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IBM has released Virtualization Manager version 1.2.2. This latest version of VM, which is supported on IBM Director 5.20.2, Service Update 1, and Service Update 2, provides support for VMware ESX Server V3.5, and VMware VirtualCenter V2.5, as well as several important bug fixes.

Many of us have been anxiously anticipating VM support of VMware ESX Server V3.5 in order to leverage comprehensive virtualization management within their datacenter environment and compliment their overall management solution set within their IT shop.

Source: Virtualization Manager, Information Center

Nortel has announced an 1/10GB ethernet switch with 6x external 1G external uplinks AND 3x 10G ports in the standard bladecenter form factor so it fits in all BladeCenter chassis. This switch is also supported in MSIM.

Source:  Blade Network Technologies, IBM Product Brief

If you are currently using the FlexCache feature, you will need to take action to continue to use this feature when you update to Data ONTAP 7.3 and later.
The current FlexCache license, flex_cache, has been replaced by a new license, flexcache_nfs. The old license is supported for the Data ONTAP 7.2 release family, but is no longer supported for Data ONTAP 7.3 and later. See your sales representative Contact your IBM N series support representative to obtain and install the new flexcache_nfs license if it is not already present on your system.

Attention: If you upgrade to Data ONTAP 7.3 or later and the new license is not installed, you will not be able to access data in FlexCache volumes after the upgrade. As soon as you install the new license, the FlexCache data will become accessible.

The IBM Advanced Technical Support Team has published a document that illustrates the implementation details of the IBM BladeCenter Open Fabric Manager (BOFM).

BOFM is designed to help you manage growth and complexity by making it easy to manage I/O and network interconnects for up to 100 BladeCenter chassis - up to 1400 blade servers.

Source: IBM TechDocs

Normally Microsoft licensing can cause some headaches to get it right, but how is Microsoft licensing defined in a virtual environment. A new area where desktops can run. A number of sources are available on the web. And Microsoft has published a Licensing Guide on their website. Better known as VECD Licensing or Windows Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktop Licensing for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Source: Blog of Quest’s Provision Networks Division, Microsoft VECD Licensing Guide

Received email from our VMware contact in the Netherlands that VMware has collaborated with Cisco to produce a guide for deploying VMware Infrastucture 3 with Cisco switches. This guide covers the physical and virtual data network and storage network deployment considerations for ESX Server with suggested topologies and designs.

Source:  VMware Best Practrices & Resources, Deployment GUIDE PDF

IBM announced on june 10th the SAS Connectivity Card (CFFv) 43W3974 which at the date of announce is compatible with the HS21 XM and HS12. It is a low-cost alternative to the SAS Expansion Card (CFFv) 39Y9190.

But, what is the difference ?

IBM Top Gun training is designed to increase sales, solutions, competitive and technical skills for I/T Industry professionals. The program uses a popular "Top Gun" format involving unique class themes, stimulating lectures, stand-up exercises, hands-on labs, quizzes, and product demonstrations.

Top Gun training is for sales and solution specialists, IBM Business Partners, eSM's, client reps, telemarketing personnel or anyone who spends a significant amount of their time selling, marketing, and supporting IBM eServer, TotalStorage and Software products and solutions.

Look at the Top Gun schedules and sign up !!

Source:  IBM Field Education - Top Gun