If you ever wanted to enter (or exit) the VMware ESX Maintenance Mode, you can do this using the VIMSH command. See below:

- To Enter Maintenance Mode on ESX HOST:
vimsh -n -e /hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter

- To Exit Maintenance Mode on ESX HOST:
vimsh -n -e /hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit

Thanks,
Will

Want to rename a VM guest?!? Sure you can manually edit the *.vmx, *.vmdk files --- but here is an easier way:

#1) Shutdown your VM guest.
#2) Right click, then Rename in Virtual Center.
#3) Right click, then choose Migrate.... Do a "cold" migration to another Datastore with enough space for your VM guest files, *.vmx *.vmdk's, etc.
#4) After this finishes, you can move back to the original location, if you want.. -- All of your VM guests files will be properly renamed.
#5) Power on your VM guest.

* Only thing you have to watch is to make sure you have enough free disk space on the Datastore you are moving to.

Thanks,
Will

HGFS is disabled in the host (on boot, in logs, when restarting NFS/mounts)

SR Description: Getting error on a Linux VM guest, kernal vmware HGFS, HGFS is disabled in the host.

*** HGFS mounts allow the VM guest to connect to a share hosted on the ESX server/host. It is installed when the VMware Tools service is installed. This is a non-essential process and can be removed from /etc/fstab on the VM guest.

You can comment out the line that starts with .hosts...

Thanks,
Will

Head on over to: http://www.wsellers.com/2009/01/video-windows-70-beta-first-look/ --- and take a quick first look at Microsoft Windows 7.0 Beta!!!

Today, I successfully installed VMware Fusion on my Macbook Pro----then installed a Virtual-Center server and two ESX3.5 servers in a VM guest, running in Fusion. It was really easy. I initially installed 3.5 Update 3----but had issues with installing the VPXA agent. I downgraded to 3.5 Update 2 with NO problems.

I'll getting a copy of iShowU in the next few days; and will be doing a screencast to show everyone.

*** Update: Here is the video:
Viddler: http://www.viddler.com/explore/wsellers/videos/1/
Blip.TV: http://blip.tv/file/1636998

Coming soon... Hear the lastest news about VMware products, best practices, etc.
Also, listen to interviews with LA tech leaders on how they leverage virtualization.

- Will

*** CRITICAL PATCH: Broadcom NICs - Issue with virtual NIC after VMotion. ***

I'll be posting more about this in the forum.
For any immediate questions, please call: 225-907-4156.
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&exte...
http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=650889&#650889

Brief: VM guests NICS go "Network cable unplugged" after VMotion.

Will

*** Update *** Due to lack of people signing up, VMware has cancelled the "Deploy, Secure, & Analyze Class"

-----
We are sorry to announce that the Baton Rouge VMware Infrastructure 3: Deploy, Secure & Analyze training on 5/1/2007 has been cancelled. The next available class is in Dallas on May 8th or in Nashville on May 15th.

Please contact our education department at your earliest convenience to make other arrangements. If you had already paid for your registration with a credit card we have credited the funds back to that card.

Sincerely,
Education Team
VMware

A seminar titled "VMware Infrastructure for Rapid and Cost-Effective Disaster Recovery" is being held in New Orleans on March 1st.

Go here http://info.vmware.com/content/dr to register.

I hope to see you there.

Jase

If you are interested in a more advanced VI3 class, please checkout: http://mylearn1.vmware.com/mgrreg/courses.cfm?ui=www&a=det&id_course=648...

I am trying to get a class scheduled in Baton Rouge (currently the closest is Houston, TX). If you are interested, PLEASE email "lavmug@gmail.com"

Thanks,
Will