WilliamLam.com

Handy VCSA (vCenter Server Appliance) Operational KB Resources

by // 1 Comment

I am a huge fan of the VCSA (vCenter Server Appliance) for anyone that knows me. From time to time, I see interesting VMware KB articles that contain what I think are valuable tidbits of "Operational" information that could come handy in the future. I normally would bookmark these in my browser since you never know when you might need it. I figured for customers who are currently using the VCSA, having some of these operational tidbits would definitely be helpful, especially during troubleshooting or helping them build out a list of resources they could reference when they need to update, increase capacity or change the configurations for the VCSA. Instead of just keeping this list for myself, I thought I can share what I have for the latest VCSA 5.5.x as well comb through our VMware KB site looking for other handy operational KB's to include.

I have categorized the VCSA KB's into four categories that I felt made the most sense, I am sure you could break it down further but I thought this would make it easier to process. In addition, I have also included articles from virtuallyGhetto (subset from this page) that may also apply to these areas which I have listed at the very bottom in case you were interested in those as well. Hopefully this will be helpful for anyone managing VCSA(s) and if there are any that I have missed or you would like to see get added, feel free to leave a comment.

Deployment:
Configurations:
Logging & Troubleshooting:
Backups & Recovery: 

virtuallyGhetto VCSA Operational Resources

Deployment:
Configurations:
Logging & Troubleshooting:
Backups & Recovery:
Tips/Tricks:

Quick Tip - Start & Stop order for vCenter Server Services

by // 9 Comments

A couple weeks back I had worked on something that required me to shutdown all the vCenter Server Services on a VCSA (vCenter Server Appliance). There is no high level service that can be stopped which would properly shutdown all the different services in the appropriate order. Luckily, one can easily derive the start and stop order by just taking a look at the runlevel scripts (S* for start and K* for Kill scripts). I have extracted the order in which the vCenter Server Services must be stopped and started which is shown below:

Stop Order:

  1. vmcad
  2. vmdird
  3. vmkdcd
  4. vmware-inventoryservice
  5. vmware-logbrowser
  6. vmware-netdumper
  7. vmware-vpxd
  8. vsphere-client
  9. vmware-stsd
  10. vmware-sts-idmd

Start Order:

  1. vmcad
  2. vmdird
  3. vmkdcd
  4. vmware-netdumper
  5. vmware-sts-idmd
  6. vmware-stsd
  7. vmware-inventoryservice
  8. vmware-logbrowser
  9. vmware-vpxd
  10. vsphere-client

Note: Although I mention the VCSA, the ordering also applies to a vCenter Server for Windows which has the exact same services.

Here is a simple shell script snippet that can be used to stop all vCenter Server Services in the appropriate order:

VMWARE_SERVICE_STOP=(
vmcad
vmdird
vmkdcd
vmware-inventoryservice
vmware-logbrowser
vmware-netdumper
vmware-vpxd
vsphere-client
vmware-stsd
vmware-sts-idmd
)

for i in ${VMWARE_SERVICE_STOP[@]};
do
  /etc/init.d/$i stop
done

}

Here is a simple shell script snippet that can be used to start all vCenter Server Services in the appropriate order:

VMWARE_SERVICE_START=(
vmcad
vmdird
vmkdcd
vmware-netdumper
vmware-sts-idmd
vmware-stsd
vmware-inventoryservice
vmware-logbrowser
vmware-vpxd
vsphere-client
)

for i in ${VMWARE_SERVICE_START[@]};
do
  /etc/init.d/$i start
done

Help support JWOC's Racing4Change on #GivingTuesday

by // Leave a Comment

During our Good Gigs Trek in Cambodia, I learned from one of the JWOC (Journeys Within Our Community) staff members, Victoria Neff that they were raising funds for an upcoming event cycling and running event to help raise awareness and funds for JWOC. I was really hoping the event was during our stay, but unfortunately it was not and that it would be taking place on Dec 6th and 7th. As many of you know, I enjoy cycling and have ridden in the past for several great charities and running is something I am now just taking up.

To support my friends over at JWOC, I have donated to Victoria's half marathon event as it was something near and dear to my heart because I will be attempting a similar run next year. I would also like to ask all of my followers to consider supporting this great cause, I know many of you have supported me in the past and for this #GivingTuesday, I would like to ask for your support for these wonderful folks over at JWOC.

Here is a bit more about the event and you can donate by going here.

Help us, help our community. Help our scholarship students and staff raise $9000 to allow crucial aspects of our projects to continue. This fundraiser will allow us to provide 140 water filters, continue our art and science classes for one year, fund 15 microloans and provide one whole village with 60 Home gardens. We want to help our community, but we need your help to make it possible.

On December 6th, Scholarship students and staff from Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC) will take part in a 30km bike ride to raise awareness and funds for JWOC. In addition, Victoria, our Education Manager and Makara, a graduated scholarship student, will run the Angkor half marathon on December 7th. Alex, JWOC's Managing Director, will be taking part in the Angkor 10k run to raise funds across the projects for JWOC.

We work to promote economic, educational and improved health opportunities through access to basic services such as clean water, microfinance, education and community liaison programs. JWOC builds capacity and increases self-reliance, helping struggling communities to face daily challenges and better their own future.

Good luck to everyone at JWOC taking part in the cycling and running events, you guys all rock!