Information about Cloud Computing (IaaS) and VMware Technologies

With continuation previous post, I did some google search to convert a VMware based Virtual Machine into Amazon EC2 AMI format. This conversion can be achieved by using QEMU tool. QEMU helps to conver the VMware VMDK into RAW disk format. The next thing is that bundle this RAW disk to an AMI using "eu2-bundle-image" command. For more information, please follow this link: VMDK into AMI Format

Today, I had chat with one of my friend who is keep doing some research on Amazon EC2 platform, but he is new to VMware products. While in our chat, he had asked that is there any solution that I can convert my Amazon EC2 instances into VMware vSphere. I done quick search on Google found this KB article from VMware converting Amazon EC2 instance to VMware Virtual Machine. This article uses Windows instance. If someone already tried or ready to try for linux, please share the steps that involved in. Here is the KB: Converting Amazon EC2 Windows Instances to VMware Workstation or VMware vSphere Virtual Machines

Finally, VMware offically announced and published the new certification names, one step prior to VCDX certification. New certifications are named VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 - Datacenter Administration (VCAP4-DCA) and VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 – Datacenter Design (VCAP4-DCD) The exams are opened on 12th July,2010 for Datacenter Administration and sometime in August 2010 for Datacenter Design. You can signup on the VMware site to received further updates regarding those certifications and more details about the certification path and requirements.

When I was seeing my linkedin updates, I came across a update about VMware Snapshot troubleshooting guide which is written by VMware employee named as "Ruben Garcia, TSE". Ruben also creator of a utility called SnapVMX utility . This troubleshooting guide describes the basic concepts of VM's snapshot and different troubleshooting methods. This guide is designed for ESX3.5 and extra consideration to be taken care of whilst VMware ESX3i/4i/ESX4.0 Ruben's personal blog: http://vmutils.blogspot.com/

EMC unveiled their product called EMC VPLEX Family which offers a distributed federation. It has two products in this family: 1. VPLEX Local 2. VPLEX Metro VPLEX Local provides the transparent co-operation and mobility within the data center. VPLEX Metro offers the distributed federation across two diffrent data centers at synchronous distances. VPLEX Metro will get additional features soon (planned for 2011) for asynchoronous distances by VPLEX Geo and VPLEX Global (more than 2 sites). VPLEX Metro support two clusters upto 100KMs. You can do VMotion between two diffrent data centers. VPLEX virtualizes the EMC and Non-EMC storage arrays. VPLEX products offers 1. VPLEX Hardware - Engine based on EMC's highly available storage controllers, dual high availability redirectors, hot-swap serviceability and intergrated battery back-up. 2. VPLEX Software - EMC GeoSynchrony is operating system for VPLEX products. For more information and updates, visit EMC website

I came across wonderful installation guide for Eucalyptus to setup your own private cloud. Many Thanks to Authors who made it to available thru internet. It is pretty simple and straightward than compare to Eucalyptus Guide. Eucalyptus Beginners Guide for UEC Edition. The original Administrator guide from Eucalyptus

You can change the existing Virtual Hard disks (VMware based) from Thick to thin and vice-versa. This can be achieved by either using VMotion/SVMotion or command line tool called " vmkfstools". Using VMotion/SVMotion is required a valid license. Select “Migrate” and choose “Change Datastore” and select the Disk format. If you don’t have a VMotion/SVMotion license, use the following command to achieve the same. From Thick to Thin: vmkfstools –i "Thickdisk.vmdk" -d thin "Thindisk.vmdk" It will start to clone to virtual hard disk in Thin Provision method. After completed, you can attach this disk with VM and power it on. If all looks good, you can delete the original thick disk from the data store. Use the following command to see real-time usage of thin disk: du –h "Thindisk.vmdk" You can notice the big difference of disk usage between of Thin and Thick format disks. From Thin to Thick: vmkfstools –i "Thindisk.vmdk" -d zeroedthick "T