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.

The Benefits of Using Gmail with Microsoft Outlook

Ever since Google added IMAP support in Gmail, I have almost stopped visiting the Gmail website and manage all my email inside Microsoft Outlook.
Though Outlook with Gmail IMAP can sometimes become painfully slow, there are still plenty of reasons to continue using Outlook as a Gmail Message Reader - you get less spam, more storage space and more.
1. Get more storage space in Gmail

Microsoft Outlook lets you search emails based on the size of the message.
Therefore you can easily discover emails that clog your Gmail Inbox and delete them inside Outlook -the bulky message will immediately disappear from Gmail servers too.
Cleaning up the inbox was extremely inconvenient when Gmail provided only POP3 access.
2. Double Protection from Spam
Gmail spam filters are excellent but not perfect so spam can still sneak into your Inbox.
Now Microsoft too provides their own junk email filters in Outlook so the chances are very high that spam which manages to fool Gmail will get caught by Outlook Junk email filters.
Google and Microsoft are technically not working together to build a common email spam management solution but with Outlook and Gmail, you indirectly get the best of both worlds.
3. Learn About the Sender from LinkedIn
The excellent LinkedIn Toolbar for Outlook adds a small "info" link to each of your email messages.
You can hover the mouse over this link to learn more about sender of the email provided he or she has a profile on LinkedIn.
Once you start using this LinkedIn feature in Outlook, you'll almost get addicted to it. Sometimes I find it more efficient than Googling a person's name.
4. Right-Click and Block Email Senders
Though you can create rules in Gmail to automatically route email to the Trash or Spam folder, Outlook makes it all the more simple - you can right click any email message and say "Add Sender to Blocked Senders List".
Alternatively, you can block email from entire web domains (abc.com) or Top Level Domains (like .ru or .cn) in simple steps.
Related: Effective Gmail Search Commands
5. Import pictures of your Outlook/Gmail Contacts from Facebook
This is one of my favorites - you get an email in Gmail, it downloads to your Outlook account, you add that person to your address book and then import his/her photograph, website URL and other details from Facebook using any of the Facebook-Outlook sync services.
You can then sync your Outlook contacts with your BlackBerry or other smart phones. Very useful.
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Bonus Tip: You don't need any hacks for creating rich email signatures in Gmail - Outlook will do that for you.

Easily Transfer Emails from Hotmail to Gmail Via Outlook Connector

Make that switch from Windows Live Hotmail to Gmail but the problem is how to move old Hotmail email messages and folders to the new Gmail address ? Hotmail doesn't support IMAP or POP3 and it will take years to manually forward individual emails from Hotmail to Gmail.

No worries, there's a wonderful solution that costs $0 and comes from Microsoft itself - its the Office Outlook connector and works with Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007.

Here's a step by step guide on moving emails from Hotmail to Gmail via Outlook:
1. Install the Outlook connector and then configure your MSN Hotmail / Windows Live Hotmail accounts with Outlook.
2. Once you have all your Hotmail email message available locally inside Outlook, configure Gmail IMAP access inside Outlook.
3. Now copy or just drag-n-drop the Hotmail folders (downloaded in Step 1) over your Gmail Inbox folder in Outlook. Its the same migration procedure as described in a previous tutorial - Backup Outlook Email to Gmail.
As your Outlook synchronizes with Gmail, all your Hotmail messages will become available inside Gmail as well. And if you have multiple Hotmail accounts, this trick will help you consolidate email messages from all those account at one place.
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Export and Backup Emails from Outlook to Gmail Online

 

Looking for a trick to archive all Outlook email messages (and folders) to his online Gmail account for two reasons - one is secure backup and two, he will be able toaccess his old emails from any computer.

Solution: It is quite easy to transfer Outlook emails to your Gmail mailbox. Here's a step by step guide:

Step 1: Enable IMAP in your Gmail account and then configure Outlook (or Outlook Express or Windows Live Mail) to sync with your Gmail address via IMAP. Read this guide.

Step 2: Import your Outlook PST file into a Personal folder that is different from your default Gmail Inbox.

To import, click File -> Import And Export -> Import from another program or file. -> Next -> Personal Folder File (.pst) -> Next.

Select the PST file that contains your email, then pick the email folders that you want to import in Outlook and clickFinish.

Step 3: Select the Personal folders that you want to backup online and copy them your Gmail Folder in Outlook (see screenshot).

In the Folder List, right-click the folder you want to copy and click Copy Folder name. Click the Gmail Folder in Outlook to copy that folder in that location. You can repeat the steps as needed for other folders.

That's it. Your Outlook email will soon become available inside your online Gmail Inbox.

If your switching from Hotmail to Gmail, check this tutorial on moving emails from Hotmail to Gmail.

Caution: The migration from Outlook to Gmail can take a long time if you have very large Outlook pst file or if your internet connection speed is slow. Therefore, consider removing all large emails before moving them to your Gmail via IMAP.

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Check Hotmail Email Using the Office Outlook Connector

While Hotmail doesn't offer POP3 access, Microsoft has released a free utility called Microsoft Office Outlook Connector that allows you download email from your Windows Live Hotmail account to local Outlook or Outlook Express.
With Outlook Connector, you can not only send or receive email - you get all the goodies of Outlook including the Junk Mail filter and powerful Rules Wizard of Outlook to help you auto-sort the incoming email.
To configure your Outlook with Windows Live Hotmail, just download the 3 MB Outlook Connector, type in your Hotmail username+password and you're done.
The best part is that if you have multiple accounts, you can manage them from one central location - your Outlook. Supports both Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007.
Get Outlook Connector here. [outlookconnector.exe] Requires Windows Validation check.

Use Gmail IMAP in Microsoft Outlook 2007

We’ve all been hearing about the new IMAP support in Gmail, but how do we access that from Outlook? Those of you that have been waiting patiently will be happy to know all the instructions are on this page.
Using IMAP we can synchronize email across multiple devices, since the mail stays on the server. You already stopped reading this part and skipped down to the instructions, didn’t you?
Enable IMAP in Gmail Settings
Open your Settings panel in Gmail, and then click on the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab.

Now click the Enable IMAP radio button, and click Save Changes.
Add Account to Outlook
Use the Tools menu you to open the Account Settings panel.

If this is your first account you’ll be prompted for the wizard, otherwise you’ll need to click the New button under the E-mail tab.

Now select the “Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP or HTTP” option and hit next.

Select the checkbox for “Manually configure server settings” and everything on that page will gray out. Hit the next button again.

Now select “Internet E-mail”  (Didn’t we just do this? This wizard is taking too long…)

Finally we can enter some settings! Add in all your personal information here.

Note: If you are outside of the US you may need to use imap.googlemail.com and smtp.googlemail.com instead of imap.gmail.com and smtp.gmail.com.
Note: for Gmail Apps accounts, you’ll need to put in your full email address wherever you see an @gmail.com above. For instance, if your account was geek@howtogeek.com you would put that in the E-mail address field as well as the User Name field.
Click on the “More Settings” button and find the Outgoing Server tab, where you’ll need to check the box for “My outgoing server requires authentication”

Now choose the Advanced tab, and enter the following values (Very important)

• Incoming Server: 993


• Incoming Server encrypted connection: SSL


• Outgoing Server: 587


• Outgoing Server encrypted connection: TLS

Note: If you are having an issue with your sent email not showing up in Gmail, you can use the Folders tab, and then select the [Gmail] \ Sent Mail folder.
Note: Only do this step if your mail is not showing up, otherwise it will duplicate the sent mail.

Now that you’ve closed out that dialog, you can click the Test Account Settings button to make sure everything is going to work.

If all goes well, you should see a success message.

Note: Some ISPs restrict outgoing mail, so if you have a problem sending a test message you’ll need to consult with their documentation.
Accessing Your Mail
Now that everything is working you’ll notice a new set of folders for your Gmail account. (I’m using Gmail apps, which is why you don’t see an @gmail.com email address)
All of your labels will show up as separate folders, and the built-in “folders” in Gmail will be under the new [Gmail] folder.

 
Outlook Flags = Gmail Stars
If you want to star a message in Gmail, you just need to flag it in Outlook. When I flagged this message from Mysticgeek…

 
It shows up in Gmail as a starred message. (And it works the other way too)

Sending Email from Outlook
To send a new email from your Gmail account, just change the “Account” drop-down to your Gmail address before you send a message.

Note that if you only use Gmail, you won’t have this drop-down and it will default to your Gmail.
Final Thoughts
Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Gmail Labels = Outlook Folders. To label a message, add it to a folder.


• Gmail Stars = Outlook Flags.


• Do Not move spam messages to the “Junk E-mail” folder in Outlook, move them to the [Gmail] \ Spam folder.


• Outlook has a built-in Search Folder for “Large Mail”, which will let you easily find messages with large attachments.

Now that you can access your starred and labeled messages, you can start using Outlook’s excellent Search Folders to find messages more easily.

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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.