Just another techie blog...

Ever had a subject that you wanted to publicly speak about? I have, but I think I’ll blog it first instead. First let me just say, the VMware community is amazing. The amount of continuous sharing of information blows me away. I am extremely excited for VMworld.

I feel like i’ve been lucky in my career. Mind you, I’m 26 and it hasn’t been that long of one yet, but i’ve had interesting work, very supportive upper management and enough rapid growth that its scary to imagine where I would have been if I had stayed working in a technical support role. But the simple fact still remains that there is a whole lot of potential people who share the same amount of enthusiasm that I do, just waiting to get a chance to show what they are worth.

As I’ve progressed, I’ve understood that to move forward in a technical career, sometimes you have to invest a lot more time than you anticipated. You put in the hours, tackle the frustration and muscle through it. In the end, you learn new skills on a platform or hardware that is a useful skill for a career.

What makes the VMware community in my opinion so valuable, is that there are so many people willing to give advice or point you in the right direction, that its almost like a multitude of mentors. Mentors in any technical field are a very valuable thing. Now, you can be a blogger, a coworker, a speaker for VMUG or a manager. Any of those roles can help shape the younger professional’s career, because I think people forget that at its core, you are making the people around you stronger and better.  

Unfortunately, thats not always the case. It seems that people and companies don’t necessarily invest in the younger techies and its honestly a little disappointing. If there is nothing else that I do for the community, I hope its that I help younger techies get in here and show us what they can do.

As I said earlier, I’ve had very supportive upper management. I’ve been given opportunities that still shock me and we should all be helping to do the same for others. Do you work for a company thats refreshing some hardware? Hand the oldies but goodies over to some of the younger staff and see what they can build with it. Give them a chance at designing an environment. Got some spare cycles? Gauge their interest by asking them to “come check out how to use PowerCLI”, or something to that effect. As I’ve talked with people in VMUG, i’ve seen that there is program call Feed4ward to mentor VMUG speakers. I think thats awesome! I hope to see more involvement from my Local VMUG group and reading about it on twitter. I don’t consider myself at that entire level just yet, but hope to be later on.

Now, a word to the young pro’s. Get interested! Don’t make your job about punching in and punching out. While studying for my degree in IST, it was disappointing to see so many people not really interested in the field, and merely taking the degree as an easy . Find a product, platform or solution that you think is amazing and run with it way to better pay. Love the work that you do, or want to do. If you show interest, mentors will come.

I should be posting more often, so here is a first attempt.

Needed to consider moving to the vCSA, both because I am killing the SQL Express database, and also because it would make moving to vSphere 6 easier. In an effort to do so, I happened to hear about a fling (funny, the names given things by engineers), that was developed by VMware engineers during the Orlando VMUG event. I read through the entire comments page, making sure there was nothing seriously wrong with it’s current iteration. First thing that stood out was that it was made for Windows vCenter deployments that use an external database. Carp. Don’t have that. After discussing all of this and working on this with Shannon Fitzpatrick (@shanfitz), we decided to move forward. We built a test environment to work on this, so as not to disturb our production deployments.

William Lam (@lamw) pointed out further in the comments that he had success doing a procedure to side step that, that allowed him to migrate a SQL Express database. Essentially, the fling requires you to power down the original vCenter Deployment, then power on the vCSA. The vCSA should be deployed with the same IP and Hostname as the original, and you just need to do some configuration work to get it going. 

I thought, great! I’ll just Re-IP when it asks me to power it down, point the fling at the new IP when it wants to copy the SQL DB and viola! Except it wasn’t that easy. Of course it wasn’t.

First and foremost, make sure that when you deploy the appliance, to use the web interface. It naturally has the ability to put the IP and Hostname into the pre-configuration portion of the VM deployment. This didn’t happen with the fat client on windows, so I found myself trying to edit the SUSE Linux files to deploy the IP and Hostname that I wanted. Not as fun, but not hard for me either.

Second, after deploying the vCSA via the web client, I would disconnect the NIC. This made it so that there was no IP conflicts happening on the network and I didn’t have to wait for it to boot, yes I am too lazy to wait 10-17 seconds. Shannon made this recommendation and it was perfect.

So here we go, started the migration, copying the data from the Windows Server version of vCenter, and it took all but the DB, which was expected. I re-IP’d the vCenter server, shutdown the VirtualCenter Server service and attempted to continued to the DB portion of the fling. This is where the fun happened. As I sat there trying to figure out the “sa” DB User password, I couldn’t get it to work. It was a complete pain in the rear on this, and no matter what I tried, no go.

Ok, well after a couple tries, the fling even gives up and moves on, it just gives you the option to continue the migration, starting with connecting to the vCSA all over again, or starting from the beginning. Apparently even the fling thought it best to start back from one. Reset, and start again. So I left the vCSA running and disconnected the NIC. Re-IP’d the original back into place and tried again. No go, apparently when you start the fling it also stops the vpxd service on the vCSA, so when you are back to the “Power up the appliance” stage, you should start the vCenter service from the management web console. Little tip I learned. After awhile, it was just easier to spin up a copy of SQL temporarily and backup the DB and and restore it externally. But learned something there as well. Now I’m no DBA, but apparently when you set the backup location, and you decide to also add a location that is easier for you to find, it puts files in both locations. So when I transferred the backup, or what I thought was the backup, from the easier location, I really only had 1 out of 2 of the “family” of files. After googling, since I’m no DBA, i noticed I needed both. So now, naturally my personal notes day in almost bold lettering “DO NOT TOUCH the backup location”.

Since I got to set the “sa” users password myself in the temp deployment of SQL Server, it was smooth sailing from there. The DB copied over just fine, no hiccups or issues. And to top it all off, the access rights were already there, the inventory was ready to go, and not a single host was having issues.

I don’t know why I can only write on this blog once a year, but man, its a chore to blog!

As always, i’m trying to include more of what is happening now. Maybe I ‘ll try again. Otherwise, don’t expect much yet.

As of late, I’ve done well within the VMware side of things, my what a rollercoaster that has been. More progress to be made, and hopefully more photography too. Gotta use that 6d thats sitting around.... here... somewhere. Darnit.

In the meantime, watch a cat video, or something. I don’t know.

Since my last post, I made an Asterisk VoIP server to power the phone system for my church. It's been running fine for a while now, but a lot has changed since.

I used to be a Family Room Specialist for an Apple Store. What that means is I fixed/replaced iPhones, iPads, iPods and was also working on Macs. In the time that I was doing that, I met a lady that asked about projects that I work on. I spoke about Asterisk and how I was fascinated by it, and had a blast building out a VoIP PBX. Turned out her husband managed a Data Center NOC team in town for a company that does self service call applications! VoIP! She came back some time later and gave me his card.

Held onto it for a year and later called him up about the company. Just the normal "what is the company all about, are there internships?" types of talk. There was in fact an internship position open and I was given the opportunity to fill it. I managed the Assets and Inventory for awhile, and got that taken care of as well as work with others on some interesting projects.

Roll forward 6 months and I went full time. WOOT! Move forward another 3 months and that's where things went crazy, in a good way. More on that later.

Sitting or standing, the whole of another universe is available to us. Yet at this very moment, I have no clue as to my destination. I have the whole of the internet and yet nothing I wish to see.

For those very few that follow or even read this blog. No worries, I am again finding renewed vigor to post again. I am moving the technology related topics to another blog. This secondary blog is located at geekjourney.tumblr.com. I hope you enjoy the new stuff and I have quite a few catch up posts to make.

Photos from the Snow Patrol Orlando Concert that I shot. Great concert, had a lot of fun shooting photos.

Words are expressive, be it verbally or written on a page. They express feelings and emotions in ways that can be attached to even our soul. Not to say that everyone is equally expressive with their words or other forms of communication, but some are more keen to use their words first. Such instances rival most, because in that moment you find the ability to express yourself, another aligns with you and can breathe it in, and visualize what they are reading or listening to.

For all, they start with simple words like mom and dad. At the beginning of your life, you build the foundation for the medium of your communication, of course its most common name is language. Verbal or not, we start with the basic necessities that let others know what we need or want. As life progresses, we build a repertoire of words we call our vocabulary. As well, these are shaped by our needs and desires, but soon form around the words given by our environment.

We move forward and we find ourselves in a place that wants to add and structure those words. Words that derive from each and every feeling we come to acquaint ourselves with. School as it is formerly called can be a place to thrive with your words, or it can be a place to lose them. After many lessons upon lessons for years at a time, we hope that in the end our words can be used to make a difference. In the least we could use the to express ourselves and our opinions.

Humanity, the focus by which should be on the minds of all human beings, has dwindled in their need to better themselves. During the inception of television, the idea was to spread education past the classroom. Computers were meant to provide access to vasts amount of information. Yes, at the base you could say that we have accomplished this goal, but you must understand that we have taken these things and bent their purpose. We have molded that reason for being into far less purposefulness uses. Have we stalled out, becoming comfortable with our current ways? Have we forgotten that these devices are far more useful than just watching a random video.

Since 2007, I've envied and ogled those with iPhones. I would think "Man, one day sprint will get it and i'll be right on par with them all!" Oh thank heaven that day has come. But what is this?? I have an iPhone! AMAZING!! The iPhone 4S hardware, coupled with the iOS 5 software works perfectly in tandem to give a rich mobile experience.

So what went wrong? Well, to put it lightly, Sprint did. I am not sure if Sprint couldn't handle the network, or if they were not adequately prepared the new device for their service. Its one thing to have the device. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, for coming to grips with the fact that without it you would have died. Literally killing the company, but as it stands, most users are not even getting 1 mbps. This is a shameful standing for calling the data service 3G. Speeds like this were the reason iphone users loved moving from edge to 3G, and not it seems we have to wait again for sprint.

Though a little late to be said, its hard to truly put this into words. I've written this over and over many different times and different ways, and now, I have to sit down and put down the first thing that comes to mind.

Most people live without having a real role model. Others have fleeting bits of inspiration by someone for short periods of time. Few people have someone that they look at and think, "...if only I was the tiniest fraction of that." This is for the one that gave me those moments.

I've never truly had it hard. Quite frankly my life has been pretty nice. I've never faced true hardship, though my grades would at times give me stress. I find inspiration from few people that show me what it is like to push themselves, and the lives around them to truly be their best. Now, the man that define that inspiration, and is one of the leading reasons for where I currently work has passed.

His work shaped the way we communicate, play, and grow. His foresight in design and quality helped make products that anyone could use, and for us, are extremely easy to teach. It has never been about the shiny, new thing, as much as it has been about that on thing you know works, feels, and runs well. He influence and strict nature for quality pushed product design, and in doing so, defined the word.

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.

In the store we talk about owning our roles, and being the very best at what we are currently tasked to do. All of this reminding me that of all people to be doing just that, he was. We don't invent the wheel or introduce something that doesn't already have a genre. But, what we do is make them enjoyable, easy and fun. Taking the complex and simplifying them to make it available to the masses in a way anyone could understand. It took someone with that special mindset to create it, surrounded by other brilliant thinkers. Because when you inspire a group of them to build something unique, you know it will turn out great.

It takes a lot to run a company the way he did, but he did it well. His reach in every aspect of the business helped him bring some truly quality products to fruition, and despite how hard it is to be a part of everything, he made it look easy. Someone I know best put it,

I can tell you that I have been in consumer electronics for a LONG time, and it is unbelievable how many stories come out about [him] knowing such amazing detail about every product, every feature, every material selection in a store's architecture, every color, everything.  No CEO that I've worked under had such amazing reach in our businesses.

Its not about micro-managing everything, as much as making sure that every aspect of what you produce, was made by the best to be the best. Quality trumps all, and he made sure to show that every time.

He defined passion and inspired many to be the same. Its hard to find anyone that can do the same. A passion that drove people to become more than they expected, even down the the people who provide it in the store. We are there because we love it, we are there because he inspired us to be passionate, and I know the stores will do their best to provide that legacy for many years.

personally, after reading the quote above from a family member, I had to write something back.

Coming from the Retail Perspective I went from working at CVS to the Apple store, taking a paycut knowing full well that I would love my job. I wasn't wrong. The atmosphere and the people I get to share knowledge with everyday is amazing. Joining visual team, even if briefly, I saw the same meticulous detail of our products put into the store. Every detail is considered and accounted for, and we try to uphold to it as best we can. Going from Specialist to FRS (Family Room Specialist) and helping with technical support broadened my view, and showed our support for our customers, going out of our way to make each of their days a little nicer. I may only have 10 minutes a person, but we try and make them count. Over all, my experience at Apple so far has been exciting, intriguing and always inspiring. As every day passed and I learned how to "own my role" as we say, I saw more of Steve Jobs inspiration into how these stores came to be the way they are. Do we all have a lump in our throats? Yes, that goes without saying. I wish I could have met the man that inspired so many, and to have even a fraction of that ability to inspire others.

You walk through life minding your own business, watching the world being shaped around you. Though most people don't know who it is shaping this world, I saw, and I am glad to have lived in an era that gave us such a person. I'm glad to have been a part of the experience that enriched so many lives.

He's inspired me time and time again to push quality over quantity in every bit of work I do. He has help drive my aspirations to want to help the world, and make a dent in the universe. One day, hopefully, I'll get that chance.

I'll only say his name once, because there could only be one. So it is with a heart felt farewell and a lump in my throat that I say goodbye to one of the greatest role models of our time. So long Steve Jobs, you owned your role, and defined what it means to be a great leader.

In an age of ever changing gadgets, gizmos, knick-knacks and something-or-others, we never take the time to appreciate what went in to make these things possible. We wake up every morning, make breakfast, brush our teeth and drive to work. But, do we ever stop and think about saying thank you to Charles Strite, William Addis or Henry Ford? of course not. These things have been a part of our every day lives.

rn

These and many other people, gave their time, their passion and their sanity to the development of man kind. No matter how small the contribution, they produced inventions that shaped our history. We may not know who each and every one of them are, but we recognize those who still push the envelope today.

rn

When you think about inventing, images of a better, brighter future, fueled by flying cars and 70's models come to mind. Inventing, changing and forming the future into a world of peace and ease. Engineers slaving over work benches to make their device just perfect, so that they can make their mark on the work, and contribute to that ideal image.

rn

And though, even if the image seems skewed today, not exactly resembling what once was dreamed in those labs years ago, we still dream on. Encouraged and impassioned by innovators today, that peaceful and powerful image of our hopeful future is still thriving in our minds. with bated breathe, we wait for the next set of men and women to step up to the plate, with hope we watch as they tire away, and with faith we watch them change the world.

rn

I'm happy to have been able to see a moment like this, and sad to see such a man take a step back. But, as most like them, they can never truly stop, and it is with pride I say that I am happy to have helped him, even in the smallest of manners.

rn

Steve Jobs, an extraordinary inventor, stepped down as CEO or a company he turn into an empire. A man that set out to make an imprint on an industry, and instead made his mark on the world. He is in the truest sense, the ultimate entrepreneur, and one of the most idolized men living today.

rn

His attention to detail and unshakable business has brought him from that man in his garage, to one of the foremost leaders of this generation. He is an inspiration to each inventors dreams and inspirations, and the role model for every engineer. I look forward to the changes that Tim Cook brings to Apple, and trust Steve's faith in his replacement.

rn

If ever there were a company, that has or could bring that vision of man kinds future to fruition, be it directly or indirectly, that company is Apple. From consumer to employee, thank you for the opportunity, not just to witness, but to be a small part of such an awesome generation of change.

After a long day and sitting down in front of my desk, an overwhelming tiredness settled. After a long week of long nights, little sleep and a constant urgency to catch up, I needed a break. Typically this feeling is met with some form of distraction to take my mind off the week and that usually means some gaming.  Steam is open and Black Ops it is, but it doesn’t seem to cut it. What now? Should I just try to work through a web project? kick myself into continuing my work day? This too is met with a short lived moment of productivity. I can’t seem to place what direction I’d like to let my mind wander, and its frustrating. Why can’t I just relax?!  I soon settled on Netflix, thinking i could find a movie to entertain my brain till I shutdown from lack of sleep. Yes my friends this is the low point. But, as it were, Leslie Iwerks, director, writer and producer of “The Pixar Story” seemed to be looking out for me.  I had noticed the documentary in Netflix not long ago and put off watching it over and over. Oh, but not today. I noticed the movie starring me in the face, and my intrigue with Pixar, Apple and Disney compelled me to click. Like a brainwashed monkey trained for a task, i moved the cursor to my selected target and readied myself for a reminder of my first ever choice of career.  Let me explain that last statement. You see, while 7th grade came and left, i had made a conscious decision to choose my path in life. Looking at my interests, I had derived this monuments epiphany simply on the basis that I love movies, drawing and computers that I wanted to grow up to become a Computer Animator. The decision was made all so fast, practically in a day. It was then I started searching, learning and guiding myself in methods of digital media.

So, coming back to the present, I was intrigued to watch the story of their beginning. How Pixar came to be the massive giant in the feature film industry it is today. Granted I started this film to kill time and relax. Now as the story progressed, the infectious fever of creativity  flowed from the screen towards myself.  I sat, not only completely intrigued, but inspired. The levels of passion these men had, pioneering a new field was contagious. I felt 13 again, looking on my future wanting to do something great (not to say that I’m old, since I’m still quite young).

These days, I may not be interested in Computer Animation, but I have high hopes on my path. Its not about the money, never was. The idea of pushing, or creating something that effects the lives of everyone you touch, is all the feeling I want. Sure you need to get paid, but whats the point if you’re not enjoying it? You gain nothing by just making money.

so im trying to get back to this, will try to post more, but as of now, im super tired... callin' it a night.

CJ working his tricaster magic for todays sermon.