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Would you like MSSQL (Microsoft SQL Server) support for the VCSA (vCenter Server Appliance)?

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Many of you know that I am a huge fan of the VCSA (vCenter Server Appliance), especially when it comes to a new deployment and how easy it is compared to the Windows version. I especially like how upgrades work for the VCSA by deploying a new VCSA and then performing a migration based upgrade to the new appliance. This provides a nice roll-back mechanism in case something happens and all I need to do is just power on the original VCSA to get the original environment up and running again.

Having said all this, I know the VCSA is still currently lacking a few features which may prevent customers from fully adopting the solution for their production workload. However, if you take a look a how far the VCSA has come from its initial release in vSphere 5.0 release, it has greatly improved and we continue to enhance it with every release. With release of vSphere 5.5, we now support the following configurations maximums:

ESXi Hosts Virtual Machines
Embedded vPostgres DB 100 3,000
External Oracle DB 1000 10,000

Even before vSphere 5.5 release, VMware has internally pushed the boundaries of the VCSA (vSphere 5.1) and the embedded vPostgres database by running one of the most dynamic and demanding workload in a very short amount of time which is the VMworld's Hands On Lab. This really goes to show the type of scale and performance the VCSA and the embedded vPostgres database can support.

One of the most frequent piece of feedback that I have heard from customers regarding the VCSA is to provide support for Microsoft SQL Server database. This request is quite understandable, especially for a Windows shop where you may already have a team of Database Administrators who are quite familiar with the operational and management aspects of maintaining a MSSQL database.

VMware is actually not opposed to supporting MSSQL for the VCSA which runs on SuSE Linux but the challenge in the past was the lack of a Microsoft ODBC driver for SLES. Well it turns out last year Mircosoft released a Community Tech Preview Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server on SLES, however the driver is currently only a Tech Preview and to do justice for VMware customers, we would want to use a GA (General Available) driver which means that there would be full support from Microsoft.

If you would like the VCSA to have MSSQL support, you can help by providing this feedback to your local Microsoft representative or filing a feature request. The more customer demand we have for this, the more likelihood MSSQL DB support can become a reality.

In addition to providing feedback to Microsoft, I think it would also be useful to let our PMs know how important MSSQL DB support & the VCSA is to you which will also help with the prioritization of features. If you can help fill out this quick survey below, that would also be great.

Apple Mac Pro 5,1 now on VMware HCL for ESXi 5.5

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I was just informed yesterday that VMware HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) has been updated to  include the current Apple Mac Pro 5,1 as a supported platform for ESXi 5.5. The Apple Mac Pro was not originally listed and may have caused some confusion. This was a mistake on our part and luckily it has now been resolved.

The Apple Mac Pro 5,1 now supports the following versions of ESXi:

  • ESXi 5.1
  • ESXi 5.1 Update 1
  • ESXi 5.5

I know a few of you have asked about the upcoming Mac Pro (black circular one) and whether it would be certified for ESXi.

All I can say, it is something that we will look at once the new Mac Pro becomes generally available (VMware does not get early access to Apple hardware).

Presenting NotSupported vBrownBag Tech Talk at VMworld Barcelona 2013

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VMworld Barcelona 2013 is only one week away and if you are going to be attending, I would highly recommend you to check out the awesome vBrownBag Tech Talks which have been running for the second year in a row now at both VMworld US and Europe. There are a variety of topics that are covered from deep dives into new technologies to building home labs for your VMware environment, there is literally something for everyone. The structure of the talks are in the form of quick lightening talks usually taking anywhere from 20-30minutes. If you get a chance, you should definitely drop by the community lounge and check out a few of talks.

Last year I really taking part of the NotSupported themed sessions (concept by Randy Keener) and presented on vInception (Nested Virtualization) at VMworld US and vGhetto Lab at VMworld Europe. I thought both sessions were very well attended and audience seemed to have enjoyed the content. Due to a hectic schedule for VMworld US, I was not able to submit a session but for VMworld Barcelona, I will be presenting on another NotSupported session called NotSupported Tips/Tricks for vSphere 5.5 on Tuesday Oct. 15th at 16:30-17:00.

If you have attended one of my previous sessions, you know it will be technical and hopefully you will leave away with knowing even more NotSupported goodies that you can use in your vSphere environment. For those of you who attend and stay until the end, I will have a vBrownBag exclusive in which I will be showing off some super cool vAwesomness that you will not want to miss! I hope to see you all there.