PowerCLI on myvirtualcloud.net

The new Nutanix Script Repository

Sun, 03 Aug 2014 16:10:54 +0000

The new Nutanix Script Repository is dedicated to the system administrator scripters of the world whom use automation to reduce time spent performing mundane tasks. Overtime you will find resources written in PowerShell, Java, Python and other script languages.

You can simply download the scripts or interact with them using Git. Git is an open-source version-control system designed to handle projects that are distributed over multiple repositories and developers. We use Git for local operations such as local branching, commits, diffs, and edits.

Nutanix 4.0 PowerShell goes GA

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:36:57 +0000

One of the big new things for workflows and automation in Nutanix NOS 4.0 are the PowerShell cmdlets to interact with the Nutanix API’s. The POSH library covers the entire extent and functionality of the Nutanix platform and graphical user interface. In other others, anything that can be done via GUI can also be done via REST API and can also be done via POSH; including Alerts, Authentication, Backup and Disaster Recovery, Clusters, Containers, Disks, VM and Host, Remote Sites, Multi-Cluster, Storage Pools, SNMP etc.

Powershell Script to Mass Clone and Power VMs via vCenter using VAAI

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:12:57 +0000

After publishing the Cloning and Powering VMs on Nutanix with VAAI video I was asked if I could share the PowerShell scripts used for the demo. I want to thank Steven Poitras (@StevenPoitras) for creating and allowing me to share the scripts with the broader community.

The scripts utilize vCenter Server to create clones and it's likely that vCenter will be the bottleneck during the provisioning process. I recommend assigning more RAM and vCPU as needed. My vCenter server ended up with 8GB RAM and 4 vCPU.

Additionally, I recommend increasing the maximum number of concurrent operations vCenter will allow. To do that one must increase the maxCostPerHost advanced setting to 24.

PowerCLI for the VDI geek with Andre Leibovici - Automate ALL the things #vBrownBag

Sat, 02 Nov 2013 10:41:37 +0000

Last week the team over at vBrownBag invited me to talk about VMware Horizon View and the PowerShell integration during their webcast. During the live session I was able to cover the basic architecture, the PowerCLI implementation and also provide some simple examples. Thanks to the vBrownBag crew for having me over.

PoSh automation for Horizon View manual pools

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 07:42:28 +0000

Automation is system administrator’s best friend. Automating repetitive tasks is a key enabler in most IT environments. Whilst many of the desktop pool administrative tasks in Horizon View can be made via PowerShell, not all objects are exposed.

The POSH scripts below were created by VMware's Jedi Master Engineer Mike Pryor and they allow administrators to manage a Horizon View Manual Pool via PoSh, providing methods to add and remove desktops.

Mapping Replicas to View Desktop Pools

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:48:55 +0000

Identifying what replica is assigned to what desktop pool can be somewhat challenging in Horizon View. However, in some cases administrators need to know the object relationship to properly plan desktop and pool migrations across hosts or datastores.

The PowerShell script bellow produces a output that demonstrate this relationship.

To execute save the script below as a .PS1 file in a View Connection Server with the VMware.VimAutomation.Core plug-in installed. The VMware.VimAutomation.Core plug-in is automatically installed with the VMware vSphere™ PowerCLI. Before executing the script you will need to change the vCenter server address at

VMware View PowerShell AD LDS Set-State Function

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:20:25 +0000

Automation is system administrator's best friend. Automating repetitive tasks is a key enabler in most IT environments. Whilst many of the desktop pool changes in VMware View can be made via PowerShell, not all objects are exposed.

I created the PowerShell function below and it will change a desktop pool property state in Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services database key. The function uses the PoolID property to receive an object representation and set the new state in the AD LDS database.

PowerShell Module for (NVP) Nicira Network Virtualization Platform

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 08:55:23 +0000

The network virtualization concept of decoupling the logical networking from the physical networking much like in the same way server virtualization de-coupled the operating systems and software from the physical server hardware is permeating IT organizations.

NVP creates an intelligent abstraction layer between hosts and existing networks. Managed by a distributed controller system this intelligent edge transforms the physical network into a pool of network capacity and enables the programmatic creation of tens of thousands of isolated virtual networks to connect workloads in your cloud.

How to use VMware View PowerCLI with PowerShell 3.0

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 07:10:21 +0000

Whilst VMware View Connection Server does offer support for Windows Server 2008 R2 and R2 SP1, only PowerShell 2.0 is supported with the View PowerCLI cmdlets. The PowerShell 2.0 may offer all the functions an administrator may need, but you might want to utilize the newer PowerShell 3.0 that is available for download from Microsoft Download Center.

Automating Desktop in ‘Already Used’ State in VMware View –Part 2

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:07:00 +0000

Sometimes non-persistent desktop pools become unusable over time. If a desktop that is set to refresh on log off is reset, the desktop goes into the Already Used state. This security feature prevents any previous session data from being available during the next log in.

Setting VMware View Desktop State Remotely

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:09:10 +0000

Automation has been always the best friend of good System Administrators. Automating repetitive tasks is a key enabler in most IT environments. However, VMware View has some known limitations when talking about automation and remote management.

Besides the Graphical User Interface, local PowerCLI is the only supported management methodology. I say local PowerCLI because none of the VMware View PowerCLI cmdlets allow remote management today. I have previously demonstrated how to use VMware.View.Broker PSSnap-In to configure WinRM sessions and execute remote View PowerCLI (here). It is possible to remotely execute PowerCLI cmdlets using New-PSSession as I demonstrated in my previous post and in the example below.

Remote use of VMware.View.Broker PowerCLI

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 08:20:55 +0000

VMware View has some known limitations when talking about automation and remote management. Besides the Graphical User Interface, local PowerCLI is the only supported management method. I say local PowerCLI because none of the VMware View PowerCLI cmdlets allow remote management; nor there is a module or DLL that you can register in a host other than a View Connection Server.

Automatic IP Assignment and VLAN change in VMware View

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:32:00 +0000

A while back I blogged about a scripting automation solution created by few VMware colleagues to automatic change the desktop VLAN in VMware View (here). The solution works great and I have received comments from organizations that have successfully implemented the scripts.

Automating Desktop in 'Already Used' State in VMware View

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:54:21 +0000

Getting a consistent view of the VMware View virtual desktop environment is essential for proper management. However, sometimes non-persistent desktop pools become unusable over time. If a desktop that is set to refresh on log off is reset, the desktop goes into the Already Used state. This security feature prevents any previous session data from being available during the next log in.

Unofficial Advanced VMware View Powershell Cmdlets

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:50:00 +0000

What if you could issue any function or feature available in VMware View GUI via PowerCLI cmdlets? What if you could call those cmdlets from a remote server?

Clint Kitson, Chris Horn and I worked together on a project to deliver the next-gen lab environment, and VMware View has been the demand management focal point. The core concept that we are working to deliver is essentially “desktop as a service” for lab environments.

How to get VMware View Desktop Login Count

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:34:00 +0000

I was reading tweets today and someone asked for a way to retrieve how often desktops are used – how many times users log into virtual desktops. I am not sure the reason behind the request but this is possible via the VMware View PowerCLI command Get-EventReport.

VMware View Pool Membership Management using PowerCLI

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0000

I have been recently tasked with delivering automation and orchestration that goes beyond VMware View capabilities today. As part of this PoC I have been working with EMC resident enterprise management and PowerShell Guru Clint Kitson @clintonskitson to address few of the shortcomings.

VMware View Remote Agent Install using PowerCLI

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:36:00 +0000

VMware View in it’s full sense is a connection brokering solution that also create virtual desktops in vCenter Server to be consumed by entitled users. However, users can access VMware View desktops delivered by physical Windows XP/7/2K8 machines that are not managed by vCenter Server, or virtual Windows Server 2K8 managed by vCenter server. Unamanaged desktop sources can include physical computers, terminal servers, and virtual machines running on VMware Server and other virtualization platforms. Those desktops are assigned to a Manual or Terminal Services Pools.

Follow-up – APAC Virtualisation Roundtable Podcast Number 15 – PowerShell

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:52:10 +0000

A great show thansk to my awesome guests, Alan Renouf (@AlanRenouf) Luc Dekens (@lucd22) and Hal Rottenberg @Halr9000

Lots of links to good places after the break, thanks to Greg Mulholland (@g_mulholland) for providing them in the chat during the podcast

PowerShell Podcasts, Hal’s Power Scripting Alan & Luc’s Get Scripting

APAC Virtualization Roundtable (Powershell with Alan Renoulf and Friends) – Wed 2/6

Mon, 31 May 2010 20:53:00 +0000

APAC Virtualization Roundtable is proud to present Alastair Cooke (@demitassenz) hosting another exciting geek episode. This Wednesday we have a panel of PowerShell specialists, including Alan Renouf (@alanrenouf), Hal Rottenberg (@halr9000) and Luc Dekens (@LucD22).

The broadcast is via TALKSHOE.com.

Top 10 Free tools to manage your Virtual Infrastructure

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:06:32 +0000

Following the idea that in this world nothing is created but everything transformed I decided to start sharing all the good posts I have collected and that make my life easier. @vladan has posted this good article about free tools that help administrators. Thanks @vladan