Update: 7 More Free Virtualization Tools

Recently updated in Webinar about what's new in the free virtualization tools landscape. Over time, older free tools disappear and new free tools are launched. In many cases the newer tools are better and more innovative but, on the other hand, there are always free tools that are the de facto standard for that task.

There are well over 50 free tools available for vSphere, but I'm not covering all of them here. Instead, here are some of the more interesting new ones recently released for vSphere and Fusion.

Nick Weaver's Uber Network Fuser -- This is the virtual network editor that's missing from VMware Fusion on the Mac. I tried it in my lab and showed how it
works in this video I just posted on my Website. If you want to try it for yourself, download the Uber Network Fuser here.

Nick Weaver's UberAlign -- UberAlign comes as a two-piece tool made up of a virtual appliance server and a Windows GUI client. The tool is used to align virtual machine disk files of both Windows and Linux VMs. By properly aligning virtual disk files that were mis-aligned, you can gain significant performance. Nick's tool is on the scale of an expensive commercial tool with its virtual appliance, remote console, and support for multiple simultaneous alignments across multiple virtual machines at the same time. For more information, read about and download UberAlign here and watch some of Nick's how-to videos on how to use it.

Solarwinds VM-to-Cloud Calculator -- This Solarwinds tool compares the cost of moving to the cloud across multiple providers including Rackspace, Amazon EC2, and Windows Azure.

 ESXi Customizer -- Allows you to customize the VMware ESXi 5 installation ISO to include drivers that are not originally included. Start customizing here.

vKernel vSCOPE -- A virtual appliance that analyzes your virtual infrastructure and tells you whick virtual machines have performance issues using a heatmap where the VMs with the greatest problems rise to the top. Look for those hotspots now by clicking here. 

ESX System Analyzer -- From VMware labs, ESX System Analyzer is used to help you plan a migration from ESX to ESXi. It analyzes information like hardware compatibility, registered VMs, any modifications to the service console, and environmental summary information.

I/O Analyzer -- Here's another one from VMware labs, I/O Analyzer is a virtual appliance that measures storage performance.

A couple of notes: VMware Labs has 30+ free tools with many of them being released or updated in the last six months. Also, Kendrick Coleman has a list of just about all the free tools you'll find for vSphere on the Web. You can also check out the "Top Free vSphere Tools" Webinar we hosted recently, posted here.

Enable TSM and SSH on ESXi 4.1

I’ve installed the VMware ESXi 4.1 on my home lab for learning purpose.
Today I decided to enable SSH on ESXi 4.1 for further use and also check the TSM (Tech Support Mode) on ESXi 4.1 in order to checking the different area on the ESXi itself.
So as usual I pressed the ALT+F1 and …. there is new message from VMware on this page!?
“Tech Support Mode has been disabled by administrator.”


So I went back to the main page for checking any new changes in the “System Customization” page.

There is new item in menu as “Troubleshooting Options” which contain four useful option which I think would make the administrator work more easier and safer.
By entering in this menu administrators would be able to enable/disable TSM and SSH, Setting a customized time for disabling the TSM as well as restarting the management agents.

Enabling TSM

Disabling TSM

The result of enabling the TSM

Enabling SSH

Disabling SSH

Modifying Tech Support timeout
Configuring this option would let administrators to let the other technician or support group to gain access to this host for the specific period of time and prevent some mistake like forgetting to disable the TSM.

Using Tech Support Mode in ESXi 4.1

Using Tech Support Mode in ESXi 4.1

Purpose

This article provides guidance on the recommended use of Tech Support Mode for VMware ESXi 4.1.

For instructions on how to enter Tech Support Mode for VMware ESXi 4.0 and 3.5, see: Tech Support Mode for Emergency Support (1003677).

Resolution

 

Tech Support Mode

Tech Support Mode (TSM) provides a command-line interface that can be used by the administrator to troubleshoot and correct abnormal conditions on VMware ESXi hosts. TSM can be accessed in two ways:

• Logging in directly on the console of the ESXi server


• Logging in remotely via SSH

Both of these methods can be disabled, and an optional timeout value can be configured to disallow local and remote TSM access after the specified timeout period.

 

Note: Any existing open sessions are not automatically terminated at the end of the timeout period.

Using Tech Support Mode

Tech Support Mode is provided for the purposes of troubleshooting and remediation. VMware support may provide directions to use TSM in many forms including but not limited to telephone, E-mail, knowledge base articles, documentation, and remote desktop.

VMware recommends using the vSphere Client or any other VMware Administration Automation Product to perform routine ESXi host configuration tasks that do not involve a troubleshooting scenario. For scripting and automation, VMware recommends using the vCLI, PowerCLI, or the vSphere SDK instead of TSM.

TSM may be required to test and debug pre, post, or first boot scripts that are used in conjunction with the new ESXi 4.1 scripted installation feature. VMware recommends limiting testing and debugging these scripts to non-production environments prior to roll-out into production.

Enabling and Accessing Tech Support Mode

To enable local or remote TSM from the Direct Console User Interface (DCUI):

1. At the DCUI of the ESXi host, press F2 and provide credentials when prompted.


2. Scroll to Troubleshooting Options, and press Enter.


3. If you want to enable local TSM, select Local Tech Support and press Enter once. This allows users to login on the virtual console of the ESXi host.
   
   If you want to enable remote TSM, select Remote Tech Support (SSH) and press Enter once. This allows users to login via SSH on the virtual console of the ESXi host.
   


4. Optionally, if you want to configure the timeout for TSM:


5. 1. Select Modify Tech Support timeout and press Enter.
   
   
   2. Enter the desired timeout value in minutes and press Enter.
      
   
   


6. Press Esc three times to return to the main DCUI screen.

To enable local or remote TSM from the vSphere Client:

1. Select the host and click the Configuration tab.


2. Click Security profile > Properties.


3. Click Local Tech Support or Remote Tech Support (SSH) and click Options.


4. Choose the desired startup policy and click Start, then click OK.


5. Verify that the daemon selected in step 3 shows as running in the Services Properties window.

To configure the TSM timeout value using the vSphere Client:

1. Select the host and click the Configuration tab.


2. Click Advanced Settings.


3. Change the UserVars.TSMTimeOut field to the desired value in minutes.


4. Click OK.

To access the local TSM:

1. At the main DCUI screen, press ALT+F1 simultaneously. This opens a virtual console window to the host.


2. Provide credentials when prompted.
   
   Note: When typing the password, characters are not displayed on the console.

To access the remote TSM:

1. Open an SSH client.


2. Specify the IP address or domain name of the ESX host.
   
   Notes:


3. • Directions may vary depending on what SSH client you are using. For more information, consult vendor documentation and support.
   
   
   • By default, SSH works on TCP port 22.
     
   
   


4. Provide credentials when prompted.

Licensing ESX 4.x, ESXi 4.x, and vCenter Server 4.x

Licensing ESX 4.x, ESXi 4.x, and vCenter Server 4.x

Symptoms

• Unable to remove ESX 4.x/ESXi 4.x from Evaluation Mode
• Unable to upload the license file for vSphere
• Unable to connect vSphere 4.x to vCenter Server
• Unable to activate vSphere

license-vmware-products

Purpose

This article provides steps to add, assign, remove, unassign, and change the licenses of ESX 4.x, ESXi 4.x, and vCenter Server 4.x.

Resolution

You can add any number of licenses to the vSphere 4.x inventory. When assigning licenses in 4.x products, you can create a relationship between an asset and a license key. Each asset can be licensed by one and only one license key or it can be unlicensed and in Evaluation Mode.

Note: To perform these steps, your vSphere Client must be connected to the vCenter Server.

Adding License Keys
To add licenses:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.
2. Click Home. Under the Administration section, click the Licensing icon.
3. Click Manage vSphere Licenses.
4. Enter the License Key in the Enter new vSphere license keys field (one per line).
5. Include labels for new license keys as necessary.
6. Click Add License Keys.
   
   After clicking Add License Keys, you can review the license keys you added, capacity counts, expiration dates, and labels associated with the license keys.
   
7. Click Next to assign the license keys.

Assigning License Keys

To assign the license keys to vCenter Server or the ESX host:

1. Log into the vSphere Client.
2. Click Home. Under the Administration section, click the Licensing icon.
3. Choose Evaluation Mode and expand the list. Find the product you want to license.
4. Right-click on the product and choose Change License Key.
5. Assign a key from list was entered previously on Manage License window.
6. Click OK.
7. Verify the product is licensed now.
   
   Note: When the cursor is hovered over a license key in the Manage vSphere Licenses wizard displays a tool tip with all of the asset's information.

Removing License Keys

To remove license keys:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.
2. Click Home. Under the Administration section, click the Licensing icon.
3. Click Manage vSphere Licenses.
4. Click Next.
5. Click Next.
6. Choose the license key you want to remove.
7. Click Next to proceed to the confirm changes page.
   
   You can review your changes on the Confirm Changes page before applying them to your inventory.
   
8. Click Finish to apply all of the changes.

Unassigning License Keys

To unassign a license key from a vSphere ESX host, choose one of these options:

• Remove the ESX host from the vCenter Server inventory
• Add a new license key and re-license the ESX host with it. This frees the initial license key that was assigned to the host.
  Note: A license key already assigned to an ESX host cannot be removed from the inventory.

Changing License Keys

To license your product with a different license key:

1. Click Home. Under the Administration section, click the Licensing icon.
2. Expand the product you want to change the license for.
3. Right-click on the product and choose Change License Key.
4. Choose the license you want to use to license the product.
   
   Note: From this dialog you can place a product in Evaluation Mode during the first 60 days.

Licensing ESX/ESXi 

To license a standalone ESX or ESXi 4.x (vSphere Hypervisor):

1. Log in to the ESX/ESXi host using vSphere Client.
2. Click the Configuration Tab.
3. Click Licensed Features under Software.
4. Click Edit under Licensed Features.
5. Select Assign a new license key to this host.
6. Press Enter and enter the License Key.
7. Click OK.
   
   For more information on downloading and licensing the free vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi 4.x), see Downloading and licensing vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) (1012289).

Licensing vCenter Server

To license vCenter Server 4.x:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.
2. Click Home. Under the Administration section, click vCenter Server settings.
3. Select Assign a new license key to this vCenter Server and click OK.
4. Enter the license key for the vCenter Server and, if necessary, include labels.
5. Click Next and Finish.

Notes: 

• You cannot add an ESX/ESXi 4.x host to the vCenter Server if it is licensed with the free version (vSphere Hypervisor) of the license key. For related information see,  Adding an ESXi host to vCenter Server 4.0 fails with the error: Host cannot be added to the VCenter as there are not enough Virtual Center Agent Licenses (1018275)
  
• If you are managing ESX 3.x hosts on vCenter Server 4.0, ensure to select Reconfigure my ESX 3 hosts using license servers to use this server and enter the IP address of the license server in the text box. For more information, see Configuring a legacy license server to manage ESX/ESXi 3.x hosts in vCenter Server 4.0 (1010704).

Evaluation

In the evaluation mode, you can access and use all features of ESX. The evaluation period is 60 days and begins as soon as you power on the ESX machine. To make full use of the evaluation period, make an early decision on whether to use evaluation mode. If you do not enter a vSphere license key during installation, ESX is installed in the evaluation mode. 

Note: Select the evaluation option to enable the evaluation mode. You do not receive a license key for evaluating vSphere.

Downloading and licensing vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi)

Downloading and licensing vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi)

Its a Freeware Software to Download

Purpose

This article provides steps for downloading and licensing ESXi 4.x.

Resolution

Downloading ESXi 4.x

To download and activate ESXi 4.x:

1. Navigate to http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_downloads/vmware_vsphere_hypervisor_esxi/4.
2. Click Download next to VMware ESXi 4.x.
   
   Note: To access older versions, click View History.
   
3. Log in using your VMware login credentials and complete the VMware vSphere Hypervisor Registration form after which an activation email is delivered to your inbox.
4. Navigate to your email inbox to find the activation email. If you do not receive the activation email, see Not receiving activation email for evaluation and free products (1026455).
5. Click Activate your VMware ESXi License and access your download. This gives you the serial key for ESXi 4.x.

Licensing ESXi 4.x

To license a standalone vSphere Hypervisor host:

1. Log in to the ESX/ESXi host using vSphere Client.
2. Click the Configuration tab.
3. Click Licensed Features under Software.
4. Click Edit under Licensed Features.
5. Select Assign a new license key to this host.
6. Press Enter and enter the license key.
7. Click OK.
   
   Note: The free vSphere Hypervisor license key can be deployed on an unlimited number of physical hosts, but the number of deployments on physical servers cannot be more than 100. However, the number of physical servers can be increased upon request. For more information, see vSphere Hypervisor Terms and Conditions.

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Setup VMware vSphere to Access ISCSI SAN

In this example I am setting up a VMWare ESXi 4.1 server to access a VMware iSCSI SAN using the VMWare iSCSI software initiator. The server is connected as shown below

1. Enable the software iSCSI initiator

Note the vmhba number of the software iSCSI initiator – in this example vmhba39

1. Setup vSwitch

Create a Vmkernal vSwitch to be used for iSCSI

In the vSwitch properties, create Vmkernal ports for each physical interface. Note the vmk numbers.

1. Setup Vmkernal ports

In the vSwitch properties specify each Vmkernal port to use a specific adapter

1. Bind vmkernal ports

Note you will need to connect to the console to issue these commands. You will need to enable either local or remote tech support mode on ESXi.

Bind each vmkernal port to the iSCSI software initiator. You will need to know the vmk# and the vmhba# of the iSCSI initator. Run these commands in the service console.

esxcli swiscsi nic add –n vmk1 –d vmhba39 esxcli swiscsi nic add –n vmk2 –d vmhba39

1. Enable Jumbo frames (optional)

The command to enable jumbo frames is

esxcfg-vswitch -m 9000 vSwitchx – where x= switch number

Note you should only enable jumbo frames if all other devices in your storage network are configured to use jumbo frames

1. Setup iSCSI target

In the properties of the software iSCSI initatiator add the relevant info for your SAN

Add iSCSI Target

You should be prompted to rescan – please select yes.

You should now have more paths to the datastores.

To use round robin access, right click on each datastore and select manage paths. Choose Round Robin.

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