For more information, here is a direct link to the SANsymphony information on DataCore’s website.

http://www.datacore.com/Software/Products/SANsymphony-V.aspx

Here is a video interview of me while I was at DataCore headquarters recently.

http://storagetv.org/datacore/testvideo.php?vidkey=168

www.mirazon.com

Upon accomplishing VMware Certified Professional on VMware vSphere 4 (VCP4) you are eligible to pursue our intermediate level certification: VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP). Available in Datacenter Administration (DCA) and/or Datacenter Design (DCD), this program is appropriate for VCP4s that are ready to further enhance their skills with the virtual infrastructure and add new, industry-recognized credentials to their list of accomplishments.

VCAP4 – Datacenter Administration

Gain industry recognition for your technical leadership in the planning and administration of vSphere technologies. Learn more about VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Datacenter Administration certification and get started today.

VCAP4-DCA exam opens July 12!

VCAP4 – Datacenter Design

Gain recognition for technical leadership in data center design methodologies and principles of vSphere technologies. Learn more about VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Datacenter Design certification and get started today.

VCAP4-DCD exam opens in August!

Source: VMware Education Service

High Availability – Where is your weakest link

I find the primary focus for investment is in Server hardware and software, utilizing server virtualization, clustering and image based backup solutions to provide redundancy/recover-ability for business applications. Many area’s are overlooked and ofter become the Achilles’ heel of IT environments.

Let talk about centralized storage;
While many are quick to invest in multiple servers to build redundancy and “spread the risk” in their IT infrastructure they are complacent when it come to placing their critical data (which without, your servers have no use) on a “single box” array. Yes they are highly available with “internal redundancy” but are a single point of failure and are susceptible to outages, planed or unplanned more often that not, caused by “environment” issues such as power, cooling, air quality, water, building.

The next logical focus is “Disaster Recovery” capabilities, however there is a great deal of complexity and cost associated with having to plan, build, and maintain a business continuity plan, it involves applications, data, hardware, communications, key personnel, facilities.

Doesn’t it seem logical that if there was a product or technology available that allows higher levels of storage availability to be achieved at the production site (or sites) it would be remiss not to consider them first before looking at the complexities of IT disaster recovery capabilities?
What if your critical data could exist in two places at once? geographically separated (whether by racks, rooms, building or states), managed as one and provide transparent IO fail-over and fail-back for all of your application servers?

Surely that would be worth considering?

DataCore Software’s core solution architecture is built around this capabilities, it is called “High Availability, synchronous mirroring” and provides the following benefits;

• physical separation of storage controllers 
• physical separation of back-end disk systems
• Automated fail-over and fail-back
• is transparent to the application servers
• mirrored cache protection / consistency 

Storage Virtualization: A peek at the 3rd dimension

Virtualization projects are 3 dimensional. Server and desktop virtualization software address two of those dimensions. DataCore storage virtualization software comprises the 3rd dimension.

Dan Crowe of DataCore at Synergy 2010 http://www.citrix.com/tv/#videos/2180

Citrix TV talks to Bettye Grant from DataCore about the partnership with Citrix.  http://www.citrix.com/tv/#videos/2153

From XenServer to GoToAssist.  They can virtualize anything….  Servers, Desktops, Apps, Meetings, Support.  And best yet, they can give you access to your virtualized world from practically any device.  Windows, Mac, Linux, Thin client, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry to name a few….

Citrix has always focused on the user experience and their approach to virtualization encompasses just that.  Making sure the user experience is always at the center of attention.  Their HDX protocol goes a long way to enable IT departments to win over the user base to VDI.  The biggest challenges we have faced when doing VDI deployments with venders other than Citrix is the user always feels they are being slighted in some way.  That is not the case with Citrix VDI deployments.  The users feel as if what they are getting is as good or many times better than what they had and things just work they are supposed to.  They key to a successful VDI deployment is happy users in the end.

Just create a new folder and rename it to this GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} and that is it.

Check out this great article over on Ina Frieds Blog for full details.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10423985-56.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

http://virtualgeek.typepad.com/virtual_geek/2009/12/an-important-vsphere-4-storage-bug-and-workaround.html

Common behavior:

1. They want to remove a LUN from a vSphere 4 cluster
2. They move or Storage vMotion the VMs off the datastore who is being removed (otherwise, the VMs would hard crash if you just yank out the datastore)
3. After removing the LUN, VMs on OTHER datastores would become unavailable (not crashing, but becoming periodically unavailable on the network)
4. the ESX logs would show a series of errors starting with “NMP”

Examples of the error messages include:

“NMP: nmp_DeviceAttemptFailover: Retry world failover device “naa._______________” – failed to issue command due to Not found (APD)”“NMP: nmp_DeviceUpdatePathStates: Activated path “NULL” for NMP device “naa.__________________”.

This is affecting multiple storage vendors (suggesting an ESX-side issue).  You can see the VMTN thread on this here. 

Here’s what’s happening, and the workaround options:

When a LUN supporting a datastore becomes unavailable, the NMP stack in vSphere 4 attempts failover paths, and if no paths are available, an APD (All Paths Dead) state is assumed for that device (starts a different path state detection routine).   If after that you do a rescan, periodically VMs on that ESX host will lose network connectivity and become non-responsive.  

This is a bug, and a known bug.   

What was commonly happening in these cases was that the customer was changing LUN masking or zoning in the array or in the fabric, removing it from all the ESX hosts before removing the datastore and the LUN in the VI client.   It is notable that this could also be triggered by anything making the LUN inaccessible to the ESX host – intentional, outage, or accidental.

Workaround 1

This workaround falls under “operational excellence”.   The sequence of operations here is important – the issue only occurs if the LUN is removed while the datastore and disk device are expected by the ESX host.   The correct sequence for removing a LUN backing a datastore.

1. In the vSphere client, vacate the VMs from the datastore being removed (migrate or Storage vMotion)
2. In the vSphere client, remove the Datastore
3. In the vSphere client, remove the storage device
4. Only then, in your array management tool remove the LUN from the host.
5. In the vSphere client, rescan the bus.

Workaround 2 (only available in ESX/ESXi 4 u1)

This workaround is available only in update 1, and changes what the vmkernel does when it detects this APD state for a storage device, basically just immediately failing to open a datastore volume if the device’s state is APD.  Since it’s an advanced parameter change – I wouldn’t make this change unless instructed by VMware support.

esxcfg-advcfg -s 1 /VMFS3/FailVolumeOpenIfAPD

Again all credit for documenting this go to the Virtual Geek blog….  http://virtualgeek.typepad.com/virtual_geek/2009/12/an-important-vsphere-4-storage-bug-and-workaround.html

—————————————————————————————————–

Update 1:

Has VMware fixed the ADP issue?  Maybe, only time will tell.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1016291

I have modified that script to work with Exchange 2010.  Enjoy.  Copy and paste into a .ps1 file and run from the Exhange Comand Shell.

# Script to allow you to set all virtual directories to a common name like mail.company.com

Start-Transcript

# Variables

[string]$UMExtend = “/UnifiedMessaging/Service.asmx”
[string]$OWAExtend = “/OWA”
[string]$OABExtend = “/OAB”
[string]$SCPExtend = “/Autodiscover/Autodiscover.xml”
[string]$EWSExtend = “/EWS/Exchange.asmx”
[string]$ECPExtend = “/ECP”
[string]$ConfirmPrompt = “Set this Value? (Y/N)”
[string]$NoChangeForeground = “white”
[string]$NoChangeBackground = “red”

Write-host “This will allow you to set the virtual directories associated with setting up a single SSL certificate to work with Exchange 2010.”
Write-host “”
[string]$base = Read-host “Base name of virtual directory (e.g. mail.company.com)”
write-host “”
# =======================================================
# Validate if a third party trusted certificate is being used
# because BITS won’t use untrusted certificates
[string]$set = Read-host “Is the certificate being used an internally generated certificate? (Y/N)”
Write-host “”

if ($set -eq “Y”)    {
    [string]$OABprefix = “http://”
}    else    {
    [string]$OABprefix = “https://”
}

# =======================================================
# Build the Autodiscover URL and set the SCP Value

Write-host “Setting Autodiscover Service Connection Point” -foregroundcolor Yellow
write-host “”

$SCPURL = “https://” + $base + $SCPExtend

[array]$SCPCurrent = Get-ClientAccessServer

Foreach ($value in $SCPCurrent) {
    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.name
    Write-host “Current SCP value: ” $value.AutoDiscoverServiceInternalUri.absoluteuri
    Write-host “New SCP Value:     ” $SCPURL
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”
   
    if ($set -eq “Y”)    {
         Set-ClientAccessServer -id $value.identity -AutoDiscoverServiceInternalUri $SCPURL
    }    else {
        write-host “Autodiscover Service Connection Point internal value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }
}

# =======================================================
# Build the EWS URL and set the internal Value

Write-host “Setting Exchange Web Services Virtual Directories” -foregroundcolor Yellow
write-host “”

$EWSURL = “https://” + $base + $EWSExtend

[array]$EWSCurrent = Get-WebServicesVirtualDirectory

Foreach ($value in $EWSCurrent) {
    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current Internal Value: ” $value.internalURL
    Write-host “New Internal Value:     ” $EWSUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”)    {
        Set-WebServicesVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -InternalURL $EWSURL
     } else {
        write-host “Exchange Web Services Virtual Directory internal value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
     }

    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current External Value: ” $value.externalURL
    Write-host “New External Value:     ” $EWSUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”)    {
        Set-WebServicesVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -ExternalURL $EWSURL
    } else {
        write-host “Exchange Web Services Virtual Directory external value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }
}

# ======================================================
# Build the OAB URL and set the internal Value

Write-host “Setting OAB Virtual Directories” -foregroundcolor Yellow
write-host “”

$OABURL = $OABprefix + $base + $OABExtend

[array]$OABCurrent = Get-OABVirtualDirectory

Foreach ($value in $OABcurrent) {
    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current Internal Value: ” $value.internalURL
    Write-host “New Internal Value:     ” $OABUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”)    {
        Set-OABVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -InternalURL $OABURL
    } else {
        write-host “OAB Virtual Directory internal value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }

    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current External Value: ” $value.externalURL
    Write-host “New External Value:     ” $OABUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”) {
        Set-OABVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -ExternalURL $OABURL
    } else {
        write-host “OAB Virtual Directory external value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }
}

# =======================================================
# Build the UM URL and set the internal Value

Write-host “Setting UM Virtual Directories” -foregroundcolor Yellow
write-host “”

$UMURL = “https://” + $base + $UMExtend

[array]$UMCurrent = Get-UMVirtualDirectory

foreach ($value in $UMCurrent) {
    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current Internal Value: ” $value.internalURL
    Write-host “New Internal Value:     ” $UMUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”) {
        Set-UMVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -InternalURL $UMURL
    } else {
        write-host “UM Virtual Directory internal value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }

    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current External Value: ” $value.externalURL
    Write-host “New External Value:     ” $UMUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”) {
        Set-UMVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -ExternalURL $UMURL
    } else {
        write-host “UM Virtual Directory external value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }
}

# =======================================================
# Build the ECP URL and set the internal Value

Write-host “Setting ECP Virtual Directories” -foregroundcolor Yellow
write-host “”

$ECPURL = “https://” + $base + $ECPExtend

[array]$ECPCurrent = Get-ECPVirtualDirectory

foreach ($value in $ECPCurrent) {
    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current Internal Value: ” $value.internalURL
    Write-host “New Internal Value:     ” $ECPUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”) {
        Set-ECPVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -InternalURL $ECPURL
    } else {
        write-host “ECP Virtual Directory internal value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }

    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current External Value: ” $value.externalURL
    Write-host “New External Value:     ” $ECPUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”) {
        Set-ECPVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -ExternalURL $ECPURL
    } else {
        write-host “ECP Virtual Directory external value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }
}

# =======================================================
# Build the OWA URL and set the internal Value

Write-host “Setting OWA Virtual Directories” -foregroundcolor Yellow
write-host “”

$OWAURL = “https://” + $base + $OWAExtend

[array]$OWACurrent = Get-OWAVirtualDirectory

foreach ($value in $OWACurrent) {
    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current Internal Value: ” $value.internalURL
    Write-host “New Internal Value:     ” $OWAUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”) {
        Set-OWAVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -InternalURL $OWAURL
    } else {
        write-host “OWA Virtual Directory internal value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }

    Write-host “Looking at Server: ” $value.server
    Write-host “Current External Value: ” $value.externalURL
    Write-host “New External Value:     ” $OWAUrl
    [string]$set = Read-host $ConfirmPrompt
    write-host “”

    if ($set -eq “Y”) {
        Set-OWAVirtualDirectory -id $value.identity -ExternalURL $OWAURL
    } else {
        write-host “OWA Virtual Directory external value NOT changed” -foregroundcolor $NoChangeForeground -backgroundcolor $NoChangeBackground
    }
}

End-Transcript