How to Install a vCenter (VCSA) 6.5 U2d

As we are all aware vCenter is at the heart of our vSphere environments. Whether deploying a lab or a net new datacenter with vSAN/VxRail, you will require a new vCenter. Before I begin, embedded vs external Platform Services Controller (PSC). I say treat any net new install as embedded PSC only. VMware is in … Read more

Part 3. DRaaS on VMWare Cloud on AWS – Config Replication/Protection Groups/Recovery Plans

This is the third installment of my ongoing series on DRaaS. We have have by now installed VR/Site Recovery Manager, configured site pairings, and configured onprem and SDDC mappings. Now it is time to setup Replication, Protection Groups and Recovery Plans. What are Protection Groups and Recovery Plans A protection group is a group of … Read more

VMware Cloud on AWS HA with Stretched Clusters

Each AWS Region supports the infrastructure and services for a given geography. Within each Region, Amazon builds isolated and redundant islands of infrastructure called Availability Zones (AZ). With VMware Cloud on AWS, ESXi hosts traditionally reside in an AWS Availability Zone (AZ) and are protected by vSphere HA. In the event of losing a ESXi … Read more

Pure Block Store for VMC on AWS

I am very excited about this new development in cloud storage via Pure storage. Cloud Block Store is Pure’s own Purity OS running in AWS. This is a huge development because it will allow companies to leverage abilities that have been unavailable in native AWS. Space saving features such as deduplication, compression, and thin provisioning … Read more

VMWare Cloud on AWS Migration Options

I have been asked recently about the “easiest” way to migrate workloads from OnPrem into the VMC. Since I believe “easy” is a matter of perception I thought I would list the 5 techniques I have utilized. 5 types of VM migrations for VMware Cloud on AWS Migration with vMotion Migration with vMotion allows moving … Read more

VMUG Announcement on VMC on AWS

Everyone, I have been named co-leader of a new VMUG community focused on the education and development of VMware Cloud on AWS. https://www.vmug.com/vmconaws In the coming weeks we will be adding webinars, videos, posting documents, and announcing sponsored events. I am also looking for recommendations on content that everyone would like to see. Please sign … Read more

5 Benefits of VMware Cloud on AWS (VMC)

I was recently asked in an interview what are 5 things I like or that a potential VMC on AWS customer should know. about VMC. I thought I would make a quick list of my 5 benefits of VMC. 1. Agility The provisioning of new resources is quick and easy. Within 15-20 minutes of adding … Read more

DellEMC VxRail 4.5 Upgrade Process

I thought I would make my first VxRail post over a topic I get asked frequently about, which is how difficult is it to upgrade a VxRail. Having performed many VxRail upgrades over the years I’d like to start by saying these are my own personal notes and style for upgrading VxRail. This post is … Read more

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me! For years now my friends in the industry have asked me to start a blog due to being a true agnostic technologist. Like many I believe are reading my blog I am a seeker of knowledge and love to challenge myself to continue growing. This mind set started me with simple … Read more