Packer vsphere-iso Windows Repo
My repo for using HashiCorp Packer to build VMware Workstation Windows Templates
Posts by Year
2024
2023
Packer vmware-iso Template Import Issue
How to fix an issue when deploying a Windows Server 2022 template in VMware Workstation generated with Packer’s vmware-iso plugin
Windows Patch Slipstreaming
How to apply Windows Updates to an image file using PowerShell cmdlets
2022
PuTTY Setup
My optimal PuTTY settings on Windows
Scottish VMUG Leader
I am delighted to become one of the Co-Leaders for the Scottish VMUG
My Top {code} Sessions to see at VMware Explore Europe 2022
VMware {code} is back as part of VMware Explore Europe 2022. Here are my Top 5 sessions I think you should attend
My Top 5 Breakout Sessions to see at VMware Explore Europe 2022
There are hundreds of sessions available at VMware Explore Europe 2022 but what do I see as the Top 5 must see
Top 5 VMware Tools/Utilities/Applications
I have five pieces of software anyone that is interested in the VMware ecosystem should know about. Learn about them here
My Top 5 {code} Sessions to see at VMware Explore 2022
VMware {code} is back as part of VMware Explore 2022. Here are my Top 5 sessions I think you should attend
My Top 10 Breakout Sessions to see at VMware Explore 2022
There are hundreds of sessions available at VMware Explore 2022 but what do I see as the Top 10 must see
Windows Docker Terraform Provider Error
When using Docker for Windows and the Terraform Docker Provider there is a necessary step needed when following the HashiCorp Learn tutorials.
Add ESXi Host to Cluster with Terraform
How to add an ESXi host to a cluster using Terraform when using self-signed, untrusted certificates, a common home lab situation
Announcing VMware Explore 2022
RIP to VMworld, hello VMware Explore
Migrate VMware Workstation LAN Segments
Learn from my mistake - how to migrate your LAN Segments to a new PC
Windows Server vmxnet3 Drivers and Removing VMware Tools
What are the implications of removing VMware Tools with a Windows Server OS for the vmxnet3 NIC type?
VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization 2022
I passed the VCP-DCV 2022 Exam. What resources did I use to study?
Packer vsphere-iso Windows Repo
My repo for using HashiCorp Packer to build vSphere Windows Templates
Packer Build Error with VMware Workstation 16
Packer builds were failing using VMware Workstation v16. How to fix and a potential bug in the installation process
Packer vsphere-iso Role
What privileges are required for Packer to build in vCenter and a lesson on security versus simplicity
2021
Change $FormatEnumerationLimit
How to show all entries returned when using Format-List in PowerShell
Tech YouTube November 2021
A list of my top Technology YouTube Channels to subscribe to. November 2021 edition
Using Postman with the vCenter API
How to authenticate and then pull a list of VMs from the vCenter API using Postman
Eject VM Hardware
By default on a Windows OS VMware VM you can eject critical hardware. How do you control that?
VMware Workstation and VMware Tools
How to keep VMware Tools up to date in a VMware Workstation Installation
My Top 10 Sessions to see at VMworld 2021
There are hundreds of sessions available at VMworld but what do I see as the Top 10 must see
How to Hide the VMware Tools Icon
The VMware Tools icon is placed in the system tray after installation. How to disable the icon
VMworld 2021
VMworld 2021 is coming. Why you should attend and all the details
VMware Workstation LAN Segments
LAN Segments are a under appreciated part of Workstation. This post will look into this useful feature
Top 10 Tech Podcasts 2021
My top 10 technology based podcasts in June 2021
vSphere DSC Test-VmwDscConfiguration Error
Finding a bug in the new vSphere DSC release specific to one cmdlet in PowerShell 5.1
AD Authentication in Ubuntu
How to setup AD Authentication in Ubuntu and a tip to ensure it works
Elgato Stream Desk and VMware Workstation
Using the Stream Deck to start VMs
Modifying NTFS Permissions Using PowerShell
A primer on ADGLP and using PowerShell to modify the permissions on a SMB share
My Gostand Desk Review
I purchased a standing desk and I’m very happy with it
VCSA Update Problem
A tale of making sure you have a valid upgrade path
AZ-104 Exam
I passed the AZ-104 Exam. A overview of the study resources I used.
VMware vExpert 2021
I was awarded VMware vExpert 2021
Flash EoL and vCenter
As of January 2021 Flash is EoL. How can you still use it for vCenter?
2020
GitHub Profiles
GitHub now have a feature to have a welcome profile when visiting your GitHub profile
VMware vExpert 2021 Applications
The vExpert Program - How to Apply, tips and my application from 2020
ESXi Host SSL Certificate Trust
How to trust the SSL certificate in for seamless browser access
AZ-900 Exam
I passed the AZ-900 Exam. A overview of the study resources I used plus a freebie!
PowerCLI with PowerShell 5.x and 7.x - Part 2
How does updating the PowerCLI module work on a computer with both PowerShell 5.x and 7.x
VMware Learning Zone - Time Limited Offer
Overview of VMware Learning Zone - with 12 months free access
PowerCLI with PowerShell 5.x and 7.x - Part 1
How does the PowerCLI module install work on a computer with both PowerShell 5.x and 7.x
Silent Install VMware Tools
How to download, extract, and silent install VMware Tools on Windows
VMware CodeConnect 2020 Recap
A post about the recent VMware CodeConnect 2020 event
VMworld 2020 Recap
Annoucements, my opinion and recommended sessions from VMworld 2020
GPG Keys for Verified GitHub Commits
How to use a GPG key to get verified commits in GitHub using Visual Studio Code on Windows
VMware {code} Connect 2020
A new VMware event right after VMworld - {code} Connect 2020
VMworld 2020
No in person VMworld 2020 - it’s online and available for everyone
VMware vSphere Central
A quick post on a useful resource - vSphere Central
2020 vExpert Applications
Second half 2020 applications are open
My Visual Studio Code Setup
What Extensions I use, theme, settings, even a bonus item - fonts
Jekyll Setup on WSL Running Ubuntu
Update on latest way to install Jekyll on WSL running Ubuntu
Microsoft Learn
What is the Microsoft Learn platform?
VMware vExpert 2020
I was awarded VMware vExpert 2020 Status
2019
RVTools - Exporting Information
Exploring some ‘hidden’ RVTools functionality
Goodbye Datanauts
The end of one of my favourite podcasts
VMware Fling - Virtual Machine Compute Optimizer
An overview of a VMware Fling I recently found that can give you some great performance recommendations
Install vRealize Lifecycle Manager on VMware Workstation
How to install vRealize Lifecycle Manager 2.1 and 8.0 on VMware Workstation 15
Book Review - Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches, Third Edition
A review of the book Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches, Third Edition
vSphere DSC - Part 4
What did I learn on the way and where you can learn more
vSphere DSC - Part 3
This is Part 3 of a series on vSphere DSC. We will cover a simple vCenter DSC example
vSphere DSC - Part 2
This is Part 2 of a series on vSphere DSC. We will cover a simple ESXi Host DSC example
VMware Workstation 15.5 Installation Issue
I hit a strange problem updating my copy of VMware Workstation to 15.5. Here is the manual fix
vSphere DSC - Part 1
What is vSphere DSC? Part one will cover the basics of DSC and vSphere DSC along with some pre-requisites to get ready for Part 2
The Importance of VCSA Services
How one VCSA service that was not running manifested in multiple issues in vCenter. It also taught me a valuable lesson.
Lenovo ThinkCenter M700 Tiny
I picked up a bargain and put ESXi 6.7 on it for the homelab. Is it worth it?
YouTube Channels July 2019
A list of the tech channels I subscribe to on YouTube that provide lots of free, valuable content
VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization 2019
Passed the VCP-DCV 2019 Exam
Saving PowerCLI Credentials
How to save credentials for reuse when connecting to vCenter using PowerCLI
DellEMC Isilon Simulator - Part 2
How to setup a Dell EMC Isilon four node cluster on VMware Workstation, Part 2
DellEMC Isilon Simulator - Part 1
How to setup a Dell EMC Isilon four node cluster on VMware Workstation
Disable vSAN Health Alarm
How to Disable a vSAN Health Alarm using the VCSA RVC
Scottish VMUG - March 2019
Recap of the March 2019 Scottish VMUG
VMware vExpert 2019
I was awarded VMware vExpert 2019
vCenter 6.7U1, NSX Manager, Custom Certificates and Lookup Service Error
A ‘fix’ for an issue adding NSX Manager to the Lookup Service when Custom Certificates are deployed
PowerCLI Cookbook for vSAN
VMware released a new resource for using PowerCLI with vSAN. Here is an overview and where to get it
VCP 6.5 Study Material
An overview of the VCP 6.5 DCV certification and some excellent study material
Updating Ubiquiti NVR Container on a Synology
Updating the pducharme Docker Container on a Synology NAS
2019 Goals
My 2019 Goals and a 2018 Recap
2018
2018 Goals Update
It’s the end of 2018, so how did I get on with the goals I set for 2018
Ansible and WinRM in a Workgroup
How to get WinRM working with Ansible in a Workgroup
Updating Ubuntu in WSL with Kaspersky Installed
How to resolve an updating issue in Ubuntu on Windows 10 that has Kaspersky installed
Top vBlog 2018
Voting is open for the Top vBlog 2018
VMworld 2018 Europe
I’m going to VMworld 2018 Europe. Where I’m going to be and what I want to get out of it
Super Meetup Presentation
My presentation at the October SQL/Azure/PowerShell Super Meetup
My Essential Apps 2018 Edition
A list of the applications/tools I install on all my computers that I rely on
Free and Paid Learning Resources
A collection of free and paid IT Learning resources
Scottish VMUG October 2018
Recap of the October 2018 Scottish VMUG
AutoLab 3.0
AutoLab 3.0 was recently released. Learn about this great resource for building a VMware Lab
Blogtober 2018: Tech Edition
Blogtober is back for 2018
End of an era - new job alert!
After 19 years it’s time for a change. How did the Scottish VMUG play a part?
Recap of VMworld 2018 US
My recap of VMworld 2018 US. Product announcements and links to content you can watch
VM Console Display Resolution Change
How to stop an annoying issue of the VM’s display resolution changes when using the Web Console or VMRC
HPE ProLiant iLO SSL Certificate Using Microsoft CA and PowerShell
How to add an SSL certificate to a HPE iLO using an internal Microsoft Certificate Authority
Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit
Overview of the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit 1.0 which can greatly increase your security posture
Podcast List July 2018
I listen to a lot of podcasts. Here is my list in July 2018
VMware Workstation Tech Preview 2018 REST API
The recently released Workstation Tech Preview now has an API interface like Fusion. This is how to get started.
MDT Gold Image VM Automation - More Automation
Further automation to an earlier script for Gold Image creation in MDT
Updating HPE iLO Firmware using PowerShell
How to update the firmware on multiple iLOs using the HPE PowerShell cmdlets
70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 Exam
I passed the 70-410 Exam. What did I use to study? Also some tips on the process
pfSense in VMware Workstation
I use pfSense in my nested lab. How do I setup and use it?
VMware Workstation 14 - Authorization Service Error
VMware Workstation would not start VM’s due to an issue with the VMware Authorization Service
Book Review - IT Architect Series: The Journey
A review of the book IT Architect Series: The Journey by Melissa Palmer
VMware Hands on Labs Raffle 2018
Want to win a all expenses paid trip to VMworld? Take a Hands on Lab to enter the raffle
GitHub Learning Lab
GitHub release a tool for learning GitHub.
Scottish VMUG - 26th April 2018
Recap of the April 2018 Scottish VMUG
Global Azure Bootcamp 2018
Recap of the Global Azure Bootcamp 2018 in Glasgow
Q1 Update on 2018 Goals
How am I doing on the goals I set for 2018?
Ubiquiti Unifi Home Network
My Unifi home network hardware review
vSphere 6.5 Update 1 Security Configuration Guide Released
The latest vSphere Security Configuration Guide is released. Learn about it here.
vCenter Server Appliance CLI Install
How to install the vCSA using the CLI Install and json file
PowerCLI v10.0.0 Released
PowerCLI v10.0.0 has been released. Learn how to update and solve some install issues here
VMware vExpert 2018
I was awarded VMware vExpert 2018 Status
RVTools 3.10 Released
The fantastic utility RVTools was updated to version 3.10
vCSA Root Disk Space Issue Caused by dnsmasq
How to fix a vCSA 6.0 that has run out of space due to large dnsmasq.log files
PowerShell Splatting
PowerShell Splatting can really help with the readability of your code
Introduction to Public Speaking for Techies Event
My notes from this event
Patching a Standalone ESXi Host
How to patch a ESXi host when VUM isn’t available
2018 Goals
My 2018 Goals - time to write them down
Using Terraform with vSphere vBrownBag
I presented a vBrownBag session on using vSphere with Terraform
2017
Adding VMware Drivers to Server 2012 R2 Boot Media
This post details how to add the VMXNET3 and PVSCSI Drivers into the Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO
VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale [V6] - On Demand Review
I recently took the O&S Course - On Demand. Here is my review
Failed the VCAP6-DCV Deploy
I failed the VCAP6-DCV Deploy - my thoughts
Scottish VMUG Community Blog
Launch of the Scottish VMUG Community Blog site
Scottish VMUG - 26th October 2017
Recap of the October 2017 Scottish VMUG
Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and Synology NAS
Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Synology NAS and SMBv1 is not a good combination
Upcoming Scottish VMUG - 26th October 2017
There is an upcoming Scottish VMware User Group meeting on the 26th October 2017
Terraform with vSphere - Part 4
This is Part 4 on how to use Terraform with vSphere. Let’s look at some resources for learning more
Terraform with vSphere - Part 3
This is Part 3 on how to use Terraform with vSphere. Let’s look at using Variables with Terraform
Terraform with vSphere - Part 2
This is Part 2 on how to use Terraform with vSphere. Let’s create a VM
Terraform with vSphere - Part 1
This is Part 1 on how to use Terraform with vSphere. Let’s get Terraform setup
Blogtober Tech Edition 2017
I am participating in Blogtober Tech Edition organised by Matt Heldstab
Microsoft Test Lab Guides
A gem of a resource from Microsoft to create various test labs
Sync Visual Studio Code Between Computers
Do you run copies of Visual Studio Code across multiple computers? You can sync the settings between them with an extension
Disabled SMB1 and VCSA Domain Join Failure
STOP using SMB1 - but this breaks joining a vCenter Server Appliance to a domain. Fix it here
Glasgow Azure Users Group August 2017
Recap of the August 2017 Glasgow Azure Users Group Meeting
Update to PowerCLI 6.5.2
PowerCLI 6.5.2 has been released. Learn how to update from 6.5.1
VMware vExpert 2017
I was awarded VMware vExpert 2017 Status!
Upcoming Scottish PowerShell & DevOps User Group Meeting
There is an upcoming Scottish PowerShell & DevOps User Group meeting on the 22nd August 2017
Upcoming Glasgow Azure User Group Meeting
There is an upcoming Glasgow Azure User Group meeting on the 23rd August 2017
Free Microsoft eBooks
Microsoft publish 300+ free ebooks - get them here
Blog Migration Part 3 - Workflow
Part 3 of 3 on how I migrated this blog to GitHub Pages
Blog Migration Part 2 - Customisation
Part 2 of 3 on how I migrated this blog to GitHub Pages
Blog Migration Part 1 - Setup
Part 1 of 3 on how I migrated this blog to GitHub Pages
PowerCLI 6.5.1 Installation
Automate the install of PowerCLI 6.5.1
Scotland VMUG April 2017
Recap of the April 2017 Scottish VMUG
VCP6-DCV Delta Exam
I passed the VCP 6 Delta Exam
HPE ProLiant iLO Configuration using PowerShell
Use PowerShell to configure your HPE iLO
MDT Gold Image VM Automation
Use PowerCLI to build your MDT GOLD Image
I’m Colin Westwater, and this is how I work
Details how I work at my day job
PowerCLI 6.5 R1 Poster
PowerCLI 6.5 R1 Poster download link
VCP 6 – Data Center Virtualization Delta Exam PDF Blueprint
Download a PDF of the VCP 6 Delta Exam blueprint
Welcome!
Initial Blog post