Plain Virtualization

Previously I have talked about the difference between an Open and OEM licensing here.   Why OEM license are cheaper in general since they are provided by OEM vendor instead of direct from the Principle.  This applies not to just software but also hardware although I used software as a subject in writing.

Following on the different support structure contact point between Open and OEM licensing here. Support are typically directly from OEM rather than from the original Principle vendor of the hardware of software.

Question why would OEM support cost cheaper than Principle support or why Principle support is more expensive than OEM support?  Is it because the Principle owns the product (software/hardware) that makes it more expensive?

There are several reasons why OEM is less expensive if you do a study.  Below is what I have observed:

1) Principle vendor owns the product, in such, it cost more.  OEM vendors use their own support and only to a certain level will they have support from Pr…

Few months back, I wrote on how you can enrol to help in contributing VMware certification exams. If you are interested do just head over and sign up.

Now, VMware has announce the availability of VCP 6.5 for Data Center Virtualization.  This include the full exam with foundations and the delta exam.

It was lots of effort to get this exam going live and been part of developing the exam, hope that what we ask for are the required knowledge based on the product and your experience.

To those taking or renewing your certification, all the best.  Follow the blueprint as always and understand what you need to know and understand what you need to improve on.

Good Luck!

Starting from vSphere 6.5 Update 1 and next major release, VMware will discontinue 3rd party vSwitch Program.  A kb that has stated this is found here.

3rd party vSwitches including Cisco Nexus 1000V, Cisco VM-FEX, Cisco AVS, HPE 5900v and IBM DVS 5000v.

VMware has release a migration tool which can be found here.

A blog post of what is the strategy forward in terms of virtual switch on vSphere is mentioned here which include virtual Standard Switch (vSS) and virtual Distributed Switch (vDS) and Open Virtual Switch (OVS).

For customer who are on 3rd party virtual switch, you might have to change back with your vendor for your support in future vSphere version.  Understand Cisco has mention to their customer that they will continue to support the use of Nexus 1000V.

VMware today announce the end availability of vSphere Data Protection (VDP) here.  vSphere 6.5 will be the last version of VDP provided.

Abit of history, VDP was included since vSphere 5.0 to replace VMware Data Recovery (VDR).

For existing VDP deployment, please check the respective version end of general support here.  Customer can continue to use any backup solution that utilize vSphere Storage APIs – Data Protection framework (VADP).

Since VDP is an OEM from Dell-EMC Avamar, the closest product is Avamar Virtual Edition. Customers are recommended to take advantage of a Dell-EMC special migration offer to transition VDP VM protection to Dell-EMC Avamar Virtual Addition.  Check this with your local Dell-EMC team and read about it here.

The threat was first discovered on Workstation during Pwn2Own hacking event.  With further investigation, it is now found possible on ESXi 6.0U1 and above.

Do check out the VMware Security Advisories here.  The patches are all available currently.

Read about the how this was found during Pwn2Own event on the blog post here.

If you have been following the exam news that has been release, starting from 1st April, the price of the exams for all level starting from Foundation, Associate, Professional, Advanced Professional and Expert have all increased.  You can read up the official post here.

I will skip the Foundation and Associate exam since these are just entry level exams.

Looking at Professional (VCP), Advanced Professional (VCAP) and Expert (VCDX), each has increased from $225 to $250, $400 to $450 and $300 + $900 to $995 + $3,000 respectively.  If you look at it its a gradually increase in tier except for the Expert level which one would think twice attempting with an increase over 130%.  With this increased, this exam will be a company sponsored exam moving forward and not meant for one to self sponsor himself at close to $5,000.  Though these prices are affecting the developed countries.

Not sure why the move but it seems like VMware it controlling the number of people attaining VCDX and keeping th…