Category: virtualization archive

  • Tips for using Dell’s updated EqualLogic Host Integration Tools – VMware Edition (HIT/VE)

    Ever since my series of posts on replication with a Dell EqualLogic SAN, I’ve had a lot of interest from other users wondering how I actually use the built-in tools provided by Dell EqualLogic to protect my environment.  This is one of the reasons why I’ve written so much about ASM/ME, ASM/LE, and SANHQ.  Well,…

  • Upgrading to vSphere 5.0 by starting from scratch. …well, sort of.

    It is never any fun getting left behind in IT.  Major upgrades every year or two might not be a big deal if you only had to deal with one piece of software, but take a look at most software inventories, and you’ll see possibly dozens of enterprise level applications and supporting services that all…

  • Using the Dell EqualLogic HIT for Linux

      I’ve been a big fan of Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools for Microsoft (HIT/ME), so I was looking forward to seeing how the newly released HIT for Linux (HIT/LE) was going to pan out.  The HIT/ME and HIT/LE offer unique features when using guest attached volumes in your VM’s.  What’s the big deal about…

  • Reworking my PowerConnect 6200 switches for my iSCSI SAN

    It sure is easy these days to get spoiled with the flexibility of virtualization and shared storage.  Optimization, maintenance, fail-over, and other adjustments are so much easier than they used to be.  However, there is an occasional reminder that some things are still difficult to change.  For me, that reminder was my switches I use…

  • Software that helps make life in IT a little easier

      In IT, rarely is one truly developing something from the ground up.  In many ways, IT is about making solutions work – disjointed as they may be.  Large enterprise class solutions such as Email and messaging platforms, Content Management Systems, CRM’s, Directory Services, and Security Solutions all are massively complex -  even if they…

  • Zero to 32 Terabytes in 30 minutes. My new EqualLogic PS4000e

    Rack it up, plug it in, and away you go.  Those are basically the steps needed to expand a storage pool by adding another PS array using the Dell/EqualLogic architecture.  A few weeks ago I took delivery of a new PS4000e to compliment my PS6000e at my primary site.  The purpose of this additional array…

  • How I use Dell/EqualLogic’s SANHQ in my environment

      One of the benefits of investing in Dell/EqualLogic’s SAN solutions are the number of great tools included with the product, at no extra charge.  I’ve written in the past about leveraging their AutoSnapshot Manager for VM and application consistent snapshots and replicas.  Another tool that deserves a few words is SAN HeadQuarters (SANHQ).  SANHQ…

  • Finally. A practical solution to protecting Active Directory

      Active Directory.  It is the brains of most modern-day IT infrastructures, providing just about every conceivable control of how users, computers and information will interact with each other.  Authentication, user, group and computer access control, all help provide logical barriers that allow for secure access, but a seamless user experience with single sign-on access…

  • Replication with an EqualLogic SAN; Part 5

      Well, I’m happy to say that replication to my offsite facility is finally up and running now.  Let me share with you the final steps to get this project wrapped up.  You might recall that in my previous offsite replication posts, I had a few extra challenges.  We were a single site organization, so…

  • Firewall adventures: Transitioning from ISA 2006 to TMG

      One of the key parts of my seemingly never-ending Offsite Replication project was to build out a second location to replicate my data to.  Before I could do this, some prep work to my network was in order.  It was a great opportunity for me to replace my existing firewall running Microsoft’s ISA 2006…