WilliamLam.com

Automating the vSAN Data Migration Pre-check using vSAN API

by // Leave a Comment

I was chatting with a customer yesterday on various automation topics and one of the questions was about automating the vSAN Data Migration Pre-Check capablitity, which is available in the vSphere UI under vSAN Cluster->Monitor->vSAN->Data Migration Pre-check as shown in the screenshot below.


The specific vSAN API that you will need to use is both the VsanPerformResourceCheck to perform the operation and then VsanGetResourceCheckStatus to retrieve the results as the operation can take some time depending on the size of your environment.

[Read more...]

VCF 9.0 Hardware Considerations

by // 2 Comments

While I have already shared this on my social media accounts, I still think it is still worth re-iterating this update as I know many of our users, partners and even employees are preparing for VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.0.

The Broadcom Compatibility Guide (BCG) has recently been updated to include a preliminary set of devices that will be supported with VCF 9.0, this a company first as the BCG is typically only released at the GA, which make it difficult for those currently in the planning process for hardware refresh.

It is VERY important to understand that VMware/Broadcom does NOT certify hardware and I/O devices, which is still a common miss-conception and/or FUD being thrown out in the community. Our OEM partners ultimately decide which devices to certify for each release and they may choose NOT to re-certify devices for a number of reasons including earlier end-of-sales and end-of-life support. This  is not unique to VCF 9.0 and it is not unique pre or post-acquisition of VMware.

In addition to reviewing the updated BCG, KB 391170 - Deprecated devices in ESXi 9.0 and implications for support was also just published last week that provides a list of specific deprecated and end-of-life devices that you can check specifically.

To assist and automate the inventory of your existing I/O devices and then cross-checking that against the BCG, I have created several PowerShell and PowerCLI scripts which you can refer to this blog post HERE for more detail.

I know many of our users are excited to get their hands with VCF 9.0 in their lab and may be looking for some guidance, recommendations or just wondering what will work. I do plan on publishing some additional resources that will be available to community at GA, including an internal crowdsourced of systems (mostly not on the BCG) that folks have had success with installing ESXi 9.0, so stay tuned for that information.

VMware Flings is now available in Free Downloads of Broadcom Support Portal (BSP)

by // 1 Comment

As shared back in April, the VMware Fling downloads will be migrating to the Free Downloads section within the Broadcom Support Portal (BSP) and this transition has just completed over the weekend. Going forward, any net new or updated VMware Flings will be published on the BSP.

To access the VMware Flings downloads or any other free or entitled software, you will need to register for a free BSP account, which does support personal email addresses (e.g. gmail, yahoo, etc).

[Read more...]