Archive for the ‘Virtual Server Technology’ Category
Quick Tip: Quick and Dirty on When You Should Use Hyper-V Snapshots/Checkpoints.
You should create a snapshot, or checkpoint (as they are called in System Center Virtual Machine Manager), right before you make any known change to your VM that would require some sort of system or application restore if the configuration, patch or application upgrade went wrong.
Snapshots are a recovery point that saves the state, data and hardware configuration of a VM. Now, With Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012, the creation and deletion of a snapshot happens without VM downtime. The process can be scripted, but it is most commonly done manually, either by an application owner or by a virtualization system administrator, before any changes are made to the VM. These types of snapshots are different from conventional host-level backups of VMs, but use the same underlying VSS Hyper-V Writer, which is installed when you enable the Hyper-V role, to prepare (quiesce) the memory and I/O state of the VM, in order to precisely capture its state at that moment. However, the outcome of these two processes differs.
When you create a snapshot… Read the rest of the article HERE
Also see.. AVHD – WT…”A”?
TechNet Radio: ITProGuru vs. Hyper-V LIVE! (Part 2)
Part 2 of my chat with Dan Stolts (ITProGuru) and talk about the new LIVE features of Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 on Technet Radio/Channel 9.
More demos and banter below.
TechNet Radio: ITProGuru vs. Hyper-V Live (Part 2)
Demos include:
TechNet Radio: ITProGuru vs. Hyper-V LIVE! (Part 1)
I had a chance to sit down with Dan Stolts (ITProGuru) and talk about the new LIVE features of Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 on Technet Radio/Channel 9. The content comes from my recent session at the VirtG Boston Deep Dive Day 2013, Hyper-V LIVE!. Exciting features have emerged. Demos and banter are below.
TechNet Radio: ITProGuru vs. Hyper-V Live (Part 1)
Demos Include:
Here is the Channel 9 video location that has a nice outline of what we talked about as well as when the Demos start.
VirtG Boston Deep Dive Day 2013– Hyper-V LIVE!
I have been writing a little less these days and getting out on the road a little more. Here is my recent appearance at the VirtG Boston Deep Dive Day at the Microsoft Offices in Cambridge, MA going over the LIVE features of Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012. Lots of live demos of the new features.
This session will focus on all the new LIVE features of Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 with many live demos. Best practices from a Hyper-V expert and Microsoft MVP on how they should configured based on your hardware and network resources available will be included. Use of Hyper-V manager, System Center 2012 and PowerShell will all be part of this fast paced demo based session.
The following NEW Hyper-V features will be included:
· Live Add Memory
· Live Snapshot Merging
· Live Migration
· Multiple Live Migrations
· Cluster Node Live Evacuations
· Live Migration without Shared Storage
· Live Storage Migration
Check out the other sessions HERE on Vimeo.
Microsoft MVP for Virtual Machine HyperV
The email came in today for my second Microsoft MVP for Virtual Machine. It was a tough year to find time with the birth of twins last July bringing the kid total to 4, but I am certainly honored to be part of that community of professionals again. I hope to see you at various events throughout the year.
Recent Article: Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V missing features and potential fixes
Don’t get me wrong, Hyper-V within Windows Server 2012 includes some excellent additions. But, with every release, there are bound to be a few features that miss the cut. My recent article looks at a few of these features that I wish would have made it in.
“For all the new features and enhancements to Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V, the virtualization platform still has its shortcomings.
Having worked with Hyper-V since the early betas, I appreciate the speed at which Microsoft adds new features. With each Hyper-V release, however, I still see a few areas of improvement that could add key functionality and ease administration. Below, I look at three of these shortcomings in Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V and offer some practical fixes.
”
Part one of this two part series looks at the following shortcomings that I still believe exist.
1. Poor Quick Migration between hosts with different processor architectures
2. Inadequate Live/Quick Migration of VMs between different Hyper-V version
3. Imperfect hot-add memory allocation with a running VM
Read details of the article HERE
**TAKE THE POLL: At the end of each article, there is a poll. Are These Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V Shortcomings a Deal Breaker? Here are the current stats. Vote and give your feedback.
Recent Article: Ten Easy Ways to Extend Virtual Host Resources on the Cheap
These days, many IT professionals are asked to do more with less money, and increasing the efficiency of your virtual host resources may be the only answer in lean budgetary times. Luckily, there are numerous ways to squeeze more VMs into an existing infrastructure.
With that, here are 10 ways extend and expand virtual host resources on the cheap.
To see all the detail and my take in the article HERE.
1. Get lean
2. Shut down VMs
3. Forego hardware replacement
4. Extend support contracts and recycle hardware
5. Enforce usage policies
6. Adopt a new hypervisor vendor
7. Add memory
8. Use existing features
9. Switch Virtual Hard Disk type
10. Upgrade to the latest hypervisor version
Recent Article: Top five Hyper-V 3.0 features that will excite IT pros
Microsoft is adding some glamorous Hyper-V 3.0 features to the mix, including Hyper-V Replica, virtual Fibre Channel adapters and NUMA spanning. While these capabilities will allow for a more detailed configuration, how many administrators will view these options as a critical part of their Hyper-V infrastructure?
The top priority of many virtualization administrators involves reducing the number of scheduled virtual machine (VM) service disruptions and late-night hours on the job. The shiny, new capabilities are welcome, but some of the greatest Hyper-V 3.0 features were already present in previous versions and have just now matured.
For IT pros looking to make their lives a little easier, the following five new-and -improved Hyper-V 3.0 features should really excite them.
To see my Top 5 features for everyday virtualization administrators, click HERE.
Advisory Board Question of the Month: Avoid Having to Sit Next to Creepy Uncle Bob
This months SearchServerVirtualization.com Advisory Board question of the month looks at “How Virtualization Pros Can Land Their Next IT Job” Here’s my take:
“
Targeted skills, relevant experience and a focused cover letter will land you an interview. But personality and attitude will most often get you a spot on the team. This is not only relevant for those hiring but also for those looking for an IT job. If the fit just isn’t there, then both parties should move on.
For managers, these factors are critical, because a bad hire can lead to having to handle more personnel issues, which takes time away from the department initiatives.
In IT departments, the “team fit” is especially important, because you often spend a lot of time with the group during late hours or weekends, when problems often arise. Having someone on the other end of the phone or in the office with a similar mindset, and who genuinely cares about helping out, makes a huge difference when stress is high.
So work on your skills and let your personality prevail over your nerves. Joining an IT department is really like becoming part of a family. Making the right choice will help you avoid sitting next to that creepy aunt or uncle for years to come.
”
Read the responses from the other advisory board member HERE.
Virtualization Group – Boston Deck is Now Uploaded
The presentation deck from last nights Virtualization Group – Boston is now uploaded. You can get it from the link below or view decks from my recent events from the “Shared Files” section in the right-hand bar.
VirtG-Bos 02/16/2012 – “Hyper-V 3.0: Top Features Administrators For The Everyday Administrator”
Thanks to Tim Mangan and Dan Stolts for the invite.
If you are in the area, check out one of their Monthly meetings or attend the upcoming Deep Dive Day on March 10th in Randolph, MA.
