Building VMs using OSCustomizationSpec

With the release of Windows Server 2016, we did a complete overhaul of all of our VM templates.  The current way that I was building VMs (link to article) and configuring the NICs (link to article) stopped working because we increased the security footprint in the templates.  So I was stuck figuring out how to revamp my build script.  … Continue reading

Using PowerCLI to Find Datastore with Missing VM

PowerCLI to Find Datastore with missing VM

During the last maintenance window at work, we starting having issues with vCenter, so to resolve the issues vCenter services were restarted.  After the vCenter services came back up, I noticed one of the servers on a host had lost it connection.  To make things worse, the datastore for the VM changed from the human readable format to location name.… Continue reading

New PowerCLI Release: PowerCLI 6.5 R1

PowerCLI 6.5 R1

VMware just release a new version of PowerCLI just today.  Like every new release, they have packed with one with a ton of new features, and updates to the existing cmdlets to help with automation and daily operations.

Updated Cmdlets

Move-VM – This cmdlet has been updated to support the ability to vMotion machines between vCenters.  … Continue reading

Get vMotion IPs from all VMHost

I was recently asked to gather the vMotion IPs for all of the hosts in our environment. We have about 80 or so VM Hosts, so this was a job for PowerCli.  Below is the script.

vMotion IPs Gather from the Script

First there needs to be a place to put all of the information that is going to be collected.  … Continue reading

Issues with PowerShell Modules and Duplicate Cmdlets

At the end of the day I always take my laptop with me as I never know when I’ll get a call about server issues.  So my PowerShell sessions remain open all of the time, with all of the modules loaded.  Granted I do save my scripts that I work on frequently, and I had a problem before losing a few scripts without having a recent save.  … Continue reading

Using PowerCli to gather NIC settings

We had some changes recently in the environment, and the old DNS and WINS servers were decommissioned.  So I was tasked with getting all of the NIC settings of the virtual machines so we can see how many were using the old settings.  So I started with a simple WMI call to gather the settings from the NICs.… Continue reading

Setting up VMware Tools Shared Product Locker with PowerShell

With the changes to how VMware Tools will be released, we finally decided to setup Product Locker. These changes were released in September 2015 VMware decided that the tools would be no longer depended on vSphere releases or ESXi builds.

Download VMware Tools here

One of our other VMware engineers found a script (link here) that could do this task, but it was seemed like it was wrote for a smaller environment than what we work with.  … Continue reading

Building a Home Lab for PowerCli Testing

After taking the PowerCli HOL from VMware, I been thinking of putting together a home lab. I been reading a lot of information about
others bloggers using Mini PCs- such as the Intel NUCs, Mac Minis, and even custom built whitebox servers. Unfortunately, being a father of 3 kids means I have to be on a tight budget, and at the same time I don’t want to skimp and have a under powered home lab.  … Continue reading

Vote for the Top vBlog 2016

This is the first year that I’ve been included in the running for Top vBlog.  It feels good to be on the list with all of the other great virtualization blogs from around then web. This voting is taking place at vSphere-Land.com, which is ran by Eric Siebert.  The polls are currently open and looking for the Top 25 vBlogs of 2016.… Continue reading

VMware PowerCLI Hands-on-Learning Review

Have you been wanting to learn PowerCLI but don’t have a test environment to practice with out the fear of breaking live production? That is where this hands-on-learning (HOL) lab from VMware can come in handy.  I personally worked through this HOL and found that the information that was provide to be very thorough to help with beginners wanting to start with PowerCLI.  … Continue reading