vmwarez.com
           -Where Virtualization is a Reality!

"VI Clients connected to VirtualCenter contain graphical topology maps that display the relationships between objects in the inventory. These maps can be used to visually discern high load areas, to see a virtual machine's VMotion candidate hosts, to plan general datacenter management, and to export."

That quote is from the Vi3 release notes. Besides that, there are just a couple other places on the whole VMware website that talk much about this new feature. I don't think that the new maps feature gets enough attention. At first glance, it is just a novelty... but after using Vi3 for a few months, I've found that it can be really nice to go look at my maps to get my head straight. Now, with this post, I don't want to get into the heavy work side of this feature. I'd like to start a gallery of "cool looking" Vi3 maps. Email your screen capture to jim (at) vmwarez.com and I'll post them here.

Pictures follow...

Jim's Vi3 Map @ WTC


Arne's Lab Environment

This is your last chance to enter this first-ever vmWarez.com contest. Email your ideas for what we should do for future contests to jim (at) vmwarez.com.

One lucky person will receive a gift certificate valued at $100 for use at the VMware Store.

The winner will be chosen at random and announced November 1... then we'll post our next contest.

If you would like to donate "prize material" for future contests, email me with details. This is a great way to get your company's name or product out in front of thousands of virtualization enthusiasts every day.

VMworld 2006 starts in about a week. Several thousand (estimates are around 6k) virtualization geeks will be swarming downtown L.A. for 3 days of VM education, enlightenment and entertainment. There will be a party Wednesday night at Universal Studios, more than 190 in-depth breakout sessions, expanded hands on labs and best of all lots of opportunities for us to network.



If you're going to be there, post a comment (anonymously if you like) saying where you will be staying. I'll be at the Ritz-Milner (el-cheapo).

For you other virtualization bloggers out there, I'm looking forward to meeting you Monday night.

Ward over at NerdVittles has done it again. The latest TrixBox with all the goodies already loaded and configured is ready for download.

You can get it via B I T - T O R R E N T here... or from BubbaPCguy's mirror, or from the NerdVittles' site here, or from our site here.

The file is about 575MB... has lots of updates and cool features. Enjoy :)

Just a reminder, the first ever vmwarez.com contest will be ending on the 31st of October. The winner will be announced on November 1. You still have time to submit your entry.

The rules for this contest are that you email your ideas for future contests to jim [at] vmwarez.com. The original post is here. Ideally, the ideas submitted would have something to do with virtualization. Many of the ones already submitted are AWESOME and are already being planned.

The next contest will run the whole month of November. Details will be available starting after this first one is over and announced.

Hurry up and get your ideas emailed in before the end of the month.

Good Luck!

vmwarez.com is hosting our first SkypeCast this evening at 5PM CST. If you already have skype, just go here to join in... if not, go here and get it in pleanty of time to be ready to chat tonight at five.

Tonight's topic will be VLANs and how they fit into your virtual infrastructure. Don't think that these are limited to only ESX installations. They can also be used very easily in VMWare Workstation, GSX, Server and probably even Player.

I look forward to seeing you there!

New rules for the first-ever vmwarez.com contest:

Just email your ideas for future contests to jim @ vmwarez . com.

The only rule is that the contest ideas have to have something to do with virtualization technology.

Forget all that amazon stuff. Just drop me a quick email to enter.

The prize is a $100 gift cert for the VMware Store, your source for official VMware schwag. If you're going to VMworld in November, this is your chance to stock up on shirts and stuff so you'll fit in with the rest of us GEEKS!

UPDATE (10/10/06): New contest rules... Read this page anyway, then check out the new rules.

I'm having one of those days... or series of days... actually, it has been about a month since I started thinking about this and I just can't come up with anything. So, to get things started, I'm offering a $100 gift certificate to the VMware Store for the winner of this little impromptu contest.

Here's what I want from you:
Send me your best ideas for what I should have for a contest... not the prize, but what the contest should be. But, I can't make it that easy. The winner will be determined by me. Factors will include the quality of ideas for the next contest and the number of virtualization related books he can find on Amazon.com.

How to play:
Send me an email: jim @ vmwarez . com. Include in it your idea(s) for what the next contest should be and a list (CSV would be nice) of ISBN numbers and titles of all the virtualization related books/products you can find on Amazon.com.

Here's what you'll get if you win:
You will get a gift certificate to the VMware Store valued at $100.00.

The winner will be announced on November 1, so get busy!

Prizes in future contests are yet to be determined. I could use some ideas there too if you have any. Especially from all you vendors out there. This may be a good way to get some cheap publicity! Contact me if you're interested.

UPDATE (10/10/06): New contest rules... Read this page anyway, then check out the new rules.