I have created a download section in the top menu, for my documents. I am planning a few new documents in a while.

First i have to finish my srm in a box document part 2. If this is ready i will focus at the next version of VMware.

Netapp released a document version about de-duplication. Now there is a VMware chapter inside which describes best practice for VMware de-duplication. You can find it here:

http://media.netapp.com/documents/tr-3505.pdf

When you have downloaded the Netapp system manager and tried to use it with the new 7.3 simulator, you will notice an error message like this one:

I found out that you can bypass this by editing the SystemsConfig.xml in the programs directory. I always do this with metapad.

In this xml there is the following rule:

<ShowUnsupportedSystems>no</ShowUnsupportedSystems>

Just change the no into yes like this:

<ShowUnsupportedSystems>yes</ShowUnsupportedSystems>

Now restart the system manager beta and add the simulator.

You will see that the system will be added. When we take a look at the properties pane, you will mention the “simulator” Model and version 7.3 of ontap.

Do this at you own risk with other netapp  systems. It will not be supported and it is still a beta version!

I noticed that Edwin Friesen earned the vExpert award. Edwin runs a blog, mostly on application virtualization called thinapp.nl

Now there are 13 vExperts on the Dutch bloggers list.

Edwin Friesen: http://www.thinapp.nl

Netapp released the beta of System manager. this is a windows version of filerview. it does not replace it, but it is a mmc tool which provide you a compressive set of tools to manage your Netapp.

You can find the beta here: Link (login required)

   Netapp system manager is supported on the following systems:

• Windows XP SP2 (also supported in a VMware guest OS)
• Windows XP SP3 (also supported in a VMware guest OS)
• Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit
• Windows Server 2003 SP1
• Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 64-bit

One of the settings that catches my eyes was the frequent task pane, where you can create a  NFS datastore for VMware

I want to introduce a new blogger who has started a new dutch VMware blog this year: Frank Denneman

The list is becoming huge. there are now 24 bloggers on the list, and they blog all about VMware. They all seem to blog on a high technical level, so following them will give you a good insight in the VMware technology. I am considering a sort of planetv12 rss feed. If someone has an idee on how to get this working, let me know.

Here is the link:

http://frankdenneman.wordpress.com

This weekend i did an update on the Dutch Bloggers list. For each service a blogger uses, i added an icon so you can follow them more easy. Here is a list of icons i used. For the Dutch Bloggers list click the button in the top menu bar.

Follow the blogger’s rss feed

Follow the Blogger on Twitter

View the blogger’s Linkedin profile

View the Blogger’s Hyves profile

When the blogger’s language is English

When the blogger’s language is Dutch

When the blogger is a vExpert

When the blogger works for VMware

2 articles attracted my attention this week, because they are management and windows related.

I am sure that consultants are not very thrilled about this, but customer are. It is much easier for a customer to adapt this kind of technology when there is a windows mangement layer to managa it.

VMware does this already for quit some time with vCenter and i think now that there will be more vCenter plugins it will be further away from competitors like Xenserver and and MS Hyper-V.

The first one is about the NetApp ESX Host Utilities vCenter Plugin. It will be released with the next version of vSphere. This is great news, when it is out you can access Netapp data store connection configuration from vCenter.

The link to the article:

http://blogs.netapp.com/storage_nuts_n_bolts/2009/03/netapp-esx-host-utilities-vcenter-plugin.html

The other one is a preview of Netapp Systems Manager. This is a windows version of filerview. It will not replace filer view, but it adds management of a Netapp filer from a MMC console.

The link to the article

http://blogs.netapp.com/storage_nuts_n_bolts/2009/03/sneak-preview-netapp-system-manager-nsm.html

 NetApp System Manager (NSM)

Netapp published a great video where NTAP wins a rap battle (offcourse he wins) Just view it and enjoy! This is great stuff from Netapp, and i hope Mike Laverick approves this company battle

We save Zeta-bytes he save floppy’s

Lack reliability when you copy

This guy bought himself into the technology

We perfected it

Customer solutions so effortless

De-Dupe – Backup – Recovery

Mass capacity – with Real scalability

You still living in the 70’s

No direct tape FC connectivity

Self-tuning the remedy

Your VTL software are you kidding me?

Limited – outdated

Need space? Ntap will duplicate it

This morning i received an email that i was selected for a vExpert award:

I am really exited about this to receive an award on things i did for the VMware community.

The other great thing is that vExperts have free access to VMworld presentations. Now it does not hurt that much anymore, not being able to attend at the VMworld in Cannes

Here is what a vExpert wins:

VMware vExpert award winners will receive:
* An award certificate and gift
* Access to a private vExpert community
* vExpert logo to display on website or email signature
* Free subscription to conference session materials on VMworld.com
* Access to exclusive online events and other opportunities to participate in activities
* Inclusion in public vExpert directory
The vExpert award duration is one year (through February, 2010).