VMware has released another technical paper! This time on the performance of Multiple Java Applications in a VMware vSphere 4.1 Virtual Machine.

The paper shows the results of tests that investigate the performance impact of running applications on multiple JVMs in a single virtual machine. These tests were conducted using the Olio application running in VMware vFabric tc Server 2.0 on VMware vSphere 4.1 Update 1. The intent of the investigation is to provide insight into the impact of sizing decisions when selecting the number of JVMs to deploy in a single VM.

You can download the paper here: http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/10175

While reading through articles on Virtualization.info today I came across this article detailing the release of a new VMware whitepaper.

The paper is called “Configuration Examples and Troubleshooting for VMDirectPath“, and details over 5 pages configuration examples on how to configure direct access to an I/O device within ESX using VMDirectPath (VMDirectPath allows you to connect up to two passthrough devices to a virtual machine improving performance for ESX systems that utilize high-speed I/O devices.).
The paper also documents the steps needed to enable VMDirectPath, by enabling the functionality in the BIOS, verifying that IOMMU is enabled within ESX and editing the VMX file for advanced configuration. The paper also details some potential problems, like device assignment dependencies, virtual IRQ sharing and physical IRQ sharing.

Today sees yet another best practices paper released by VMware.

This time the paper is titled “Microsoft Exchange 2010 on VMware vSphere Best Practices Guide“. The paper contains 69 pages and provides guidance on how to deploy Microsoft Exchange 2010 on VMware vSphere.

The document covers the following topics:

• ESX host best practices for Exchange
• Exchange performance on vSphere
• Exchange 2010 capacity planning
• Sizing examples for a standalone and clustered mailbox server (16K users)
• vSphere enhancements for deployment and operations

VMware has released a useful “technical paper” covering Performance Best Practices for VMware vSphere 4.1.

The technical paper, Performance Best Practices for VMware vSphere 4.1, provides performance tips that covers the most performance-critical areas of VMware vSphere 4.1. Although it is not a comprehensive guide for planning and configuring your deployments it is worth checking out!

Chapter 1 – “Hardware for Use with VMware vSphere,” provides guidance on selecting hardware for use with vSphere.

Chapter 2 – “ESX and Virtual Machines,” provides guidance regarding VMware ESX™ software and the virtual machines that run in it.

Chapter 3 – “Guest Operating Systems,” provides guidance regarding the guest operating systems running in vSphere virtual machines.

Chapter 4 – “Virtual Infrastructure Management,” provides guidance regarding resource management best practices.

You can find the paper here: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/Perf_Best_Practices_vSphere4.1.pdf

Thanks to Eric Sloof’s NTPro.nl for making me aware of this doc!

At the beginning of the month VMware finally released its long awaited cloud management solution called vCloud Director (formerly Project Redwood).

The company now published the product’s hardening guide: a 37-pages document covers vCloud Director architecture and security features, the infrastructure hardening, the certificates configuration and management, the security at network level and the resources isolation, as well as the auding/logging and the user and identities management.

While a good start, it surprisingly lacks of a consistent section about the integration with the new vShield Edge product, that VMware created exactly to protect the tenants in the vCloud environment. Hopefully VMware will release another paper specific about the two products together.

Download it here.

Post from NTPro.nl

Earlier this week VMware’s ‘Call For Papers’ for VMworld 2010 was announced.

To submit a paper for consideration just log onto the VMworld portal to enter the required details.

Competition for acceptance each year is always tough so give yourself the good chance of success by choosing a topical subject, and have your submission tripple checked!

This document was released a few weeks ago and it’s just been pointed out that we havn’t got it up here on our blog!

esXpress 3.5 by PHD Virtual uses multiple virtual backup appliances (VBA’s) to provide highly scalable, high throughput, simultaneous de‐duplicated backups of virtual machines. The use of de‐duplication technology in all backups, which are performed source side at the block level mean that backups are fast and storage efficient. One highly unique feature of the esXpress product is the ability to restore virtual machine backups without requiring the esXpress software installed. The restore mechanism is built into the backup itself making it highly portable as well as providing the simplest and most versatile restore process in the market.

For more information on esXpress 3.5 product visit: http://www.phdvirtual.com/products/esxpress-virtual‐backup

To download a free trial of esXpress 3.5 please visit: http://phdvirtual.com/register

The document available for download from the link below compares esXpress 3.5 against VMware Data Recovery 1.0, Vizioncore vRanger Pro 3.2.8.1, and Veeam Backup & Replication 3.1.

Download the document HERE.

This Tuesday virtualization knowledge buffs Xtravirt published their review of esXpress 3.5!

The review was written by technical author Peter Grant and is suitable for people at the level of “Technical – Novice”.

The main sections in the review include:

1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Features and Capabilities
4. Gotchas / Troubleshooting
5. Licensing
6. Summary
7. Useful References

You can view the review here:  http://xtravirt.com/node/182

Virtualization analysts/consultants Xtravirt have now joined the Twitter community. They specialize in creation of original, premier quality content for the virtualization industry that is unbiased.

You can follow them here: @Xtravirt