Optimized for VDI XP Virtual Machine Template Checklist

Posted on March 31st, 2008 in how to, vdi, vdm, vecd, vmetc.com by Rich

This checklist is intended to optimize a Windows XP VM for VDI deployments and keep it as small as possible.
The configuration steps were taken from the VMWorld 2007 lab “Using VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for Hosted Computing”. The Appendix of the lab materials .pdf was copied to create this table and most of the steps are copied as they appear in that document.

It is recommended that a VM that has been optimized by performing the steps in this checklist be used as a template or gold image for all other XP VMs.

VDI Starter Kit Promotion

Posted on January 11th, 2008 in promos, vdi, vdm, vmware by Rich

I received an email today with a new VDI promotion from VMware:

Subject: VMWare Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Starter Kit Promotion

Customers who purchase a VMware license are entitled to a “free” VDI Starter Kit. Interested? Keep reading…

VI3.5 New Feature Summary

Posted on November 17th, 2007 in esx, esx 3i, esx3.5, srm, stor vmotion, vc2, vc2.5, vcb, vdm, vmware by Rich

VI3.5 what's new summary

VMware VI3.5 is scheduled to be generally available by the end of 2007. Based on a public .pdf released by VMware, this post is my summary of the new features. I’m guessing this .pdf is really a .ppt presentation that VMware is delivering, but I have not attended this presentation myself.

The screen shot is from the document and shows the new features in the defined layers.

After some sales and marketing slides the document classifies the VI3 features today across 3 layers. These layers are then used to group the new features for the rest of the presentation.

The features are divided into 3 layers:

Installing VMware VDM (VMWorld 2007 lab materials)

Posted on November 1st, 2007 in how to, services, vdi, vdm, vmware, vmworld by Rich

More lab materials from VMWorld for those who can’t download themselves.

Linked to this post are the materials from “Using VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for Hosted Computing”. This lab walks through installation, administration, creating a desktop, creating desktop pools, and finally connecting to desktops and desktop pools.

The Appendix also goes through a detailed process of getting a WinXP VM ready to become a template. Too many template VMs are created without taking the time to optimize the VM for future cloning. This process can be used to prepare any VM for becoming a template - not just for use in VDI.

Using VDI Vmworld 2007 Lab