VMworld 2019 US: Community Blog Posts

As another successful VMworld conference comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the amazing blog posts from the talented community of bloggers who joined us in Las Vegas this year. From in-depth product demos to thoughtful reflections on the future of technology, these posts offer a unique perspective on all the excitement and innovation that took place at VMworld 2019 US.

First up is a post from Chris Evans, who shared his thoughts on the major announcements and product launches that took place during the keynote sessions. Chris provides a detailed breakdown of each announcement, including his own analysis and insights into what they mean for the future of the industry. Be sure to check out his post for a comprehensive overview of all the exciting news from VMworld 2019 US.

Next up is a post from John Saddington, who focused on the topic of digital transformation and its impact on businesses of all sizes. John provides some valuable insights into how technology is changing the way we work and live, and offers practical advice for organizations looking to embrace digital transformation. His post is a must-read for anyone interested in staying ahead of the curve when it comes to technology trends.

Another standout post comes from David Davis, who offered a detailed look at one of the most highly anticipated product launches of the conference: VMware Cloud on AWS. David provides a step-by-step guide to setting up and configuring the new service, as well as some valuable tips and tricks for getting the most out of it. If you’re interested in learning more about VMware Cloud on AWS, be sure to check out David’s post for all the details.

Finally, we have a post from William Lam, who took a closer look at some of the new features and enhancements that were announced for vSphere 7.0 during the conference. William provides a detailed analysis of each feature, including their potential use cases and how they can benefit organizations of all sizes. His post is a must-read for anyone looking to get the most out of vSphere 7.0.

In addition to these fantastic blog posts, we also want to give a shoutout to all of the talented bloggers who joined us at VMworld 2019 US. These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds and bring their own unique perspectives to the table, making for a diverse and engaging community. We’re honored to have had them be a part of our conference and look forward to seeing what they have in store for us next year.

Overall, VMworld 2019 US was an incredible success, thanks in large part to the efforts of our amazing community of bloggers. We’re thrilled to see so many talented individuals coming together to share their knowledge and insights with the world. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next year!

AMD’s Ryzen AI 300: A Promising but Slow Start in the Notebook Market

AMD has recently launched its new line of Ryzen AI 300 processors, which promise to deliver powerful performance and advanced AI capabilities in notebooks. However, despite the initial fanfare, the rollout of these processors has been slow and inconsistent, with few notebook models available in the German market.

Asus, one of AMD’s closest partners in the notebook space, is the first to offer two Ryzen AI 300-powered models, the Vivobook S 16 OLED and Zenbook S 16, through its own webshop. Other manufacturers, such as Lenovo and Dell, have yet to announce any models, and their absence was notable during AMD’s presentation at the IT-Messe Computex.

The lack of availability is particularly puzzling given that AMD had previously announced that notebooks with the 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and the 10-core Ryzen AI 9 365 would be available starting from July 15. However, it seems that these models have been pushed back to August or even September, with some manufacturers citing supply chain issues as the reason for the delay.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that there are currently no immediate price comparisons available in the German market, leaving potential buyers in a state of uncertainty. This lack of transparency is particularly concerning given that Intel’s CPU family Lunar Lake, which is designed for compact notebooks and features four performance and efficiency cores, is set to launch in September.

While AMD has taken its time to launch the Ryzen AI 300 processors, its competitor Qualcomm has been aggressively pushing its Snapdragon X series and Windows on ARM platform as a more affordable alternative for notebooks. However, with the Ryzen AI 300, AMD appears to be trying to offer a powerful and feature-rich solution that can compete with these offerings.

The slow rollout of the Ryzen AI 300 processors could be attributed to a variety of factors, including supply chain issues, manufacturing delays, or simply a more cautious approach to product launches. However, it is clear that AMD needs to step up its game and deliver more concrete information about the availability and pricing of these processors to avoid losing momentum in the market.

In conclusion, while the Ryzen AI 300 processors show great promise for delivering powerful performance and advanced AI capabilities in notebooks, the slow rollout and lack of transparency in the German market are cause for concern. AMD needs to take a more proactive approach to address these issues and ensure that its products are available to consumers as soon as possible.

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Are you looking for a sample Sentinel workspace and instance to train someone on the tool? If so, you’re in luck! I have some suggestions that may help.

Firstly, it’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to finding a suitable sample workspace and instance for training purposes. However, there are a few resources that you can explore to get started:

1. Microsoft provides a free Sentinel trial instance that you can use for training purposes. This trial instance includes a pre-configured workspace with some default rules and incidents already set up. You can access the trial instance by signing up for a Microsoft Azure account and then following these steps:

2. Sentinel Community provides a sample workspace that you can use for training purposes. This sample workspace includes a set of pre-configured rules and incidents that you can use as a starting point for your own training exercises. You can access the sample workspace by joining the Sentinel Community here:

3. Azure Events provides a list of upcoming events related to Sentinel, including webinars, tutorials, and other training resources. You can explore these events to find ones that are relevant to your training needs. For example, there is an upcoming webinar on “Getting Started with Sentinel” on October 03, 2023, that may be helpful for beginners:

4. Finally, you can also reach out to the Sentinel community on social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Twitter to see if anyone has any sample workspaces or instances that they are willing to share.

When selecting a sample workspace and instance for training purposes, it’s important to consider the following factors:

1. Relevance: Make sure the sample workspace and instance are relevant to your training needs. For example, if you’re training on incident response, you’ll want a sample workspace that includes incidents related to that topic.

2. Complexity: Choose a sample workspace and instance that are complex enough to provide a challenging and realistic training experience, but not so complex that they become overwhelming.

3. Customization: Look for sample workspaces and instances that can be customized to fit your specific training needs. This may include the ability to add or remove rules, incidents, or other elements as needed.

4. Support: Consider the level of support provided by the creator of the sample workspace and instance. Will they be available to answer questions or provide assistance if you encounter issues during your training?

By exploring these resources and considering these factors, you should be able to find a suitable sample workspace and instance for your Sentinel training needs. Good luck!

As the popularity of mini PCs continues to grow, many home lab enthusiasts are looking for ways to house these small but powerful devices in a server rack. In this blog post, we’ll explore some options for mounting mini PCs in a server rack, including traditional server rack trays, purpose-built rack mounts, and even 3D printing your own hardware mounts.

Traditional Server Rack Trays

One of the most straightforward options for housing mini PCs in a server rack is to use a traditional server rack tray. These trays are simple shelves that bolt into the server rack with rack screws and provide a place to sit equipment that isn’t really rack mountable. This is what I am currently using in my home lab rack environment to house my Minisforum MS-01 and another mini PC.

Purpose-Built Rack Mounts

If you have different models of mini PCs, a traditional server rack tray may not be the best option for keeping things tidy and neat from a cabling perspective. In this case, purpose-built rack mounts for specific mini PC models or small form factor workstations may be a better choice. These rack mounts are designed specifically for your particular make and model of mini PC, providing a secure and organized installation.

3D Printed Hardware Mounts

For those who have experience with 3D printing, another option to consider is printing your own hardware mounts for specific types of hardware. A quick search on 3D printed designs for 19″ rack mount yields a lot of great results, including models for mini PCs like the Minisforum MS-01. This can be a cost-effective and customizable solution that allows you to create your own mounts specifically tailored to your needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many great options for rack mounting your mini PC in a server rack. These range from traditional server rack trays, purpose-built rack mounts for specific mini PC models or small form factor workstations, and even 3D printed hardware mounts. Depending on your specific needs and the type of mini PC you are using, one of these options may be a better fit for your home lab environment.

We would love to hear from you! What options have you used to house your mini PCs in your server rack? Have you tried any of the solutions we’ve discussed here? Let us know in the comments below!

VMworld Startup: Hivecell – Stackable Edge Computing

As I walked around the Solutions Exchange at VMworld, I couldn’t help but notice the various startups and partners showcasing their innovative solutions in the VMware ecosystem. Amidst the bustling crowd, one particular startup caught my attention – Hivecell.

Hivecell is a startup that offers stackable edge computing solutions, designed to provide a seamless extension of on-premises data centers to the cloud. The company’s founders, who have extensive experience in the IT industry, recognized the growing need for a more agile and flexible approach to computing and set out to develop a solution that would address this need.

As I spoke with the Hivecell team, they explained how their solution enables organizations to deploy and manage applications at the edge of the network, closer to the source of data and closer to the end-user. This approach not only reduces latency and improves performance but also provides a more secure and reliable computing environment.

One of the key features of Hivecell’s solution is its ability to stack multiple edge computing nodes together, creating a powerful and scalable infrastructure that can support a wide range of applications and workloads. This approach eliminates the need for a centralized data center or cloud infrastructure, reducing costs and increasing agility.

The Hivecell team also highlighted their solution’s ability to integrate with existing VMware tools and technologies, such as vSphere and NSX. This integration enables organizations to leverage their existing investments in VMware technology while still benefiting from the advantages of edge computing.

I was impressed by the Hivecell team’s passion for their solution and their understanding of the challenges facing organizations in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. As a long-time advocate for innovation and disruption in the IT industry, I was excited to see a startup like Hivecell tackling these challenges head-on.

In conclusion, Hivecell is a VMworld startup that offers a unique approach to edge computing, providing organizations with a powerful and scalable infrastructure that can support a wide range of applications and workloads. With its ability to integrate with existing VMware technology and its focus on agility and flexibility, Hivecell is certainly a company to watch in the future of the IT industry.

Die Deutsche Telekom hat sich im Bereich Mobilfunk weiterentwickelt und bietet ihren Kunden ab sofort erheblich mehr Datenvolumen für die gleichen Preise. Mit dieser Neuheit will die Telekom ihre Kunden noch besser bedienen und sich von der Konkurrenz abheben.

Ab dem 1. August wird das Angebot der MagentaMobil-Tarife verdoppelt, was bedeutet, dass Kunden nun doppelt so viel Datenvolumen erhalten, ohne dass die Preise angehoben werden. Diese Verdopplung betrifft alle MagentaMobil-Tarife, einschließlich des neuen Einsteiger-Tarifs namens MagentaMobil Basic, der für 25 Euro im Monat 5 GByte Datenvolumen inklusive 5G und Gratis-Telefonie in alle deutschen Netze umfasst.

Ein weiterer Mehrwert für die Kunden ist die Verdopplung des Datenvolumens in den Ländergruppen 2 und 3, wie zum Beispiel der Türkei, den USA und Kanada. Diese Neuheit bietet den Telekom-Kunden eine höhere Flexibilität bei der Nutzung ihrer Mobilgeräte im Ausland.

Zusätzlich erhalten MagentaEins-Kunden, die einen Mobilvertrag und einen Festnetzvertrag der Telekom kombinieren, einen neuen Benefit: In der “Mobile Happy Hour” steht täglich eine Stunde unbegrenztes Datenvolumen zur Verfügung. Wer auch den IPTV-Dienst MagentaTV gebucht hat, bekommt täglich zwei Stunden Happy Hour. Der MagentaMobil-Vertrag L ist ausgenommen, da MagentaEins-Kunden mit diesem Tarif ohnehin unbegrenztes Datenvolumen nutzen können.

Außerdem verbessert die Telekom das Roaming-Angebot nach dem Ausland. Mit dem Start der verbesserten Mobilfunktarife werden Telefonate ins Nicht-EU-Ausland günstiger, pauschal nur noch 29 Cent pro Minute.

Insgesamt bietet die Deutsche Telekom mit diesen Neuheiten eine kompakte und attraktive Auswahl an Mobilfunk-Tarifen, die ihre Kunden noch besser bedienen und sich von der Konkurrenz abheben. Mit diesen Verdopplungen und Verbesserungen bleibt die Telekom auf dem guten Weg, ihre Position im Markt zu festigen und die Kundenzufriedenheit zu erhöhen.

As an expert in the field of Exchange Server management, I have come across a situation where a user has been removed from multiple Exchange 2019 on-prem distribution lists. The removal was done from Active Directory and not via the Exchange Admin Center or Shell. The user who made the change is now looking for a way to reverse it.

Before we dive into resolving the issue, let’s take a look at why this happened in the first place. Removing a user from an distribution list can be a deliberate action, but it can also happen accidentally due to a misclick or a mistake in the Active Directory Users and Computers console. In this case, the user was removed from multiple lists, which suggests that the removal was done intentionally, but without proper planning and testing, it has caused unintended consequences.

When a user is removed from an distribution list, it can cause disruptions to the normal functioning of the Exchange environment. The user may no longer receive emails sent to the distribution list, and other users who rely on the list for communication may also be affected. In this case, the removal of the user from multiple lists has likely caused widespread disruptions to the organization’s email communication.

To resolve this issue, we need to first identify the logs that record changes made to distribution lists in Active Directory. The Event Viewer is a powerful tool for troubleshooting and auditing system events, including changes made to distribution lists. We can use the Event Viewer to look for any log entries related to the removal of the user from the distribution lists.

One way to do this is by following these steps:

1. Open the Event Viewer on your Active Directory domain controller.

2. In the left-hand navigation pane, expand the “System” category and click on “Event Logs”.

3. Scroll down and select the “Directory Services” log.

4. Look for any log entries related to the removal of the user from the distribution lists. These logs will typically be recorded under the “Access” or “Changes” category.

5. Take note of the log entry ID, timestamp, and the user who made the change. This information can be useful in tracking down the exact changes that were made.

Once we have identified the relevant log entries, we can use this information to reverse the changes made to the distribution lists. Here are some possible steps to take:

1. Use the Event Viewer to locate the log entry ID and timestamp of the change made to the distribution list.

2. Open the Active Directory Users and Computers console and navigate to the user account that was removed from the distribution list.

3. Check the “Member Of” tab to ensure that the user is no longer listed as a member of the distribution lists.

4. Right-click on the user account and select “Properties”.

5. In the “Property” window, click on the “Memberships” tab and look for any remaining membership in the distribution lists. If the user is still listed as a member of any of the distribution lists, remove their membership by selecting the “Remove” option.

6. Close the Property window and exit the Active Directory Users and Computers console.

By following these steps, we can reverse the changes made to the distribution lists and restore the user’s membership to the lists. It is important to note that this process may take some time, depending on the number of distribution lists affected and the size of your organization’s Active Directory environment.

In conclusion, removing a user from multiple Exchange 2019 on-prem distribution lists can cause unintended consequences and disruptions to the normal functioning of the Exchange environment. To resolve this issue, we need to identify the relevant log entries recorded in the Event Viewer and use this information to reverse the changes made to the distribution lists. By following these steps, we can restore the user’s membership to the lists and prevent any further disruptions to the organization’s email communication.

Infrastructure Self-Service with Project Pacific: Empowering DevOps and Cloud-Native Applications

In the latest release of vSphere, Project Pacific has introduced a game-changing feature that empowers developers and IT teams to manage both VMs and containers side-by-side in the same vCenter. This native integration of Kubernetes into vSphere brings forth a new era of infrastructure self-service, enabling DevOps and cloud-native applications to thrive in a hybrid cloud environment.

In this blog post, we’ll delve deeper into the implications of this exciting development and explore how it can benefit your organization. We’ll discuss the two types of Kubernetes clusters that now run natively in vSphere, as well as the benefits of using Project Pacific to manage your hybrid cloud infrastructure.

Native Integration of Kubernetes into vSphere

With Project Pacific, Kubernetes is now a native part of vSphere, allowing you to manage both VMs and containers side-by-side in the same vCenter. This means that you can use the same tools and processes to manage your hybrid cloud infrastructure, regardless of whether you’re running VMs or containers.

There are two types of Kubernetes clusters that now run natively in vSphere:

1. Supervisor Kubernetes Cluster: This type of cluster is ideal for running stateful applications that require persistent storage and high availability.

2. Node Kubernetes Cluster: This type of cluster is perfect for running stateless applications that require lightweight, ephemeral containers.

Benefits of Infrastructure Self-Service with Project Pacific

The native integration of Kubernetes into vSphere brings forth numerous benefits for your organization, including:

1. Empowering DevOps and Cloud-Native Applications: With Project Pacific, developers can now easily spin up and manage both VMs and containers side-by-side in the same vCenter. This enables them to build, test, and deploy cloud-native applications more quickly and efficiently.

2. Hybrid Cloud Flexibility: By integrating Kubernetes into vSphere, you can now easily manage your hybrid cloud infrastructure across multiple environments, including on-premises data centers, public clouds, and edge computing.

3. Simplified Management: With Project Pacific, you can use the same tools and processes to manage both VMs and containers, simplifying your infrastructure management and reducing costs.

4. Enhanced Security: Kubernetes provides built-in security features such as network policies, secret management, and role-based access control, which help protect your applications and data from unauthorized access.

5. Improved Resource Utilization: Kubernetes enables you to optimize resource utilization across your hybrid cloud infrastructure, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

Conclusion

Infrastructure self-service with Project Pacific is a game-changer for organizations looking to empower DevOps and cloud-native applications. By integrating Kubernetes into vSphere, you can now easily manage both VMs and containers side-by-side in the same vCenter, simplifying your infrastructure management and improving resource utilization.

With Project Pacific, you can unlock the full potential of your hybrid cloud infrastructure and drive innovation across your organization. So why wait? Start exploring the benefits of infrastructure self-service with Project Pacific today!

GitLab: Revolutionizing Software Security at Black Hat USA 2024

As the cybersecurity industry gears up for Black Hat USA 2024, GitLab is poised to make a significant impact with its AI-powered DevSecOps platform. The event, taking place August 3-8, 2024, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, brings together some of the brightest minds in the industry to share their latest research and innovations. GitLab is returning for its third year at Black Hat, and the company is eager to showcase its latest features and capabilities.

Julie Davila, GitLab’s Director of Product Marketing, sat down with VMblog to discuss the company’s plans for Black Hat and the future of software security. “At GitLab, we believe that relationships grounded in trust and transparency are essential for fostering resilience in an era marked by increasing complexity, risk, and change,” she said.

Davila highlighted three critical components within their software build environments that organizations must focus on to enhance their defenses and reduce the time it takes to recover from the next cyber attack: visibility, governance, and continuous deployment. “Software security is a critical focus in cybersecurity,” she emphasized. “Organizations must now clearly articulate their security posture and how they protect customers from threats.”

One of the significant challenges organizations face is the proliferation of open-source libraries, which can introduce vulnerabilities into the software supply chain. GitLab’s recent release of its 8th annual Global DevSecOps Report found that only 21% of organizations are currently using a software bill of materials (SBOM) to document the composition of their software, leaving a significant portion of their codebase unaccounted for.

To address these challenges, GitLab has been investing heavily in AI-powered features that automate security processes, enabling developers to create more secure code without disrupting their workflow. “AI can help developers work more efficiently while creating more secure code,” Davila said. The company recently released new features in GitLab Duo, their AI assistant, that automatically detects and resolves vulnerabilities when they are found.

At Black Hat, GitLab will be showcasing its DevSecOps platform, including its AI-powered features, and hosting a variety of sessions and activities for attendees. “We’re excited to introduce sessions with a birds-of-a-feather format,” Davila said. “These informal roundtable discussions allow industry professionals to engage deeply in specific areas of interest, fostering knowledge sharing and community building.”

The company will also be giving away branded luggage tags, bottle openers, ankle socks, stickers, and plushies at their booth (#2915), making for a fun and engaging experience for attendees.

As the cybersecurity industry continues to evolve, GitLab is leading the charge in software security with its AI-powered DevSecOps platform. Attendees at Black Hat USA 2024 would do well to keep an eye on this innovative company and its cutting-edge solutions.

Troubleshooting Outlook: Where is the Tool Menu?

As a frequent user of Microsoft Outlook, I have become accustomed to using the tool menu to access various settings and features within the application. However, recently I encountered an issue where the tool menu was nowhere to be found. In this blog post, I will discuss the steps I took to troubleshoot the problem and the solution I ultimately discovered.

The Issue: No Tool Menu

One day, when I attempted to open Outlook, I noticed that the tool menu was not visible on the login page. I tried accessing the menu by clicking on the settings icon in the upper right corner, but it did not work. Additionally, when I tried opening Outlook through the App launcher, the application only opened the email page instead of displaying the tool menu. This was a problem because I needed to access some settings and features that are only accessible through the tool menu.

Troubleshooting Steps

To troubleshoot the issue, I followed these steps:

1. Checked for updates: The first thing I did was check for any updates to Outlook. I opened the Microsoft Store and checked for any available updates. There were no updates available, so I proceeded with the next step.

2. Restarted Outlook: Sometimes, simply restarting the application can resolve issues. I closed Outlook and reopened it to see if that would fix the problem. However, the tool menu was still not visible.

3. Checked for conflicts with other applications: Sometimes, conflicts with other applications can cause issues with Outlook. I checked for any conflicts with other applications that might be causing the issue. I also tried uninstalling and reinstalling Outlook to see if that would resolve the problem.

4. Checked system settings: I also checked my system settings to ensure that they were not causing the issue. I checked the display settings, font sizes, and other settings to see if any of them were interfering with Outlook’s functionality.

5. Consulted online resources: Finally, I consulted online resources to see if anyone else had experienced a similar issue. I searched for solutions on Microsoft’s support website and other online forums.

The Solution

After following these troubleshooting steps, I discovered that the solution to the problem was to access Outlook through the Microsoft Office suite. To do this, I clicked on the Start menu and selected Microsoft Office. This opened the Office dashboard, where I could access Outlook and all of its features, including the tool menu.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are experiencing issues with the tool menu in Outlook, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem. These include checking for updates, restarting Outlook, checking for conflicts with other applications, checking system settings, and consulting online resources. Additionally, you may need to access Outlook through the Microsoft Office suite to access all of its features. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve any issues you may be experiencing with the tool menu in Outlook.