Dangerous default on ESX 4

Forbes Guthrie10 Comments

My colleague (thanks Kevin), just alerted me to a default setting on ESX 4, which I think is potentially dangerous these days.  If you hit Ctrl-Alt-Del on an ESX 4 console, it will reboot the server even if there are running VMs and it doesn’t care if the server is not in Maintenance Mode.

This is an old throwback which most modern Linux distribution disable these days.  To disable this yourself, open up /etc/inittab in your favourite editor and comment out the “ca::ctrlaltdel:/sbin/shutdown -t3 -r now” line with a # symbol so it looks like this:

# Trap CTRL-ALT-DELETE
# ca::ctrlaltdel:/sbin/shutdown -t3 -r now

Save and exit the file.  For this to take effect without a reboot, then run:

init q

This certainly disabled by default on ESX 3.5 hosts, so I assume that this was an oversight on VMware’s part on the new release.  I have checked the latest patches and there is no mention of this.

UPDATE:

Frank Wegner from VMware has raised this as a bug report with VMware engineering.

UPDATE 2 (4 March 2010):

VMware have just released a patch for ESX 4 hosts to rectify this: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1017459

VMware exam resources

Forbes Guthrie7 Comments

Here’s my list of VMware exam study resources. I realize that a lot of fellow bloggers have created similar lists, and I always try avoid what the rest of the madding crowd are doing, however in this case I’m happy to follow along. Firstly I need the list for myself. Yep, I haven’t actually sat the VCP4 yet, and I need to get it done by the end of the year. Secondly, a lot of people come to my site as a resource for their studying, so I think its only appropriate that I share with them the tools which I’ll be using.

Below all the VCP4 links I’m also listing some VCDX resources. Maybe these will motivate me to take some more exams 🙂

Now, I have a conundrum before I even register for the exam. There are 2 offers at the moment which I’m eligible for, which you might be interested in:

  1. If you attended this year’s VMworld, then you can get a 30% discount on the cost of the exam if you go here (offer at the bottom of the page): http://www.vmware.com/vmwarestore/vmworld-exclusive-offers.html
  2. If you are an existing VCP or have attended the Fast Track course, then you can apply for a special voucher which gives you a free resit if you fail at the first attempt. Here is the link to register: http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/courses.cfm?ui=www&a=one&id_subject=17662 and the instructions: http://www.pearsonvue.com/VMware/Upgrade

If you want to take advantage of either of these offers, make sure you register for them before you book the exam.

So here’s the conundrum. Do I feel confident enough to grab the 30% discount and wave the free re-sit? Answers below in the comments please =S

OK, so here’s the advice I’ll be following to revise for the VCP4:

  1. Check for latest updates on VMware’s Education Services portal: http://mylearn.vmware.com/portals/certification/
  2. Review the VCP Blueprint carefully, understand each point, both the theory behind it and how to do things in practice: http://mylearn.vmware.com/lcms/mL_faq/2726/VCPonvSphere4ExamBlueprint.pdf

Things to learn:

  1. Official VMware documentation. There shouldn’t be anything on a VCP exam that isn’t in these. If you use the blueprints, you can tailor your reading to concentrate on the right areas: http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vs_pages/vsp_pubs_esx40_vc40.html
  2. Pay particular attention to the latest Configuration Maximums document: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_40_config_max.pdf
  3. My documentation notes: http://www.vreference.com/vsphere4-notes/
  4. My reference card: http://www.vreference.com/vsphere4-card/

Here are some ways to now test and practice what you’ve just learnt:

  1. VMware mock exam: http://mylearn.vmware.com/quiz.cfm?item=15211
  2. Simon Long’s practise exam: http://www.simonlong.co.uk/blog/vcp-vsphere-4-practice-exam/
  3. Barry Coombs’ cue cards: http://virtualisedreality.wordpress.com/vcp-in-vsphere-4-0-study-notes/

Finally here are some final words of advice about the exam itself so you know what coming:

  1. Scott Vessey’s training site: http://vmwaretraining.blogspot.com/2009/09/studying-for-vcp-on-vsphere-4.html
  2. Eric Sloof’s post on VCP4 exam scoring: http://www.ntpro.nl/blog/archives/1255-VCP-on-vSphere-4-Exam-Scoring.html
  3. Jason Boche’s VCP4 experiences: http://www.boche.net/blog/index.php/2009/09/05/vcp4-exam/

As I find more exam resources I’ll update this post. Keep checking back or subscribe to the RSS feed to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Here are some links for the VCDX certification that I’ve also collected along the way.

Spanish VCP guide book

Forbes Guthrie2 Comments

My Spanish friend Jose Maria Gonzalez, (who created the awesome translation of the VI3 reference card), has published a new book.

In his own words:

VMware ESX and VMware VCP Made Easy, addresses all areas of technology that are important in VMware ESX and the VCP certification. It is a very thorough review of the fundamentals of virtualization and VMware ESX, very useful for those starting in the area of virtualization and the VMware VCP certification, or for those who already are experts in VMware ESX and want to pass the certification VMware VCP with all guarantees.

I tried to gather and synthesize everything you need to improve and increase your knowledge on VMware ESX, emphasizing on the VMware VCP certification and providing much advice illustrated with hundreds of examples.

VMware ESX y VMware VCP Hecho Fácil (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)
VMware ESX y VMware VCP Hecho Fácil (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)

VMware ESX and VMware VCP Made Easy, is now available online at these links:

http://www.lulu.com/content/7549779

http://www.amazon.com/VMware-ESX-Hecho-F%C3%A1cil-Spanish/dp/1409293971/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1255201098&sr=8-1