"The mind of a Mad Tech!"

This article explains how to boot a VMware Virtual Machine (VM) or Virtual Applicance using a ISO / bootable media. This works with all versions of VMWare virtualization products including ESX/ESXi, Vmware Workstation and VMware Server (Discontinued).

1. Start up the Vmware vSphere session by providing your hostname or IP address, username and password.

   
    

2. Once you have logged in you will need to navigate and locate the VMware that you wish to boot from an ISO. Make sure that the VM is powered off as you will not be able to make these changes with the VM powered on. Once you have powered the VM right click on the name of the VM and click “Edit Settings”.

   

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Tags: iso, media, vmware, vsphere

This article covers both Windows workstations and servers.

Windows does not include a function that lets you mount an ISO into the Operating System, which normally would force you to convert that ISO to a CD. However there are utilities that will allow you to mount an ISO, which comes in handy, especially if you are wanting to convert CD’s to ISO’s  for transfer to your server.

Virtual Clone Drive

Virtual Clone Drive is a free to use ISO mounting utility that will work on Windows 98/XP/7/Vista and Windows 2000/2003/2008 server. You just install it and it will associate with your ISO’s which you can then can simply double click on an ISO or right click on it and choose to mount it.

Installing Virtual Clone Drive

1. You can download Virtual Clone Drive by going to http://www.slysoft.com/en/download.html. This install file works for both 32-bit and 64-bit, so there\’s no need to look for different versions of the install. Downclick the application and follow the directions.
2. Either elect to take the default assoications or choose to manually selection the associations.

   

3. You will need to specify a directory if you choose not to use the default location.

   

4. Once installed, you will need to click on the icon that was placed on your desktop or choose the application from your programs list. There you will be able to set the options for Virtual Clone Drive, such as the amount of drives to emulate and how long the mount history can be seen.

   

5. Finally to mount an ISO, you will need to click on one of the drives you created and choose “Mount”. You will then be able to browse to the ISO and mount it.

    

Now you can view the contents of the ISO now by opening the drive, just like you would with a CD or DVD.

Tags: iso, mount, Windows

*Edit* I updated this article  to include both Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 R1 / R2. The basic concept is the same just the wording is different depending on the OS.

This article explains how to make changes to how Windows 2008 R2 handles the remote desktop connections since they are left in their default configuration from the start. Please note this also can be used to make the very same changes to Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 / R1, the one difference is that Windows 2008 R2 refers to the sessions as Remote Desktop Services where Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 / R1 refer to them as Terminal Services

1. Start -> Administrative Tools -> Remote Desktop Services -> Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration or you can access it by typing in “tsconfig.msc” at the run command prompt. For Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 /R1 navigate Start -> Administrative Tools -> Terminal Services Configuration  or type “tscc.msc”
    
2. This will take you to the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration / Terminal Services Configuration  home screen. To your immediate middle will be a screen that lists your server name and the remote connections. You will need to either right click on the connection name which will be labeled “RDP-tcp Microsoft RDP 6.1″ for Windows 2008 or “RDP-tcp 5.2″ for Windows 2003 or double click on it to bring up the “RDP properties” screen.

   
    

3. In the “RDP properties” screen you will now be able to click on the “Sessions” tab and change how the server handles Disconnected” sessions, Idle Sessions and Active Sessions.

   
    

4. Once you have made your changes click “Apply” and then “Ok”. Changes made will not go into affect until a new Remote Connection is made to the server.

(This is actually an older article I wrote on another site I am assoicated with, though it’s worth a read!)

I knew it was coming for some time and there were even rumors of it, however Motorola has officially announced their new Android enabled tablets; Xoom 2 and the Xoom 2: Media Edition. While the Xoom 2: Media edition will not make it to the states, at least not yet, the Xoom 2 will and with the following features.

• 1.2GHz dual-core CPU
• 16GB Storage for XOOM 2
• Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) will be updated to Android 4.0 (Icecream Sandwich)
• Gorilla Glass display and splashguard coating.
• Rear 5MP / Front 1.3MP camera
• Wifi & Bluetooth
• Stylus
• Motorola’s MotoCast
• XOOM 2 10.1-inch HD display / XOOM 2: Media Edition 8.2-inch HD display

 

The XOOM 2 will retail for $599.99 which puts it into iPad & Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 territory, there’s no confirmed price for the XOOM 2: Media Edition yet. However here lies my issue. As an owner of the original XOOM I don’t see any real improvement over the original XOOM. The hardware specs are the same (Or less, the XOOM had a front 2.0MP camera), I can’t comment on the processor as they didn’t confirm the new processor, however it is still a dual core and no change in the cameras or display. To make matters worse, as soon as it’s released (or actually even before it’s released) it will already be outdated as the Asus Transformer Prime will be using the Nvidia Kal-EL / Tegra 3 chipset that provides 5 times more power compared to the Nvidia Tegra 2 which seems to be powering the XOOM 2.

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If you haven’t already upgraded your ESXi 4 installation to ESXi 5 (Like I haven’t)then SearchVMware has you covered.  They recent posted an article on how to upgrade your existing ESXi 4 Hosts and Vshpere Client to the new and shiny ESXi 5. Good stuff in here that you do not want to miss out on.

Source – SearchVMware.com’s How to upgrade existing VMware ESXi 4 to ESXi 5.