It’s Been A While & Shameless Plug: VMworld Session Voting….

Well, I’ve almost missed the boat on trying to gain a vote or two for my sessions at the upcoming VMworld events in Las Vegas and Copenhagen later on this year…  I’ve been working with others of the vSpecialist Team on the EMC vLabs for the EMC World 2011 event which ran last week, and wow! What a crazy ride it’s been, long hours, tight deadlines, highs, lows, energy drink and a constant underlying feeling of excitement that we were creating something special and a first for EMC World.

I had a draft blog post ready which outlined what I’ve been up to the past 5 weeks though my colleague and friend Chris Horn who heads up the vSpecialist Technical Enablement Team has done such a good job in his guest post on Chad’s site that I instead highly recommend that you go and check it out here!  During this time I’ve taken a ton a photos which provide a nice insight as to what went on behind the scenes to make the EMC World vLabs happen so watch this space for an upcoming post with these pics.

For the time being, back to the VMworld sessions, this year I have submitted three in total.  Two on my own and one I am co-presenting with some names I’m sure you may be familiar with.  Below is an outline on each of my sessions, if you like my proposed topics please feel free to cast a vote my way to help in my chances of my session be being accepted – thank you. 

Voting for the VMworld 2011 sessions finishes in the next day or two.

How to Vote: To cast a vote for a session(s) simply log onto the VMworld 2011 site here and click the ‘Vote Now’ button on the right hand side of the screen.

Next Click the ‘Search Options’ button

Then enter in the session number, name or speaker name (eg: Simon Seagrave ) and press ‘Submit’.

To vote for your favourite session(s) simply press the ‘Thumbs Up’ icon to vote for that particular sessions. 

Here is the list of my topics complete with an abstract on each.

2312 Top 10 Tips for Installing & Running Successful VMware vSphere Labs!

Abstract: With more and more businesses and individuals now running their own VMware vSphere lab for test and development, pre-release or educational purposes the topic of vSphere labs has become a very popular one. With VMware vSphere now able to be run on entry level hardware there has been no better time to run your very own lab. Planning, installing and running your own successful VMware vSphere lab environment can be confusing and often something of a minefield if the lab is to be fully utilized and configured to its maximum potential. This educational and entertaining session will cover a Top 10 list of the most useful real-world tips covering the areas of installation, configuration and running a successful vSphere lab that can be taken away and applied to your own lab or production VMware vSphere environment. The format of this presentation is designed to be punchy and semi-fast paced with plenty of engaging (and sometimes humorous) images & screenshots designed to hold the audience’s attention. Each of the tips will cover up-to-the-minute information based on the latest VMware products and will be backed up with real world examples, considerations and useful information on why and how to implement the tip supplemented by the lessons learned through the speaker’s own experience in building vSphere labs.

Track:  Management and Operations
Topic: Cloud Operations, Strategies and Best Practices

• Simon Seagrave, Virtualization Specialist, EMC Corporation

2751 How SMBs can Successfully Transition to the Cloud

Abstract: There is often a perception that implementing a Cloud-based infrastructure is limited to larger businesses with their associated larger budgets. The reality is that organizations of all sizes can benefit from the efficiencies and cost savings found with implementing a virtualization and Cloud-based infrastructure. This session will take the attendees through the various steps involved in implementing a successful SMB virtualized/Cloud-based infrastructure which will include many useful real-world examples, useful tips, and best practices which will focus on how SMBs can successfully implement their own VMware-based Cloud infrastructure.

Track:  Technology and Architecture
Topic:  Solution Architecture

• Simon Seagrave, Senior Technology Consultant/vSpecialist, EMC Corporation

2976 Your Own VMware vSphere Home Lab – An Installation Guide

Abstract:  Are you thinking about getting your VCP, VCAP, or VCDX certification? Maybe you just want to improve your familiarity with various VMware or partner products, or you’re wondering how some crazy configuration idea you’ve had would actually work. The best way to learn is by doing and what better place to learn (or to test new ideas without putting your production environment as risk) than the comfort of your own home?

Come to this session to get tips and tricks on building your own VMware home lab. Using their own hands-on experience and actual home labs as examples, the presenters will cover: hardware options, vSphere installation and configuration lessons learned the hard way, tips for getting the most for your money, how to get software licenses, where to get free Virtual Storage Appliances (VSAs), and mistakes to avoid.

Track:  Technology and Architecture
Topic:  Solution Architecture

• Rob Peglar, Senior Fellow, Xiotech
• Jay Weinshenker, Sr. Oracle Applications DBA and Linux Administrator, Luminex Corporation
• Tommy Trogden, Sr. vSpecialist, EMC Corporation
• Simon Seagrave, Sr. vSpecialist, EMC Corporation
• Kendrick Coleman, Sr. vArchitect, VCE

Thanks to all of you who vote for one or more of my sessions, much appreciated.  Now that I have EMC World behind me and I have some extra time in the evenings back again expect more regular blog posts from me.  Thanks for your support.