HomeLab: Active Directory Documentation using AsBuiltReport

Hello to all! Earlier I wrote about the NetApp.Ontap report that I helped develop through the AsBuildReport project created by Tim Carman @tpcarman (Here the link ). Well this time I will be talking about another report that I have been working on during these last months related to building documentation about the Active Directory (AD) infrastructure. For many years I have done several implementations and/or consultancies related to this service and I have always had the intention of creating a condensed report on how this service infrastructure was designed, which for statistical purposes runs in more than 95% of the world’s companies. ...

October 14, 2021 · 9 min · Jon Colon

HomeLab: Automated NetApp Ontap Documentation with AsBuiltReport

Hello everyone! This time I come to talk about a project that I have been working on for a few months. If you remember some time ago I wrote about the AsBuildReport tool specifically the module to document VMware vSphere based infrastructures see the post here . Well today I come to show you a module that I help to develop with the purpose of documenting NetApp storage devices specifically on the ONTAP operating system. ...

September 27, 2021 · 9 min · Jon Colon

HomeLab: vDiagram Draw your Virtual Infrastructure

Hello everyone Taking as a reference the Top 10 VMware Admin Tools list, this time I am going to show you how to use the vDiagram tool that has the #6 position in the list of the most used tools by VMware infrastructure administrators. In essence this PowerShell script captures and draws a VMware vSphere infrastructure using Microsoft Visio. Originally this tool was created by Alan Renouf @alanrenouf and currently the project is maintained by Tony Gonzalez @vDiagram_Tony . ...

August 27, 2021 · 5 min · Jon Colon

Veeam: Powershell get Backup Repository Information

Hello everyone, These last days I have been performing several support services related to Veeam Backup & Replication where I have had the opportunity to use more Veeam PowerShell modules. So in this opportunity I will be showing you in a basic way how to get information related to the repositories connected to the Backup server. As always it is necessary to establish a connection to the Backup server using the Connect-VBRServer command. ...

August 15, 2021 · 3 min · Jon Colon

VMware Skyline Health Diagnostics Deployment

Hello everyone This time I come to show you the integration of VMware Skyline Health Diagnostics (VSHD) with VMware vCenter. I will also show you how to run the diagnostics to know how is the health of your Virtual infrastructure. VSHD is a self-diagnostic platform that allows to detect and solve problems in both vSphere and vSAN product line. This tool provides recommendations in the form of Knowledge Base articles or links to troubleshooting procedures. vSphere administrators can use this tool to troubleshoot issues before contacting VMware Global Support. ...

August 9, 2021 · 4 min · Jon Colon

NetApp Ontap Mediator Installation and Configuration

Hello everyone, Today I will be talking a bit about how to install and configure the Ontap Mediator application that is used as an alternate way to validate the health status of a cluster collection. To set up the role of this application I will use as reference the NetApp portal documentation: ONTAP Mediator provides an alternate health path to the peer cluster, with the intercluster LIFs providing the other health path. With the Mediator’s health information, clusters can differentiate between intercluster LIF failure and site failure. When the site goes down, Mediator passes on the health information to the peer cluster on demand, facilitating the peer cluster to fail over. With the Mediator-provided information and the intercluster LIF health check information, ONTAP determines whether to perform an auto failover, if it is failover incapable, continue or stop. ...

July 11, 2021 · 10 min · Jon Colon

Veeam: Powershell get Backup Proxies Information

Hello friends, In this opportunity I will be showing you how to obtain Backup Proxy related information from PowerShell in a Veeam Backup & Replication infrastructure. To begin with it is necessary to establish the initial connection to the Backup Server using the Connect-VBRServer command. In my case the FQDN of my Backup Server is veeam-vbr.pharmax.local. PS C:\Users\jocolon> Connect-VBRServer -Server veeam-vbr.pharmax.local -Credential (Get-Credential) cmdlet Get-Credential at command pipeline position 1 Supply values for the following parameters: User: pharmax\administrator Password for user pharmax\administrator: ```` PS C:\Users\jocolon> After connecting to the server you can use the Get-VBRViProxy cmdlet to identify which Backup Proxy servers are in your infrastructure. ...

July 10, 2021 · 3 min · Jon Colon

Veeam Powershell Module Introduction

Hello to everyone, This time I will be showing an introduction of the Veeam PowerShell module and how to make the initial connection to the backup server. In Veeam Backup & Replication version 11 a new PowerShell module called Veeam.Backup.PowerShell was introduced. According to the Veeam documentation portal there are two ways to use this PowerShell module: Accessing PowerShell from the Veeam Backup & Replication console. Importing the module from a traditional PowerShell console. PS C:\Users\jocolon> Import-Module -Name Veeam.Backup.PowerShell WARNING: The names of some imported commands from the module 'Veeam.Backup.PowerShell' include unapproved verbs that might make them less discoverable. To find the commands with unapproved verbs, run the `Import-Module` command again with the Verbose parameter. For a list of approved verbs, type `Get-Verb`. PS C:\Users\jocolon> It is important to mention that the PowerShell module is available on the Veeam Backup server or on any device where the management console is installed. Reference: ...

June 19, 2021 · 4 min · Jonathan Colon Feliciano

HomeLab: How to obtain a Veeam Not for Resale (NFR) license for your HomeLab protection

In this opportunity I come to show you how to get free Veeam licenses that you can use to protect your HomeLab or can be used to practice if you are planning to get certified as a Veeam Certified Engineer (VMCE). I am currently protecting my virtual environment with these licenses that can be obtained if you meet one of these requirements: Who is eligible? Veeam Certified Engineers (VMCE) VMware: vExperts, VMware Certified Professionals (VCPs & VCAPs) Microsoft: Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), Microsoft Certified Solutions Experts (MCSEs) AWS: AWS Heroes & Certified Professionals Nutanix AHV: ALL Nutanix technical personnel VMware, Microsoft, AWS trainers, bloggers and other certified professionals To request this free license just access the link: ...

June 11, 2021 · 2 min · Jonathan Colon Feliciano

HomeLab: Using vCheck for vSphere Infrastructure Health Accessment

In this opportunity I come to show you how to download and use the vCheck tool that is used to validate the health status of the VMware vSphere infrastructure. This tool is developed by Alan Renouf as a mechanism to identify possible failures or misconfiguration in the vSphere implementation. To learn more about this tool I will use the vCheck documentation as a reference: This script picks on the key known issues and potential issues scripted as plugins for various technologies written as Powershell scripts and reports it all in one place so all you do in the morning is checking your email. ...

June 8, 2021 · 14 min · Jonathan Colon Feliciano