MAX 5 is an industry-first technology from IBM that decouples memory from the processor, eliminating the need to buy another server to support memory-intensive workloads and dramatically changing the economics of the x86 server market.
MAX 5 memory scaling technology
Posted in Hardware | Tagged MAX5 | Leave a Comment »
IBM unveiled earlier this month their new eX5 enterprise class system which gives more scalable, workload-tuned computing on the x86 platform.
IBM System x3850 X5 with MAX 5 memory scaling technology
MAX5 – Unprecedented memory expansion with the external MAX5 memory chassis, decoupling server memory from system processors to allow you to optimize your server performance
eXFlash – Get dramatically faster I/O, with greater storage density and improved reliability
FlexNode – Gain the ability to re-deploy your server on a project-by-project basis for superior asset utilization and workload management
Scalability – Updating IBM’s innovative ‘pay-as-you-grow’ capability by enabling all eX5 servers to scale
Workload optimized systems – Delivering specific workload-tuned models to minimize your time to value by leveraging IBM’s industry expertise
Going beyond the industry standards with unique innovations, the new IBM BladeCenter® HX5 offers unparalleled value for your business critical applications. HX5 delivers unprecedented compute performance, memory footprint and I/O bandwidth to enable maximum utilization in a blade form factor for compute- and memory-intensive enterprise workloads.
IBM BladeCenter® HX5 is a scalable, high-performance blade server with unprecedented compute and memory performance, and flexibility ideal for compute and memory-intensive enterprise workloads. The HX5 features:
HX5 Blade
For more info, visit IBM page here
News release here
eX5 Family
Posted in Hardware | Tagged HX5, IBM eX5 | Leave a Comment »
As a side-track while I am waiting on the vSphere Enterprise Admin exam release (the Beta release is expected some time during April), and something from my other IT passion (Information Security), I have opted to do the OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) course offered by Offensive-Security.com (www.offensive-security.com).
Below are the details about the course:
The OSCP, or Offensive Security Certified Professional, is one of the world’s first completely hands on information security certifications. The OSCP challenges the students to prove they have a clear understanding the concepts of the Pentesting With BackTrack material, as well as a depth of knowledge in penetration testing.
A lab that the student never has seen before is set up with only a limited amount of machines. Each machine is awarded points if a successful hack is performed. The student must demonstrate their depth of understanding by submitting both the steps they took to penetrate the box as well as the proof.txt file. If both of these are submitted the students receives points for that particular box. If they achieve the points they need they can stop and pass or continue on to try and penetrate the whole network.
The OSCP is a twenty four hour exam, where a straight 24-hour period is given to that student to attempt this certification. It is a very difficult and challenging exam that will truly test the limits of the student. If a passing score is achieved the student is awarded a coveted OSCP certification.
The course start date is March 9th.. really looking forward to it 
even a 24hr exam lol!
Posted in Certification, Security | Tagged Offensive Security, OSCP | 1 Comment »
From Scott Vessey’s blog:
First VCDX4 signs I was sent a survey by VMware last week asking me for my opinions on the vSphere Enterprise Administration exam that will form part of the VCDX4 certification. I completed the survey as requested, and it definitely gives an insight into the content that will form the exam when it is released. The basis for the exam blueprint is clear from the various topics asked about in the survey. Jon Hall from VMware also created a post on the VCP community forum about the survey I also listened to a 5-month old VMware Communties Roundtable recording (right-click to save the MP3) this week where Jon Hall was asked questions about VCDX4 (as well as VCP4 but that’s all old news now). One of the things that Jon said that I hadn’t heard before is that VCDX3 holders will only need to pass the vSphere Design exam in order to “upgrade” their certifications to VCDX4. Jon also said that the Enterprise Administration exam for vSphere would be available around now, I can’t imagine we’re that far away from seeing it – a few weeks perhaps.
Link: http://vmwaretraining.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-vcdx4-signs.html
Posted in Certification | Tagged VCDX4 | Leave a Comment »
From our TAM:
VMware VirtualCenter Server 2.5 Update 6 is now available. This update provides the following improvements:
For details regarding the new fixes and improvements, please refer to the release notes.
VirtualCenter Server 2.5 Update 6 is available for download.
For details regarding compatibility, please view vSphere Compatibility Matrixes.
Posted in General | Tagged vCenter Update | Leave a Comment »
Does the acronym PSOD send chills down your spine? Here’s a video which provides some understanding as to what a purple diagnostics screen (PSOD) means, and what it can tell you.
Watch the VMware KB Video here
Posted in Troubleshooting | Tagged mce, PSOD | Leave a Comment »
Today VMware announced end of availability of its ESX product range pre-vSphere.
For more info see the announcement here
————————
What does Extended and Technical support mean?
New hardware platforms are no longer supported, new guest OS updates may or may not be applied, and bug fixes are limited to critical issues. Critical bugs are deviations from specified product functionality that cause data corruption, data loss, system crash, or significant customer application down time and there is no work-around that can be implemented.
Primary assistance is available through the self help page. Customers can also open a support request online to receive support and workarounds for low-severity issues on supported configurations only. (Telephone support is not provided.) There will be no new hardware support, guest OS updates, security patches or bug fixes. The phase is intended for usage by customers operating in stable environments with systems that are operating under reasonably stable loads.
Posted in ESX / ESXi, General | Tagged Support | Leave a Comment »
A great tool released this month for analysing ESXTOP data collected in batch mode. Details from the site:
esxplot is a GUI application that lets you explore the data collected by esxtop in batch mode. The program takes a single command line argument which is the esxtop batch mode output file. You can also simply start esxplot without any arguments, and enter a dataset file via the File attribute of the menu bar. Esxplot loads the data in this file and presents the metrics as a hierarchical tree where the values are selectable in the left panel. In the right panel, a graph is plotted (value over time) of the selected metric, in this way, you can “browse” the contents of these somewhat unwieldy files.
Check it out here for more information.
Posted in Troubleshooting | Tagged ESXPLOT, esxtop | 1 Comment »
Just released by VMware – a public draft of the security hardening guide for vSphere:
Posted in Security | Tagged Hardening guide | Leave a Comment »
From the site:
VMware Virtualization Forum 2010 is a free, interactive full day event where you will learn about virtual infrastructure from experts and companies like yours.
You’ll hear from companies of all sizes discuss their virtualization solutions for everything from the desktop to the data center.
Give IT a break. Imagine the day when IT can shift its focus from maintenance to driving efficiency and innovation — and help grow the business. And imagine doing this while fully optimizing financial resources throughout IT, shifting human energy and conserving the earth’s energy.
Rest assured. VMware and its Partners get you there. From the datacenter to the desktop, out to the cloud. Don’t miss your change and see how VMware delivers the world’s most trusted, flexible and dynamic solutions for Business Infrastructure Virtualization.
Site link: http://www.vmware-forum.com/vforum
I’ll be attending the London forum.
Posted in General | Tagged Forum 2010 | Leave a Comment »
