latest Readings

This list show the latest articles and post I read and I can recommend for reading.

VMware

Excellent and very comprehensive article about vSphere VM quiescing essentials. Every vSphere- or Backup admin should be aware the stuff in this post.
https://blog.zuthof.nl/2020/11/26/vsphere-vm-quiescing-essentials/
There is a bunch of improvements in vSAN 7.0 U1. Read here about performance improvements.
https://blogs.vmware.com/virtualblocks/2020/09/30/performance-improvements-in-vsan-7-u1/
This article introduces the new Multi-Instance GPU (MIG) software functionality that can be used with the NVIDIA Ampere A-series GPUs. It describes how we used MIG in virtual machines on VMware vSphere 7 in the lab in technical preview. The MIG functionality optimizes the sharing of a physical GPU by a set of VMs on vSphere in new ways – specifically for compute-intensive workloads
https://blogs.vmware.com/apps/2020/09/vsphere-7-0-u1-with-multi-instance-gpus-mig-on-the-nvidia-a100-for-machine-learning-applications-part-1-introduction.html
Announcing Project Monterey – Redefining Hybrid Cloud Architecture. It leverages a new hardware technology called SmartNIC to deliver maximum performance, zero-trust security, and simplified operations to VCF deployments.
https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2020/09/announcing-project-monterey-redefining-hybrid-cloud-architecture.html
When designing a vSAN Cluster, you should think about performance impact of deduplication and compression. This excellent article describes this very well! Hint: it is about capacity tier.
https://blogs.vmware.com/virtualblocks/2020/06/18/vsan-design-considerations-deduplication-and-compression/
What to consider, when using large capacity devices in vSAN? Read this article to think about this topic carefully. A important question from performance perspective: Is the device fast enough to provide the capacity at a reasonable latency?
https://blogs.vmware.com/virtualblocks/2020/06/09/vsan-design-considerations-using-large-capacity-storage-devices/
This post gives an overview of Google Cloud and how Google Cloud VMware Engine is embedded their.
https://esxsi.com/2020/05/30/google-cloud-vmware-engine/
Manage HPE Server Firmware with new vSphere Lifecycle Manager in vSphere 7. Configuration includes HPE iLO Amplifier Pack for firmware deployment.
https://blogs.vmware.com/virtualblocks/2020/06/02/vsphere-lifecycle-manager-on-hpe/
An introduction to BitFusion. VMware acquired BitFusion some time ago and implemented the technology in vSphere.
https://vmiss.net/2020/06/02/vmware-vsphere-bitfusion/
NVMe-oF in vSphere 7. This post gives a historic view to storage topic in vSphere and explains the need for NVMe-oF.
https://www.codyhosterman.com/2020/05/is-nvme-of-ready-for-prime-time-with-vsphere-7/
Continuous Improvement in Simplicity and Resilience with vSAN. Article includes a history view on vSAN.
https://blogs.vmware.com/virtualblocks/2020/04/20/continuous-improvement-simplicity-resilience-vsan/
New feature in vSphere 7: Virtual Watchdog timer
https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2020/05/vsphere-7-virtual-watchdog.html
Components of the vSphere with Kubernetes pod service.
https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2020/04/vsphere-7-vsphere-pod-service.html
New features in vSphere 7 in content library: check in/out of templates, versioning.
https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2020/04/vsphere-7-content-library.html

Veeam

How to protect your organization from ransomware attacks.
- Attack Vectors – often started at endpoints
  - Phishing emails, with/without download links
  - Reuse of compromised user identity
  - Brute-force attacks
  - Exploiting vulnerabilities
  - DDoS attacks
- Countermeasures
  - Patch and keep your systems
  - Apply strict MFA for all remote
  - Protect user
  - Protecting the endpoint
    - Traditional antivirus is no longer enough
  - Email security
  - Data protection
  - Visibility
    - Monitor ransomware attack specify metrics
  - I personally add: train your employee
  - Other related actions to reduce risk
Business Continuity is a widely used term. But what does it mean? Read here what Veeam thinks about it.
https://www.veeam.com/blog/what-is-business-continuity.html
Veeam Backup & Replication Best Practices
https://www.veeambp.com/
Read about the backup 3-2-1 rule in this post. It discusses pro/contra different storage options for backups.
https://www.veeam.com/blog/3-2-1-rule-for-ransomware-protection.html
There are a few thoughts on vSphere tagging when it comes to Veeam disaster recovery.
https://www.veeam.com/blog/5-essential-vmware-vsphere-tag-tips.html