Creating CentOS template for vSphere ESX

I came across of online resources for creating CentOS template for vShphere/ESS, keeping here for self notes:

mentioned on this blog (http://ninet.org/2012/09/deploy-centos-6-from-vmware-template/) - Before you convert the VM to a template.

rm /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules

sed -i ‘/HWADDR*/d’ /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0

sed -i ‘/UUID*/d’ /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0

(This also applies to SLES 11 SP2 (use /etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-eth)

Another URL :https://peterpap.net/index.php/Creating_a_CentOS%5CRed_Hat_VMware_template

Windows Server 2012 template for VMware

Just used this link to create a Windows Server 2012 template for VMware. Sharing this as self note as well as for my fellow readers .

http://snowvm.com/2012/12/04/windows-server-2012-template-for-vmware/

Third Party Patching Tool from SCCM

Shavlik has released an update for their popular product SCUPdates , which is a great Thrid Party Patching form SCCM.

Here is are the list of new features has been introduced in the latest version:

Integrated plugin for the SCCM 2012 console

• View of available patches
• Select patches to publish and expire
• Smart filtering of patches based on multiple criteria (vendor, product, etc.)
• Check for and download new patch data automatically
• Publish new patches automatically based on smart filter
• Auto-detect Windows Software Update Server
• Digital Certificate management
• Handles difficult to install patches including Java
• Streamline handling of bundled patches such as Apple

Read more about this : http://windowsitpro.com/configuration-manager/shavlik-renames-scupdates-adds-features-patching-configmgr-2012

Server 2012 template for VMware vCenter and Workstation

I came across this link on how to create a Server 2012 template for VMware workstation, which can be also helpful in case we have vSphere and vCenter:

Part 1: http://willcode4foodblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/creating-a-server-2012-golden-image-with-sysprep-and-vmware-workstation/

Part 2: http://willcode4foodblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/creating-a-server-2012-golden-image-with-sysprep-and-vmware-workstation-part-2-of-2/

While running sysprep  you might see this error “A fatal error occurred while trying to sysprep the machine” .

This is a know issue and Microsoft has released a Hotfix for it.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2693187

More info:
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2036372

Load testing tools for VDI Environments

Here is a list of useful links you can refer to get some idea on how we can measure the performance of a VDI Environment and what are load testing tools for VDI available in  the market :

1. http://www.loginvsi.com/download
2. http://www.aspen-systems.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/LoginVSI%20-%20No%20More%20VDI%20Performance%20Problems.pdf 
3. http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/tip/Virtual-desktop-toolbox-VDI-performance-monitoring-capabilities
4. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=2218

I will add more links as I progress with my DVI study…thanks for stopping by.