As a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of experience in the field, I have encountered my fair share of disk consolidation and snapshot removal issues. In this blog post, I will shed some light on how to clean up these situations as quickly as possible, and what you can do when vCenter is screaming about the need for virtual machine disk consolidation.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that disk consolidation and snapshot removal are not instantaneous processes. These tasks can take a significant amount of time, depending on the size of the disks and snapshots involved. As a rough estimate, you can expect the process to take around one hour per terabyte (TB) of disk capacity. So, if you have a 49TB disk, as I once did, be prepared for a wait of over two days!

Before we dive into the cleanup process, it’s essential to understand that consolidation and snapshot removal can usually be run in any VM power state. However, if the VM is powered on, the process will take longer due to constant OS disk I/O traffic interfering with the removal/consolidation task. Therefore, if you want to speed up the process, it’s best to power down the VM before starting the cleanup.

Now, let’s talk about the cleanup process itself. The first step is to remove any orphaned snapshots that are causing issues. To do this, simply right-click on the VM in vCenter and select “Edit virtual machine.” Then, click on the “Configure” button next to the “Snapshots” section and select “Remove all snapshots.”

Once you’ve removed any orphaned snapshots, it’s time to start the disk consolidation process. To do this, right-click on the VM in vCenter and select “Edit virtual machine.” Then, click on the “Configure” button next to the “Disks” section and select “Consolidate all disks.”

Please note that there is no specific control tool for the consolidation process, and once it’s started, it cannot be stopped. Theoretically, you can kill/restart the management services, but this will likely leave the disk in a corrupted state, which will be an enormous pain to fix. Therefore, it’s essential to have patience and let the process finish when it’s done.

In conclusion, disk consolidation and snapshot removal can be time-consuming processes, but they are essential for maintaining a healthy and efficient virtual infrastructure. By understanding how these processes work and how to run them effectively, you can keep your VMs running smoothly and avoid any potential issues that may arise.

As an IT professional with over 20 years of experience, I have had the pleasure of working with VMware products for a significant portion of my career. My journey with VMware began with ESX 1.5.x, and I have been involved in the vExpert community since 2018. As a vExpert Pro since 2020, I have had the opportunity to work with various VMware products and explore their capabilities.

In my lab environment, I have several servers, including 3 Dell T130 and 5 older IBM x3250 servers. These servers are built with maximum memory available, with 64 GB for the Dell servers and 32 GB for the IBM servers. This approach was adopted from an early time in virtualization, where I learned that CPU is not as important as memory for most use cases.

The network in my lab consists of Cisco Catalyst switches (3750x), Cisco Routers (800 Series), and a SoHo FortiGate firewall. Storage is made up of Synology boxes hooked up as iSCSI devices, as well as internal SSDs on the Dell servers. This setup allows me to have a fully functional lab environment for testing and experimenting with various VMware products.

Currently, my lab environment consists of three Dell servers, one Catalyst switch for networking traffic, and a second Catalyst switch for storage traffic. This setup is intentional, as it allows me to restart the normal network without impacting the whole lab. The three Dell servers host various VMware products such as vROps clusters, Windows Servers for AD, Log Insight server, vRA 7.6, and a few other bips and bops.

However, I have been thinking about expanding my setup to include more sites and use cases. One idea I have considered is adding two more sites using the old IBM servers, which are still supported by VMware with ESXI 6.7u2. This would allow me to explore SRM and remote collectors for vROps, as well as deploy NSX-T.

Another idea I have considered is reconfiguring my current three Dell servers and the network topology. I could add a connection to where the IBM servers are located using Devolo power over Ethernet adapters. This would allow me to simulate interim power site failures in my home lab and test SRM across multiple sites.

Additionally, I could split the five IBM servers into a second management cluster, which would allow me to run SRM across both clusters. This setup would also enable me to explore other use cases such as payload clustering for VRA or deploying NSX-T.

Overall, my lab environment is currently well-suited to my needs, but I am excited about the possibilities of expanding it to include more sites and use cases. As an IT professional, I believe that experimentation and exploration are essential to staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and advancements in the field.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog post, and I encourage you to subscribe to my blog for more updates and insights into my lab environment and VMware products. Thank you for reading!

Demystifying the World of Virtualization and Technology: My Journey to Passing the Azure Fundamentals Exam

As a professional working in the virtualization and technology industry, I have always been driven to stay ahead of the curve and continuously develop my skills. In the midst of the pandemic lockdown period, I decided to take on a new challenge – learning about Microsoft’s Azure public cloud platform. Despite having no prior experience with Microsoft study materials, I was able to pass the Azure Fundamentals exam after just two days of studying using free resources available online.

My journey began with Satya Nadella’s book “Hit Refresh,” which emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset and learning it all. This motivated me to take on this new challenge, and I was determined to succeed. To prepare for the exam, I used several free resources that I found very helpful in giving me a solid grounding in Azure. These included:

Official Microsoft Learning Resources with AZ900 learning path:

Tim Warner’s YouTube channel:

Skylines Academy AZ900 Study Guide:

Skylines Academy AZ900 Course:

These resources provided a comprehensive overview of the Azure platform, covering topics such as computing, storage, networking, and security. I found that the Official Microsoft Learning Resources were particularly helpful in providing a structured learning path, while Tim Warner’s YouTube channel offered clear and concise explanations of key concepts. The Skylines Academy resources provided a more detailed understanding of Azure, and their study guide and course were instrumental in helping me prepare for the exam.

Taking the exam was a surreal experience – it had been nearly seven years since I last studied for an IT-related certification, and I was worried that my memory and understanding of concepts might be rusty. However, with the help of these resources, I was able to pass the exam with flying colors.

I am not advocating one cloud or another, but having a basic knowledge of public cloud can be incredibly valuable in today’s technology landscape. It allows you to have an intelligent conversation with peers, customers, partners, and even the average consumer looking to understand what cloud can offer. In my role, I work exclusively with VMware software, but understanding Azure has given me a new perspective on public cloud and how it can benefit my organization and clients.

In conclusion, passing the Azure Fundamentals exam was an incredible experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to learn something new. I encourage anyone interested in public cloud to take advantage of these free resources and take the exam. With a growth mindset and dedication, you too can “learn it all” and succeed in the world of virtualization and technology.

Demystifying the World of Virtualization and Technology: vRetreat Event Review

As a technology enthusiast, I was thrilled to attend the latest vRetreat event, which brought together some of the best minds in the virtualization and technology community. Despite the challenges posed by the current climate, the event still managed to deliver an engaging and informative experience for all attendees.

The event kicked off with a panel discussion featuring a group of bloggers, including yours truly, who shared their insights on various technology vendors. We were joined by a diverse group of delegates from the vCommunity, making for a lively and interactive experience.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation by Zerto, a company that has been around for several years and has established itself as a leader in disaster recovery for virtual environments. Their latest offering, Zerto 8, brings a lot more to the table, including support for Google Cloud, expanded offerings, and on-demand labs for further exploration. It was interesting to see how the company has reinvented itself to tackle the ever-growing data protection landscape, embracing cloud and expanding its offerings.

Next up were Kemp, who focused on their core strength: load balancing. As a specialist in this space, Kemp offers a lot of value for users looking for high availability and scalability. We were taken through several scenarios where Kemp works with the Horizon UAG (Unified Access Gateway) and how different scenarios can be adopted using Kemp as the front end for traffic. The presenter, Frank Yue, was keen to point out that Kemp’s focus on load balancing sets them apart from other vendors who try to tackle multiple features.

I was impressed by the passion exhibited by both presenters and the panelists, and the fact that they could communicate their value propositions so effectively. It was also great to see collaboration tools being used to make the event a success, despite the need for a virtual event instead of a face-to-face one.

In conclusion, the vRetreat event was an excellent experience that provided valuable insights into the world of virtualization and technology. Both Zerto and Kemp showcased their offerings and demonstrated why they are leaders in their respective spaces. I look forward to attending more events like this in the future, hopefully face-to-face instead of virtual!

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Demystifying the World of Virtualisation & Technology

I am thrilled to share that I have been selected as a vExpert for the seventh consecutive year! This program, run by VMware, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the virtualization and cloud computing community.

As I reflect on this achievement, I am filled with gratitude and admiration for the vCommunity as a whole. The program has evolved significantly over the years, and it’s heartening to see how far it has come. I have huge respect for those in their 12th year of being recognized, as well as for the first-timers who showed determination and went through the application process.

For me, being a vExpert means more than just a badge of honor. It is a symbol of my commitment to sharing knowledge and helping others understand the VMware technology ecosystem. In 2020, I plan to continue doing what I love – evangelizing and educating the community on the latest advancements in virtualization and cloud computing.

One of the aspects that sets this program apart is the access to a vast network of experts across multiple domains. This is something that I leverage constantly, and it makes this experience truly unique. The vCommunity is a treasure trove of knowledge, and being part of it has many advantages.

To those who didn’t make the cut this year, I urge you to seek out your vExpert PROs, who can help with your application criteria and provide guidance. Don’t give up! Keep contributing, learning, and growing, and one day, you too will wake up to the surprise email.

Being part of this community has taught me that success is not just about individual achievements but also about the collective efforts of the group. It is a collaborative effort to demystify the world of virtualization and technology, making it more accessible and understandable for everyone.

So, if you’re new to the vCommunity or are looking to get involved, know that there’s always room for growth and learning. The resources and support are abundant, and the community is welcoming and inclusive. Don’t hesitate to reach out, ask questions, and share your knowledge with others.

Thank you to the VMware community management team for their tireless efforts in managing this program and fostering a vibrant community. Here’s to another exciting year of innovation, collaboration, and growth!

Demystifying the World of Virtualization and Technology: A Journey to Better Productivity and Work-Life Balance

As a technology blogger, I have been exploring various topics related to virtualization and technology. However, in recent times, I have found myself drawn to non-tech related subjects and practices that help me maintain a healthy work-life balance. In this blog post, I would like to share some suggestions on how you can create and adapt your own framework for better productivity and well-being.

The book that has had the most significant impact on my perspective is “Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod. This book provides an insightful look into how you can influence and change your day ahead by adopting various strategies to help you keep in balance and positive throughout the day. While I do not follow everything in the book to the letter, I have implemented various routines that have become habits over time.

One of the most important routines I have incorporated is regular exercise. I started with cycling for 15-20 minutes every day, and now I have expanded it to include other forms of exercise such as yoga and weightlifting. Exercise has been shown to release certain chemicals in the brain that help you feel more alert and focused throughout the day.

Another routine that has been beneficial for me is meditation. As a skeptic, I had previously tried meditation but failed to make it a regular part of my routine. However, after investing in an app like Calm, I have noticed a positive change in my brain, attitude, and stress levels. Meditation helps you clear your mind and focus on the present moment, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

In addition to exercise and meditation, there are other habits that can help improve your productivity and well-being. For example, setting aside time each day to plan out your tasks and prioritize your work can help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, taking breaks throughout the day to stretch or move around can help increase blood flow and reduce eye strain.

Creating a framework for better productivity and well-being is a journey, not a quick fix. It takes time and effort to develop new habits and make them a part of your daily routine. However, if you are looking for a new perspective on life and want to prevent stress and burnout at work, then minor lifestyle changes can be a step in the right direction.

As I continue to learn and read more about effective productivity and work-life balance, I will share my thoughts on my blog. I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can help others who are struggling to find a healthy balance between their work and personal lives.

In conclusion, creating and adapting your own framework for better productivity and well-being requires effort and dedication. However, the benefits of improved focus, reduced stress, and increased overall well-being make it a journey worth taking. I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can inspire others to start their own journey towards a healthier work-life balance.

Demystifying the World of Virtualization and Technology: My Journey and New Role at Dell EMC

As a technology enthusiast and advocate, I am thrilled to share my journey and new role at Dell EMC. With the recent merger between Dell and EMC, I knew it was the perfect time to expand my sphere of influence and continue developing my brand both internally and externally. My passion for virtualization and technology has only grown stronger over the years, and I am excited to take on a new role that will allow me to make a more focussed impact on how the software-defined era will shape businesses of tomorrow.

My journey with EMC began three years ago, after coming from a background as a datacenter customer for many years. With extensive experience in virtualization, Microsoft applications, and various other tech areas, I was eager to join a vendor that could offer me the opportunity to explore new horizons and make a real difference. The intrigue of working for a vendor was always there, but I never had the courage to make the move until the right role presented itself. Now, three years later, I am still enjoying the world of presales and solving customer challenges.

Having been exposed to many varying types of customer conversations and having the opportunity to travel globally has allowed me to meet people both internally and externally, fitting my profile perfectly. I have always enjoyed having different conversations with varying job roles at the other end. The pillars of digital transformation are strong, and I remain very close to them. In fact, my new role will be focussed on the synergy between VMware and Dell EMC for enterprise customers in the UK and Ireland. As an enabler for both my colleagues and customers, I will help them understand the full value of the synergistic nature of the relationship from both a technical and business perspective.

The software-defined datacenter and hybrid cloud represent the essential building blocks for companies to expand and grow in the digital age. I have always known that I wanted to play my part in this journey, and now is the perfect time. With 2019 being the year of realization that organizations need to rationalize the amount of vendors they have to deal with and ensure they have a consistent and dependable technology vendor to depend on, I have placed my big bet on this. Organizations are also seizing the opportunity to be more agile in the datacenter, and I am eager to help them achieve their objectives.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends, colleagues, and managers who have helped me on my career path so far. I will continue to be a strong advocate for software-defined technology adoption as the weeks and months pass by. If you are interested in learning more about how the VMware portfolio on Dell EMC can help transform your life and business objectives of tomorrow, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am always here to help.

I invite you to join me on this exciting journey as we embark on a new era of technology and virtualization. Together, we can make a real difference and shape the future of businesses. Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey and new role at Dell EMC. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Sanjay Poonen, the co-founder and CEO of VMware, recently hosted a keynote address at an event for technology enthusiasts. The main focus of his presentation was on the company’s accomplishments in the field of virtualization over the past decade and its potential for future growth.

Poonen highlighted several key aspects of the corporation’s success, including innovation and customer satisfaction. He emphasized that these two factors are essential to achieving high growth and a powerful story. To illustrate this point, he discussed Skyline, a project aimed at providing customers with a proactive approach to supporting their essential infrastructure. The economic impact of this project has been significant over the last ten years, as evidenced by the company’s impressive revenue growth.

Poonen then shifted his attention to the cost savings associated with software-defined storage and networking. He presented a compelling “killer slide” that showcased the economic benefits of adopting a hybrid cloud model. This approach allows companies to take advantage of both on-premises infrastructure and cloud services, depending on their needs.

Next, Poonen shared some customer stories, including those from Vodafone and Rentokil. Vodafone discussed the progress they have made in implementing network function virtualization (NFV) and their ongoing research in the field of 5G technology. Rentokil, on the other hand, spoke about their use of Workspace One, a digital workspace solution that has significantly improved their mobile device management capabilities.

Poonen then brought in customers who have been focused on EUC (End-User Computing) solutions to discuss their experiences with Horizon and Airwatch deployments. The NHS Christie Group was the first to share their story, highlighting the critical importance of secure data access for healthcare professionals. Airbus followed with a case study of swapping out a fleet of BlackBerries using the power of Workspace One.

The event also featured an interview with Aaron Buley, who leads the Dell EMC HCI Technology Engineering team. In this segment, Poonen discussed the importance of community to him, Brian Graf, and Gina Minks. Finally, he took part in the vExpert Daily Panel, which can be viewed here.

Overall, Sanjay Poonen’s keynote address provided valuable insights into VMware’s accomplishments and future plans. The event offered a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from industry leaders and share their experiences with one another.

Demystifying the World of Virtualization and Technology: VMware’s Latest Innovations

The annual VMware event was a thrilling experience for me as a technology blogger. This year, I had the privilege of attending the opening keynote and speaking with some fellow bloggers and industry experts. Jean-Pierre Brulard, the CEO of VMware, kicked off the event by announcing that there were 12,000 attendees this year, a record number.

Pat Gelsinger, the CEO of VMware, took the stage to discuss the company’s vision for the future of technology. He emphasized that disruption is happening year after year, but businesses are still doing well by focusing on making profits. However, he also pointed out that there are still gaps in the IT silos that need to be bridged.

One of the key areas of focus for VMware is cloud computing. The company announced a new VMware Cloud Provider program, which has tripled in size over the past year. Additionally, Pat highlighted the importance of security in the technology industry and emphasized that security should be at the heart of every technology conversation.

Another significant announcement was the acquisition of Heptio, which will accelerate the adoption of Kubernetes across the enterprise. VMware also introduced a new offering called VMware Cloud PKS, which allows VMware to run the PKS environment on AWS.

The event also showcased some impressive demos, including one that demonstrated how AppDefense learns the behavior of a VM through machine learning. This creates an application behavior map, allowing the policy to lock down the application by the trusted ruleset. Another demo showed how Project Dimension offers a fully managed SDDC service from VMware that can be hosted on-premises and at edge locations.

Overall, the event provided valuable insights into the latest innovations in virtualization and technology. With its focus on cloud computing, security, and Kubernetes, VMware is well-positioned to continue leading the industry in the years to come. As a technology blogger, I am excited to see how these developments will shape the future of our industry.

Demystifying the World of Virtualization and Technology

As I arrived on Sunday for the vForum event, I was greeted with a smooth logistical process from start to finish. The evening was filled with meeting up with friends and customers at the vRockstar event, which is always a great way to connect with like-minded individuals from various backgrounds. Monday was all about TAM day and Partner day, where I attended a VMUG session focused on Dell EMC and VMware HCI offerings, as well as a captivating session by Brian Graf covering VMware Cloud on AWS.

The session hosted by Paul Mackay (EMEA CTO for Modern Data Center team) focused on HCI, specifically the use cases and outcomes that customers are asking for. He was assisted by Steffen Matthias, who covered the technical aspects of Dell EMC HCI solutions, and this was well received by the audience. It was a frank and informal discussion, and I felt that this is what customers want – to hear from vendors on how to get to the software-defined data center and eventually hybrid cloud.

The rest of the day was spent networking with my customers and talking to the various VMware staff and old acquaintances at the various booths about the new themes this year. The next few days are bound to be hectic with a lot of announcements and some interesting sessions, so I will give you my take on these as we go along with the event.

Overall, the vForum event is shaping up to be an exciting and informative experience, with a focus on demystifying the world of virtualization and technology. With a lineup of captivating sessions, networking opportunities, and announcements from leading vendors, this event is not to be missed for anyone interested in the latest trends and innovations in the tech industry.

I will continue to provide updates throughout the event, so be sure to stay tuned for more insights and takeaways from the world of virtualization and technology. And if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to my blog for the latest news, reviews, and analysis on all things tech.