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VMware virtualization

• Top 25 VMware ESXi commands

  This VMware ESXi command line cheat sheet is a must-have resource for IT professionals who maintain and troubleshoot ESXi. Continue Reading

• Compare the top 5 bare-metal hypervisors

  Hypervisors such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix Hypervisor, RHV and Oracle VM Server for x86 provide value to enterprise-level data centers in different ways. Continue Reading

• How does moving huge VMDK files affect storage?

  VMware ESXi 5.5 enabled VMDK files larger than 2 TB, but huge VMs bring storage challenges. Continue Reading

• Why would you need huge virtual disk files?

  As more enterprises look to virtualize top-tier applications, many are seeing a growing need for huge virtual disk files. Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting a VMware DRS load balancing failure

  VMware's DRS helps organizations better utilize resources and can prevent resource contention, but DRS load balancing doesn't always work as expected. Continue Reading

• Not so fast: VMware's NSX has hardware and software requirements

  Before you decide to use VMware's NSX network virtualization platform, be sure you know about its software and hardware requirements.Continue Reading

• VMware supports a massive VMDK file size, but why create a monster?

  Practical uses for a 64 TB VMDK file are limited today, but as storage needs grow, you might find a reason to embrace monster VMs.Continue Reading

• Even a small business can take advantage of virtualization

  There are many virtualization success stories among large companies, but with more low cost options, even an SMB can take advantage of virtualization.Continue Reading

• Is VMware VSAN a good fit for your company?

  VMware VSAN could someday replace your expensive SAN, but it may not be the right fit for every company.Continue Reading

• Using esxtop to check processor and memory utilization

  Readily available hypervisor tools, such as esxtop in VMware ESXi, can aid technicians in isolating and correcting virtual machine performance problems.Continue Reading

• Consider hiding the price tag when comparing vSphere vs. Hyper-V

  While it might seem crazy to your CFO, comparing vSphere vs. Hyper-V without considering the price is a useful exercise.Continue Reading

• A guide to Hyper-V features for the VMware administrator

  For every VMware action, there’s a Hyper-V reaction. VSphere and Hyper-V features have many similarities, but their vendors speak different languages.Continue Reading

• VSphere 5 licensing furor calms down, but problems remain

  Most users now realize that the new VMware vSphere 5 licensing model will be about the same price-wise, but it will affect how they use some beneficial features in vSphere.Continue Reading

• Esxtop: Troubleshooting ESX servers with performance metrics

  Colorful pie charts depicting ESX server performance look great, but sometimes you need more powerful metrics. The esxtop command retrieves key performance metrics.Continue Reading

• How to troubleshoot common ESX problems in VMware

  In this excerpt from VMware VI3 Implementation and Administration, learn some steps on how to identify ESX problems in virtual environments and solve them.Continue Reading

• Monitor VMware ESX with third-party applications

  Performance monitoring tools, including those from Hyperic and Microsoft, provide better analysis than VMware's standard tool set. This guide reviews the virtualization performance management offerings that are compatible with ESX and with other ...Continue Reading

• VMware Converter: Version differences, hot and cold cloning

  VMware Converter is VMware's physical-to-virtual (P2V) conversion tool. Learn about version differences, hot and cold cloning, and which servers to stay away from with this tool.Continue Reading

• Measuring virtual machine performance: Current options

  Learn what the current options in the virtualization space are for measuring virtual machine performance.Continue Reading

• How-to: VMware ESX, Linux virtual machines and read-only file systems

  One of the benefits of virtual machines is hardware abstraction. But what do you do when disk activity on a back end storage device causes guest operating systems on ESX to lose their cool? In this tip, Andrew Kutz explains how to mitigate errors in...Continue Reading

• Best practices for naming VMware virtual machines

  Are you naming your VMware virtual machines in a way that will help you keep track of where they are and what they do? If not, you must read this expert response by Andrew Kutz.Continue Reading

• Server partitioning and VMware

  Wondering how you should partition your host server for optimal VMware virtualization? Read this expert response by Andrew Kutz to find out.Continue Reading

• Does VMware have memory sharing capability?

  VMware is the standard in virtualization, but does it support memory sharing? Site expert Andrew Kutz has the answer in this expert response.Continue Reading

• How to install and configure Windows Server 2003 for VMware

  VMware Server: Some assembly required. Never fear, expert Andrew Kutz is here -- read this eight-part tip and be the IT pro in the know on getting VMware up and running.Continue Reading

• How to convert VMware virtual disk images to Virtual Server

  In this tip, Chris Wolf explains how to convert VMware virtual disk imagesto Microsoft Virtual Server when you don't have the resources to buy Platespin's PowerConvert.Continue Reading

• Hyperthreading in virtualized environments

  If hyperthreading is turned off, will virtual servers still run? Find out from Andrew Kutz in this expert response.Continue Reading

• Comparing VMware ESX, VMware Server, Microsoft Virtual Server, Xen and XenEnterprise: Technical spec

  Don't just look at products when choosing a server virtualization platform, says expert Andrew Kutz. He cover technical specifications and support in part two of his four-part series. The series offers a thorough analysis and comparison of the ...Continue Reading