save money on infrastructure costs. By using virtualization and container technologies, you can reduce the number of physical servers needed in your datacenter, which can lead to significant cost savings over time. Additionally, Microsoft’s cloud services offer pay-as-you-go pricing models, which can help you avoid upfront capital expenses and save money on infrastructure costs over time.

In conclusion, optimizing your datacenter with Windows Server, System Center, and Microsoft Azure can provide a range of benefits, including improved resource utilization, enhanced security, simplified management, increased agility, and cost savings. By leveraging these solutions, you can create a more efficient, secure, and agile datacenter that supports your organization’s digital transformation and growth.

As “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” celebrates its 25th anniversary, it’s worth remembering that the film was met with a mixed reception upon its release in 1999. While some fans were thrilled to return to the galaxy far, far away, others were disappointed by the film’s focus on young Anakin Skywalker and the introduction of new characters such as Jar Jar Binks. However, in recent years, the prequel has gained a new appreciation among fans, particularly those who view it as a prophetic tale about the dangers of fascism and the corruption of power.

The film’s title, “The Phantom Menace,” is a reference to the mysterious threat that hangs over the galaxy, one that is later revealed to be the sinister Senator Palpatine, who is secretly the dark side Sith Lord Darth Sidious. This theme of a shadowy menace threatening the stability of a democratic government is not unlike the current political climate, where authoritarian leaders and populist movements are on the rise.

Despite its flaws, “The Phantom Menace” is a crucial part of the Star Wars saga, providing backstory to some of the most beloved characters in the franchise. The film’s portrayal of Anakin Skywalker as a young, naive, and idealistic hero is particularly compelling, especially when contrasted with his eventual fall to the dark side as Darth Vader. Additionally, the film’s exploration of the complexities of democracy and the dangers of corruption make it more than just a simple space adventure.

In conclusion, “The Phantom Menace” may have been met with mixed reactions upon its initial release, but over time, its themes and characters have gained a new appreciation among fans. As a prophetic tale about the dangers of fascism and the corruption of power, the prequel is more relevant now than ever before. So, let’s celebrate the 25th anniversary of this beloved film by re-watching it and remembering its importance in the Star Wars saga.

VMware Norway Hosts Inaugural Community Day for Certified Professionals

On [insert date], VMware Norway hosted its inaugural Community Day event for certified VMware professionals in [insert location]. The day-long event brought together local certified professionals for a series of hands-on labs, specialized technical sessions, and general community building. As a certified VMware professional myself, I was excited to attend and participate in this new concept by VMware Norway.

Hands-On Labs

The event featured three hands-on labs, each focusing on a different aspect of VMware’s suite of products. The first lab covered VMware Site Recovery Manager, which allows organizations to protect and recover virtualized applications and data. The second lab focused on vCenter Operations, a management and automation platform that helps IT teams optimize and streamline their virtual infrastructure. The third lab explored Horizon Suite, a comprehensive desktop and application virtualization solution.

Specialized Technical Sessions

In addition to the hands-on labs, the event also featured several specialized technical sessions led by experienced VMware professionals. These sessions delved into various aspects of VMware’s technology, such as network virtualization, security, and disaster recovery. The speakers shared their expertise and insights on how to optimize VMware deployments and troubleshoot common issues.

Community Building

The Community Day event was not just about learning new skills and technologies; it was also an opportunity for local certified VMware professionals to connect and network with one another. The event provided a relaxed and informal setting where attendees could share their experiences, ask questions, and exchange knowledge and best practices.

Event Quality and Feedback

Overall, the event was well-organized and the speaker quality was exceptional. However, I did find that the hands-on labs had too little time allotted to them, making it nearly impossible to complete the labs within the given timeframes. Despite this limitation, we were able to get some hands-on experience with the various VMware products and technologies.

I would like to extend my gratitude to VMware Norway for hosting this event and providing such a valuable opportunity for local certified professionals to come together and learn from one another. I am already looking forward to the next Community Day event!

Special Shout-Outs

I would like to give a special shout-out to Stein Wilhelmsen, the organizer of the event, who did an excellent job in bringing everything together. Additionally, I would like to thank Christian Mohn and Stine Elise Larsen, the digital home of vNinja.net, for their support and contributions to the event.

Conclusion

In conclusion, VMware Norway’s Community Day event was a great success, providing certified professionals with hands-on labs, specialized technical sessions, and opportunities for community building. While there were some time constraints in the hands-on labs, the overall quality of the event and the speaker presentations were exceptional. I look forward to attending future Community Day events and continuing to expand my knowledge and skills in VMware’s suite of products.

VMware Norway’s Recent Community Event: A Hands-On Look

Last week, VMware Norway hosted an exclusive event for certified VMware professionals, offering a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the latest VMware technologies and network with fellow experts in the field. As a certified VMware professional myself, I was thrilled to attend this event and experience the hands-on labs, specialized technical sessions, and community building that it had to offer.

The event kicked off with a series of specialized technical sessions, each one focusing on a different aspect of VMware’s suite of products. These sessions were led by industry experts and offered valuable insights into the latest developments in the field. I was particularly interested in the session covering VMware Site Recovery Manager, as this is an area that I have been exploring in my own work. The speaker provided a comprehensive overview of the product and its features, as well as some helpful tips and tricks for implementing it in real-world environments.

Following the technical sessions, it was time for the hands-on labs. These labs allowed attendees to get hands-on experience with the products, putting into practice what they had just learned in the sessions. Unfortunately, the hands-on labs were allotted too little time, making it nearly impossible to complete them within the given timeframes. Despite this limitation, I was still able to gain some valuable experience working with VMware Site Recovery Manager and vCenter Operations.

One of the highlights of the event for me was the opportunity to network with fellow certified VMware professionals. It’s always helpful to connect with others in the field who share your interests and challenges, and this event provided a great platform for doing so. I was able to meet and speak with a number of other experts, exchanging ideas and best practices and learning from one another’s experiences.

Overall, I found the VMware Norway community event to be an excellent opportunity for certified VMware professionals to come together and learn from one another. Despite some limitations in the hands-on labs, the event provided a wealth of valuable information and insights, as well as a great chance to connect with fellow experts in the field. I look forward to attending future events hosted by VMware Norway and continuing to expand my knowledge and skills in the world of VMware technologies.

Troubleshooting Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDP) Issues: A Real-Life Example

As a virtualization administrator, I have had my fair share of troubleshooting issues with Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDP). Recently, I was tasked with resolving some problems with a customer’s terminal server farm running Windows 2008 R2. The issues were related to removable media and audio on IGEL thin clients, but the main problem proved to be more challenging. Remote users were unable to log in to the terminal servers over VPN, but the login was successful when using the local administrator account of the terminal server.

After checking the event logs, I found Event 4625, which indicated that the SID of the terminal servers was the same. The customer had deployed the first server from a VMware template with a customization specification, and the following terminal servers were cloned with VMware, but the customization specification wasn’t applied, and sysprep wasn’t run.

The issue was reproducible, and it became clear that we needed to change the SID. However, NewSID is not supported with Windows Server 2008 R2, so this wasn’t an option. The best way to resolve the issue was to re-run sysprep.

Here are the steps we took to resolve the issue:

1. Stop the Terminal Services service on all terminal servers.

2. Run sysprep /generalize /shutdown /oobe /quiet on each terminal server.

3. After sysprep completes, start the Terminal Services service on each terminal server.

4. Test the connectivity of remote users to the terminal servers over VPN.

The steps worked for us, and we were able to resolve the issue. However, before applying these changes, it is essential to test them in your environment to ensure they do not cause any other issues.

In this blog post, I wanted to share a real-life example of troubleshooting Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDP) issues and how we were able to resolve the problem. As virtualization administrators, we often encounter issues that are not easily resolved, but by following established best practices and using tools like sysprep, we can resolve even the most challenging issues.

Experiences with ASR Rules in Windows 11 and Intune

As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise security, we often find ourselves facing new challenges and obstacles. One such challenge that I have recently encountered is the incompatibility of some ASR (AppLocker Software Restriction) rules with Windows 11. In this blog post, I will share my experiences with this issue and seek input from others who may have faced similar problems.

Background

Our company has been using ASR rules in Intune to enforce strict security policies and limit the execution of certain applications on our systems. These rules have been set up via Intune and have been working well for us under Windows 10. However, since we upgraded to Windows 11, some of these rules have stopped functioning as expected.

One particular rule that has caused issues is “Block all Office applications from creating child processes.” This rule was previously effective in preventing any Office application from launching additional processes, but it no longer works under Windows 11.

Security Recommendations

After investigating the issue, I found a recommendation in the Microsoft documentation for Intune that states: “Intune is only supported on Windows 10.” This statement suggests that Intune may not be compatible with Windows 11, which could explain why some of our ASR rules are no longer working as expected.

Implications and Next Steps

If the recommendation to use Intune only on Windows 10 is accurate, then we may need to rebuild our policies from scratch. This would be a time-consuming and resource-intensive task, but it may be necessary to ensure the continued security of our systems.

I am reaching out to the community to see if anyone has had similar experiences with ASR rules in Windows 11 and Intune. Have you encountered any issues or limitations with your ASR policies since upgrading to Windows 11? If so, how did you resolve them? Your input could be invaluable in helping me navigate this challenge and ensuring the security of our systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest developments in enterprise security and keeping a close eye on changes in operating system versions and software applications. As IT professionals, we must be proactive in addressing any issues that may arise and seeking input from others when necessary.

I hope that by sharing my experiences and seeking input from the community, I can help others avoid similar challenges and ensure the continued security of their systems. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences on this topic.