My VMworld 2008 Schedule Failed Inspection – Too Many Instructor-led Labs
September 4th, 2008 | 
Author: 
Since the VMworld 2008 party is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway let me use a NASCAR analogy to describe what has happened. My previously published conference schedule has failed the pre race tech inspection. I had too many Instructor-led labs. I was instructed to adjust my schedule so it conforms to the standard 2 labs per attendee template. As a result I am starting at the back of the field and have ended up on the waiting list for LAB 09 – Scripting VMware Infrastructure. Oh well, I guess “it’s just one of them racin’ deals.” I plan on driving the ugly green VM /ETC Dodge hard into Turn 1 on Monday morning to see if I can gain some positions back. If you are already in LAB 09 Monday morning don’t be surprised if you end up with “donut” on your driver-side door panel.
Here in the Southeast U.S. if we can talk about football or racing we are happy …
Sven Huisman commented in my original post about my schedule that the same thing happened to him a few years ago. He had more labs than he was supposed to, and then 2 weeks before VMworld he got an email telling him to change his schedule. Jay Rogers also commented that he could not believe I was able to schedule more than 2 labs. VMworld is 2 weeks away and I got an email late last night:
Subject: VMworld2008 Instructor-Led Labs – Action Required
Our records show that you have built your schedule for VMworld2008 and have registered for more than 2 instructor-led labs. There is a limit of 2 instructor-led labs per person for the conference so you need to modify your schedule.
Please choose the 2 labs you want to participate in and release the rest by Friday, Sept 5, 2008.
Sign in to Schedule Builder to modify your schedule today. If you have not modified you schedule by Friday, Sept 5, 2008, the additional lab sessions you have selected will be automatically removed from your schedule.
Thank you, VMworld 2008 Team
I’m sure Jay and Sven will get a smile of satisfaction from this post.
Here’s my adjusted schedule:
VMworld 2008
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8:00 AM-10:00 AM |
Lab09 |
Scripting VMware® Infrastructure: Automating, Integrating, and Extending VI |
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10:30 AM-11:15 AM |
PDTECH101 |
Virtualizing Microsoft Exchange |
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11:30 AM-12:15 PM |
PDPAR103 |
A Better Way to Manage Data in Virtualized Environments & Across your Enterprise Sponsored by CommVault |
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12:15 PM-1:30 PM |
PD Lunch |
Partner Day Lunch |
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1:30 PM-2:15 PM |
PDTECH102 |
VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Product and Competitive Deep Dive |
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2:15 PM-3:15 PM |
TE VI-04 |
VMware Infrastructure Management Directions |
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3:30 PM-4:15 PM |
PDTECH107 |
Sneak Peak Into Future Virtual Infrastructure Products / Releases |
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4:30 PM-5:15 PM |
PDTECH104 |
Desktop and Application Virtualization Through the Implementation of ThinApp and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure |
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5:30 PM-7:30 PM |
SE Reception |
Solutions Exchange Welcome Reception |
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6:30 AM-8:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Breakfast |
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8:00 AM-9:15 AM |
GS |
General Session |
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9:30 AM-10:30 AM |
KNVMware |
Question and Answer Session with Paul |
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10:30 AM-11:30 AM |
BOF102 |
High Availability |
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11:30 AM-12:30 PM |
TA3807 |
VirtualCenter Directions |
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1:30 PM-2:30 PM |
TA2784 |
Joint VMware and NetApp Best Practices for Running VI3 on IP Based Storage |
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2:30 PM-3:30 PM |
BC1693 |
Architecting DR Solutions with VMware Site Recovery Manager |
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4:00 PM-5:00 PM |
BC3819 |
Re-architecting Data Protection Processes with Data Deduplication and Virtualization Technologies |
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6:30 AM-8:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Breakfast |
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8:00 AM-9:15 AM |
GS |
General Session |
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9:30 AM-10:30 AM |
EA3022 |
Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Mailbox Roles on VMware Infrastructure 3 |
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11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
KN EMC |
Designing the Next-Generation Datacenter |
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1:30 PM-2:30 PM |
VD2207 |
Benefits of Image Composer to VDM Deployments |
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3:00 PM-4:00 PM |
BOF121 |
Cloud Computing |
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4:00 PM-5:00 PM |
AD2365 |
Best Practices in Managing Virtual Infrastructure |
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7:00 PM-11:00 PM |
VMParty |
VMworld2008 Party |
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7:30 AM-9:00 AM |
Breakfast |
Breakfast |
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9:00 AM-10:00 AM |
PO2569 |
Deploying VMware in a Microsoft Shop |
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10:30 AM-11:30 AM |
VD3261 |
VDI versus Terminal Services |
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1:00 PM-2:00 PM |
TA2213 |
VMware Infrastructure 3 Storage: iSCSI Implementation and Best Practices |
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2:00 PM-3:00 PM |
PO3260 |
Linux Virtual Machines: Templates, P2V and Other Tips and Tricks |
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3:30 PM-5:30 PM |
Lab A |
VMware® Datacenter Tech Preview |
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Posted in 
Tags: 
You know.. in all the conferences I have been to in my life, I have never got to attend a hands on lab, as the companies I have worked for have always been slow to pay and or approve conference trips. Sadly I can’t attend this year.. it looks really good.
Here’s a link I think you will enjoy considering which class you got wait listed on : http://blogs.vmware.com/vipowershell/files/vmworld_europe_2008_powershell_lab_7_manual.pdf
it’s not as good as attending a lab in person, but I found it useful.
Jason,
Thanks for the link to the Powershell Lab.
In retrospect, taking a lab the first day of any event is always a crap shoot. There is always “a kink” to be worked out at the expense of the early sessions. I’ll probably end up needing that .pdf!
Same thing happened to me last night. Thought I was lucky I could add extra labs, but ends up I kind hurt myself.
David,
Sorry to hear that. I’m hoping there will be some “standing room” in the labs.
WOW… I set up my schedule three minutes after i got the email and it would not let me sign up for more than two labs. I got into Lab09 on Thursday
)
Dave,
Maybe this whole process “fixed” the session scheduler on the VMworld side. It’s surprising that it ever let you register for more than 2 labs anyways. Besides, I can’t remember if there was a clear warning or instructions explaining only 2 were allowed, but I probably missed it. No use me blaming someone else …
Check out my breakout session: BC2497 VMware Consolidated Backup – Report from the Trenches
I know I have at least two attendees….
Dave
Dave,
I’ll try to work your session in. I am very interested in VCB, but there’s just too much to cover!
Rich –
I know what you mean. My schedule is packed AND my boss wants me to man our booth. I am requesting that the preso gets posted in notes view. That way, it becomes more of a guide book. I also posted an companion doc over at http://viops.vmware.com
Dave
Man, sorry about the VMware cops getting you on the too many labs. I not getting any Satisfaction from this…I just wanted to know how I could do it. I can understand them limiting the Monday Instructor Labs, but seems you should be allowed to at least reserve one more lab the other days of the event.
Jay,
The satisfaction line was more dry humor than anything else .. no worries!