The latest version (v6.3) of EMC’s Virtual Storage Integrator (VSI) plug-in for VMware vCenter is now available to download for free from EMC's support portal. What is a VSI plug-in? If you're running EMC storage, or are thinking of implementing some EMC storage in the future, then definitely check out my earlier blog post which runs through what the EMC VSI plugin is and the functionality and benefits that it can offer (keeping in mind this was for the pre-web based version of vCenter). In … [Read more...]
Lenovo EMC/Iomega PX NAS Update – New Look UI
An update (4.1.102.29716) for the Lenovo/Iomega PX range of NAS devices is now available. This update is significant as it dramatically changes the look and feel of the PX devices web management interface, along with providing the following updates: New user-friendly setup sequence walks users through configuring basic device settings and commonly used options for Business or Home profiles. Includes optional guided tour for first-time users. NAS device is automatically secured during device … [Read more...]
EMC Storage Simulators for your lab – Free!
Fancy running your own EMC Isilon, VNX, VNXe or ViPR installation in your own lab environment, to try out, trial and/or educate yourself with? If so, you’ve come to the right post! Here I provide the links to virtual instance simulators that are free to download, install, configure and use – plus there are no time restrictions on any of them! There is plenty of learning and fun to be had with trying out and running these EMC storage simulators in your own lab. I will be … [Read more...]
Get Your Own EMC Support Portal Logon in 3 Easy Steps
This post outlines how to get your own EMC.com support portal logon account in three easy steps! Once you have created an account and have logged on you then have access to a wealth of technical, marketing and most excitingly, EMC product simulators, Virtual Storage Appliances (VSA) and VMware Virtual Storage Integrator (VSI) plugins for EMC’s various storage platforms. Having access to the EMC support portal is more exciting than ever with EMC releasing more and more (albeit … [Read more...]
EMC World 2014 Hands on Labs (vLab)–What to Expect
I unfortunately won’t be making it to EMC World (#EMCWorld) this year (2014) due to my recent “life adventure”, though for the past 3 years I have been part of a team, including EMC business units, who have been responsible for pulling together the EMC World Hands on Labs (HOL) experience. This has always proven to be an exciting, at times challenging, though ultimately a rewarding experience. Virtualizing the various hardware appliances in EMC’s portfolio and then wrapping a … [Read more...]
VMworld San Francisco 2013 – vBeers Coolness
Well here we are, another VMworld is almost upon us. With VMworld San Francisco, comes another opportunity to hold a vBeers Community meet up, where myself and fellow vGeeks get a chance to catch up and talk with our peers and friends,new and old. This year vBeers VMworld is back at The Chieftain Irish Bar on 5th Street (about a 5 minute walk from the Moscone) which has proven to be a great place to hold it over the past few years. For more details on when, where and how check out the … [Read more...]
EMC VNX Simulator (VSA)–How to download the latest version
How to download the latest version of the EMC VNX Simulator (VSA): Here’s a quick guide that shows you how to get hold of and download the latest EMC VNX Simulator (VSA). For those of you who are not familiar with it, the physical EMC VNX is a unified storage appliance with both file and block storage capabilities, can contain Flash and SAS based storage, and provides connectivity either via Fiber and/or Ethernet (NAS). It also harnesses some pretty useful and powerful technologies such as … [Read more...]
DCI #8 EMC Backup & Recovery with Alex Almeida
Alex Almeida is the Senior Technical Manager from EMC’s Backup & Recovery Systems Division, and a backup guy from way-back. With the recent big announcements from EMC around most of its backup and recovery products I thought this would be an excellent time to get Alex on the podcast to talk through some of the new features and enhancements from the announcement. We also cover the topics of how EMC has stayed ahead of the curve regarding backup and recover over the years, along with the … [Read more...]
DCI #7 – Data Center Insiders Podcast with Chad Sakac
In this episode of the Data Center Insiders podcast I speak with the one and only Virtual Geek, Chad Sakac. As always I enjoy my conversations with Chad and his excellent knowledge of technology and the IT industry on the whole. We cover a wide range of topics including: - Life after creating the vSpecialist organization: Chad talks about his new role as EMC’s Senior Vice President of the Global SEs, and the challenges in scaling the concept of a “Tribe”. - Software Defined x: Chad … [Read more...]