To export a virtual machine from the VCSA you can use either VCSA client (HTML5 or Flex). Since neither of these methods is reliable enough, you can export it using PowerCLI and PowerShell interface on your PC or MAC. In this example I will use a virtual machine named v-srv01. Please note that export VM function is available only in commercial versions of ESXi server and any version of VCSA. Continue reading “How to export VMware virtual machine from ESXi or VCSA using PowerCLI”
Both parent and child virtual disks are root links – error while powering the VM
In the variety of different errors related to VM snapshots, while powering up a VM, this one is nowhere described. The VMware article KB 1007969 covers most of the similar errors and symptoms. However, the recovery procedure is more or less the same. I will cover simple 2 minutes solution that will get you up and running. Continue reading “Both parent and child virtual disks are root links – error while powering the VM”
How to configure syslog options from ESXi command line
If you prefer to configure syslog options using ESXi command line, you can do it using the following esxcli commands: Continue reading “How to configure syslog options from ESXi command line”
ESXi syslog – A general system error occurred: Internal error
I’ve run into this error a few times now while configuring syslog settings on an ESXi server. Since there is not much description, one does not know where to look for a solution. This error can appear regardless if one is using local datastore or remote log host. There is, however, a hidden log file that holds descriptive error regarding problems with the syslog settings. Continue reading “ESXi syslog – A general system error occurred: Internal error”
7 important configuration files on ESXi server
Here is the first of the articles in “7” series. These articles will cover 7 important configuration files on an ESXi server, 7 useful troubleshooting commands, 7 tools to monitor core ESXi performance and 7 useful log files that can help you.
Today I will cover 7 important configuration files on an ESXi server. Please remember to take backup of any configuration files before changing any settings within the file!
- /etc/vmware/esx.conf – This file holds information about sotrage, network and hardware.
- /etc/vmware/hostd/vmInventory.xml – Virtual machine inventory list update on the ESXi server.
- /etc/vmware/hostd/authorization.xml – This file holds authorization for connection between ESXi server and vCenter server
- /etc/vmware/vpxa/vpxa.cfg – Connectivity configuration for ESXi server and vCenter server
- /etc/vmware/vmkiscsid/iscsid.conf – iSCSI configuration file
- /etc/vmware/fdm – FDM configuration with clusterconfig, host list and VM metadata
- /etc/vmware/license.cfg – License configuration file for ESXi server.
How to install async driver on ESXi 5.x and 6.x using esxcli and VIB file or offline bundle
Here I will show you how to install async driver on ESXi 5.x and 6.x using esxcli and VIB file or offline bundle. The same task can be accomplished using GUI and VMware Update Manager, but this will be covered in one of the future how-tos. Continue reading “How to install async driver on ESXi 5.x and 6.x using esxcli and VIB file or offline bundle”
How to build latest VMware ESXi ISO image for Intel NUC 4th generation
When it comes to building cheap and reliable home lab Intel NUC computers are huge success. Their low power consumption and small footprint makes them perfect for almost any kind of home lab, including building a VSAN lab. Recently I ran into the issue where I needed an additional network card for my NUC. I needed to transfer vCenter server from iSCSI storage, to a VSAN datastore on the same host. Continue reading “How to build latest VMware ESXi ISO image for Intel NUC 4th generation”
How to use vCenter web client to intuitively set flash and capacity tier tags
vCenter web client 6 offers now the ability to set flash and capacity tier tags for all flash storage options for VSAN. If you use ESXi Embeded Host Client, you can even use Partition Editor to clear partition table/delete existing partitions on the disk(s). Continue reading “How to use vCenter web client to intuitively set flash and capacity tier tags”
All Flash vSAN – How to tag an SSD disk as storage tier
Traditional vSAN is the combination of cache component based on flash storage and capacity layer based usually on traditional magnetic disks. Since v6.0, vSAN supports All Flash storage. In other words, both the caching and the storage layer can be made up from flash based storage, like SSD is. Here I will cover how to use the command line to perform device tagging. For GUI version, please refer to the article in the section Related Posts on the bottom of this page. Continue reading “All Flash vSAN – How to tag an SSD disk as storage tier”
How to change disk type presentation in VMware ESXi server
Since vSAN does not support SSD disk as data disk, you will need to change how disks are presented in VMware ESXi server, if you run on SSD disks only. Remember that best practice for vSAN is that SSD cache is 10% of the total data disks capacity. In order to change disk presentation, log-in to your VMware ESXi server via SSH and list all of your local disks using the following command: Continue reading “How to change disk type presentation in VMware ESXi server”