VMware vSphere Labs – Infrastructure – Setting Up Active Directory on Windows 2008 R2

This Tutorial runs through a quick overview of installing Active Directory 2008 R2 on a Windows Virtual Machines running in VMware Workstation 8. It has a Video and general instructions to help you out. Enjoy!

1. Deploy from the template
2. Configure NICS Static
3. Disable Extra NIC
4. Gateway and DNS are the Gateway list in “Virtual machine Editor”
5. Keep DNS as the secondary DNS of the Domain Controller
6. Rename machine to appropriate Computer Name to reflect your Domain Controller (sysprep gives silly names)
7. Reboot
8. Add Role from server manager
9. Select Active Directory Domain Services
10. Yes, Install the .Net Stuff….
11. Run DCPRomo.exe from powershell or within the server manager under AD role
12. Install DNS (if not you must be doing something a bit more advanced )
13. Reboot and validate you can log into AD with a Domain Account.
14. Join another Virtual Machine to the Domain

VMware vSphere Labs – Foundations – First Series

Well, I have decided to dub my basic intro into VMware workstation labs as “Foundations” . I, like many others, enjoy discussing and learning about everything. Storage, networking, what I want to achieve, what I am designing for, name a few things you will have to consider in your lab. Sure, there is the easy stand up a lab slap some storage on it, run ESXi, Build vCenter, but for the few, the proud, and the pros… we like to cover it all. This series is pretty much going to go through every bit of that. Yeah, every bit… even the crumbs from the table. So here is the outline and obviously post videos and notes on each. Duly note, that at any time I may add a few dozen more post to foundations as I embark on this journey. I am looking forward to it and I hope you do as well! (Perhaps when I get to it I will do some CommVault vs. Veeam videos when I get a chance – OH, the drama!)

1. The different kinds
2. The Downloads and what you need to know
3. VMware Workstation Storage Considerations
4. Networking Considerations and Design
5. Installing Custom VMware Workstation 8
6. Creating you windows 2008 R2 template VM in VMware Workstation 7 and 8

Yeah, I know who would’ve ever thought a lab took this much thought. It’s just good stuff to think about and if people are board well you got something to do or watch. By the way, some videos have some music others don’t. Again feedback always appreciated!

***Disclaimer: The thoughts and views expressed on VirtualNoob.wordpress.com and Chad King in no way reflect the views or thoughts of his employer or any other views of a company. These are his personal opinions which are formed on his own. Also, products improve over time and some things maybe out of date. Please feel free to contact us and request an update and we will be happy to assist. Thanks!~

VMware vSphere Labs – Foundations – VMware Workstation Storage Considerations

This video informs you of what you may or may not know about the different types of storage you can use for your VMware vSphere lab set up. Things like physical iSCSI and NFS and Virtual Storage Appliances (VSA) are important to know about and some are MIUCH cheaper than the other.

Links Show in the video:

http://www.techhead.co.uk/how-to-configure-openfiler-v23-iscsi-storage-for-use-with-vmware-esx


http://go.iomega.com/en-us/products/network-storage-desktop/storcenter-network-storage-solution/network-hard-drive-ix4-200d-cloud/?partner=4760


http://nickapedia.com/2010/05/01/celerra-vsa-uber-smaller-faster-easier-geekier/


http://thehyperadvisor.com/?p=934


http://www.vmware.com/products/datacenter-virtualization/vsphere/vsphere-storage-appliance/overview.html

***Disclaimer: The thoughts and views expressed on VirtualNoob.wordpress.com and Chad King in no way reflect the views or thoughts of his employer or any other views of a company. These are his personal opinions which are formed on his own. Also, products improve over time and some things maybe out of date. Please feel free to contact us and request an update and we will be happy to assist. Thanks!~

VMware vSphere Labs – Foundations – The Template on Workstation 7 and 8 – Windows 2008 R2

This videos covers the template we will be setting up for deploying windows server 2008 r2 from. On this template we will be installing Active Directory, DNS, vCenter Server, and a lot more stuff. At the bottom of the blog will be references for ensuring your template is supremely prepped for space and performance!

Here are both the videos one for doing it:
VMware workstation 7:

On this video I made a few mistakes… but this wouldn’t be VirtualNoob if I didn’t make a few of those.
VMware workstation 8:

Really great resource:

http://www.happysysadm.com/2010/11/vmware-windows-2008-r2-template.html

***Disclaimer: The thoughts and views expressed on VirtualNoob.wordpress.com and Chad King in no way reflect the views or thoughts of his employer or any other views of a company. These are his personal opinions which are formed on his own. Also, products improve over time and some things maybe out of date. Please feel free to contact us and request an update and we will be happy to assist. Thanks!~

VMware vSphere Labs – Foundations – Networking Considerations and Design

This how to will go into some detail of the Networking consideration for your VMware Lab. It’s all in what you want to do.

This video addresses those considerations and provides some details on how you may want to do that. If you want some resources for particular lab setup head on to the bottom.

Another Lovely Video

Networking (As seen in the video if you want to reproduce

1. Management Stack for vCloud :
2. Production stack for tenants:
3. VMnet1  192.168.240.xxx – ESXi Management Host-Only (isolated for security )
4. VMNET2 192.168.238.xxx – iSCSI (vmkernal port group and NFS will be shared)
5. VMNET3 192.168.237.xxx – vMotion
6. VMNET4 192.168.5.xxx – VM Networks for ESXi host
7. VMnet8 192.168.4.xxx – Production-MGMT

   .10 = Domain Controllers

   .20 = vCenter Servers (2 interfaces one for ESXi MGMT and Production)

   .30 = All Other systems

8. VMNET5 192.168.120.xxx – vCloud Mgmt

Other Wonderful Links on vSphere Labs and Networking Design included are SRM and vCloud Director Setups:

http://nickapedia.com/2010/10/07/lights-camera-replication-uber-srm-video-guide/


http://www.hypervizor.com/2010/09/video-guide-taking-vmware-vcloud-director-for-a-spin-and-on-the-go/


http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2010/09/13/creating-a-vcd-lab-on-your-maclaptop/


http://blog.tsugliani.fr/featured/create-your-own-virtual-vcloud-lab-part-1/


http://www.chriscolotti.us/vmware/vsphere/vmware-vcloud-in-a-box-for-your-home-lab/

***Disclaimer: The thoughts and views expressed on VirtualNoob.wordpress.com and Chad King in no way reflect the views or thoughts of his employer or any other views of a company. These are his personal opinions which are formed on his own. Also, products improve over time and some things maybe out of date. Please feel free to contact us and request an update and we will be happy to assist. Thanks!~

VMware vSphere Labs – Foundations – Downloads and knowing what you need

This video just covers the basics of what you need to download to get your vSphere Lab up and going. For more this video isn’t useful but it does address understanding Trials, how to access to products, and etc. This is covering a VMware Workstation 8 Lab set up.

Basically here is an overview of what the video covers:

1. 60 Day Trials
2. The Value of Partnerships
3. Understanding the foundation and products for building your lab
4. What to consider from a product stand point
5. #VMTNSubscription Movement

***Disclaimer: The thoughts and views expressed on VirtualNoob.wordpress.com and Chad King in no way reflect the views or thoughts of his employer or any other views of a company. These are his personal opinions which are formed on his own. Also, products improve over time and some things maybe out of date. Please feel free to contact us and request an update and we will be happy to assist. Thanks!~