Powershell 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.

Nutanix 4.0 PowerShell has Full Feature Coverage

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 07:55:50 +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 GUI. Basically, anything that can be done via GUI can also be done via REST 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.

Disaster Recovery - Failover and Failback with Nutanix

Sat, 22 Feb 2014 15:26:13 +0000

Nutanix has built-in VM-Centric, multi-site, bi-directional, multi-topology disaster recovery and replication engine that also supports VMware Site Recovery Manager and Run Book Automation tools. The replication utilizes incremental and fine-grained byte-level data transfers with intelligent data compression, eliminating network and storage resource throttle.

How to Establish PowerShell Connection to Nutanix and Execute your 1st Query

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 11:12:15 +0000

In my article Nutanix Automation, Policies and the SDDC I discussed how Nutanix exposes all features and functions via REST API, enabling programmatic access to datacenter services within mainstream enterprises.

The current list of features and services that can be fully managed by programmatic access is long and include the following:

How to: Automate Horizon Mirage tasks via API and PowerShell

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:28:49 +0000

VMware Horizon Mirage is a layered image management solution that separates the PC into logical layers, which are owned and managed by either IT or the end user. Mirage enables enterprise IT administrators to centrally control the base and application layers guarantying a consistent view of the image across all endpoints. Through the Mirage Management Console, the administrator configures and manages clients, base images and app layers, performs operations such as updates and restores, and monitors the system operation through the dashboard and event logs.

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.

VMware View automation with vCenter Orchestrator

Tue, 15 May 2012 05:10:47 +0000

In many organizations automation is a key component that allow IT to spend cycles where the business need them - perhaps innovation. Many VMware products have their own API’s and SDK that help organizations to automate process. VMware View doesn’t have publically available API’s that can be used in the automation process. However, VMware View does expose PowerShell cmdlets that can be used in the construction of a automated process via PowerShell scripts or via the construction of vCenter Orchestrator Workflows.

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.

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