VCDX – Troubleshooting Scenario Strategy

D-day is nearly finished, you have just completed the 75 minute presentation and the 30 minute design scenario.  With barely a pause you dive into the final 15 minute “Troubleshooting Scenario”.  How should you handle this task?  What should be your strategy? Continue reading VCDX – Troubleshooting Scenario Strategy

VCDX – Network Hardware Performance

This three part series from Packet Pushers is a very educational discussion about the construction and function of network hardware (routing and switching):

VCDX – Design Scenario Strategy

D-day has arrived, you have just completed the 75 minute session presenting and defending your design.  You have left the room for the 10 minute break and now you have returned for the 45 minute “Design Scenario”.  How should you tackle this task?  What should be your strategy? Continue reading VCDX – Design Scenario Strategy

Enterprise NAS with vSphere 5.1, EMC VNX VG8 & Symmetrix VMAX 20K

This article builds upon my previous post, plus the existing white papers and blogs listed below, to provide a VCDX-style guide to the design decisions that need to be considered for Enterprise-level Network Attached Storage (NAS) with vSphere 5.1 and the EMC Symmetrix VMAX 20K with VNX VG8 NAS Gateways. Continue reading Enterprise NAS with vSphere 5.1, EMC VNX VG8 & Symmetrix VMAX 20K

Baby Dragon Triplets – VSAN Performance Testing

I previously posted about my “Baby Dragon Triplets” VSAN Home Lab that I recently built.  One of the design requirements was to meet 5,000 IOPS @ 4K 50/50 R/W, 100% Random, which from the performance testing below has been met. Continue reading Baby Dragon Triplets – VSAN Performance Testing

EMEA vBrownbag VCDX Preparation Special – Round 2

Last week on the EMEA vBrownbag, Craig Kilborn, Gregg Robertson, Bobby Stampfle and myself hosted a VCDX preparation special podcast.

We are planning on a second round if there is enough interest.  Just tweet @vBrownbag with your suggested discussion item and if we have sufficient feedback, this will set the agenda for another VCDX preparation podcast.

Baby Dragon Triplets – VSAN Home Lab

Allow me to introduce Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion, my three host, “VSAN Baby Dragon” Home Lab.  Straight from “Game Of Thrones”, if you are wondering what the names mean.  I finally bit the bullet and invested in some new kit to move away from the limited Embedded ESXi lab I was running on my MacBook Air.  I sourced everything from the Computer Souq in Riyadh, since I did not want to wait for shipping, which can be expensive.  I have provided the details for anyone who wants a vSphere lab that works without the head scratching. Continue reading Baby Dragon Triplets – VSAN Home Lab