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Setting up a Splunk Server to Monitor a VMware Environment

dconvery — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:43:32 GMT

Introduction

Gathering and maintaining log files is an important part of a server administrator's duties. Using a centralized logging server, such as a sylog server offers several benefits. The log files become useful for troubleshooting purposes, if needed. Also, keeping an unaltered set of logs in a different location can aid in forensic activities after an attack.

This document explains how to set up Splunk for monitoring a VMware Environment. This includes monitoring the ESX/ESXi Server logs, the vCenter Server Logs and some of the add-on services to vCenter. It also includes generic event logging for Windows and Linux guest operating systems.

Intended Audience

VMware Certified Professionals, System Management / Sysadmin / Operations

Outline

Requirements
Preparing the Splunk Server
Installing Splunk Server
Setting up ESX Servers and Linux VMs for Monitoring
Setting up ESXi Servers for Monitoring
Setting up vCenter Servers and Windows VMs for Monitoring
Adding Miscellaneous Log Files to Splunk for Monitoring

Resources

Author

David Convery, VMware vExpert 2009

Also check out http://www.dailyhypervisor.com/ |

Disclaimer

You use this proven practice at your discretion. VMware, http://www.dailyhypervisor.com and the author do not guarantee any results from the use of this proven practice. This proven practice is provided on an as-is basis and is for demonstration purposes only.

Proven Practice: Setting Up VMware Consolidated Backup for any Backup Software

dconvery — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:50:31 GMT

Introduction

Instead of installing backup agents in all of our guests and backing up over the LAN, we prefer to use VCB with our chosen backup provider in LAN-free mode.

VMware Consolidated Backup enables the LAN-free operation by providing access to the VMDKs and quiescing guest disk operations to provide a clean backup, but you still need backup software to read the mounted disk and back it up.

This document explains how to set up and use VCB with any backup software, including those that do not have an integration kit provided by VMware.

Intended Audience

VMware Certified Professionals, Storage Management / Sysadmin / Operations / Backup experts.

Outline

Understanding VCB
Installation Sequence
System Configuration
Backing Up VMs
Recoving VMs and Files
Architecture Design Considerations
Troubleshooting
Using VCB in a VM with Hot-Add mode
Performing FullVM Type Backups on Selected VM Disks
Sample Backup Scripts
Reference Documents

Resources

Author

David Convery, Senior Systems Engineer, vExpert 2009

Also check out http://www.dailyhypervisor.com |

Delivering The Promise of Virtualization

VIRTERA's virtual infrastructure solutions provide strategic, high-value IT consulting to Enterprise and mid-enterprise organizations and our partners nationwide. We deliver these services based on our proven vSpectrum methodology, which ensures successful and rapid adoption of virtualization technologies and delivers optimum return on IT investments.

Our unique strategy group tests and analyzes virtualization trends across the entire virtual ecosystem to create these leading-edge business solutions to" future proof" our clients' IT infrastructure

Disclaimer

You use this proven practice at your discretion. VMware, VIRTERA and the author do not guarantee any results from the use of this proven practice. This proven practice is provided on an as-is basis and is for demonstration purposes only.

Proven Practice: Integrating VCB with Netbackup 6.0 and vRangerPro

dconvery — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:33:53 GMT

Metadata

Title	Proven Practice: Integrating VCB with Netbackup 6.0 and vRangerPro
Version	VIRTERA 21/AUG/2008 1.0
Author	Delivering The Promise of Virtualization VIRTERA's virtual infrastructure solutions provide strategic, high-value IT consulting to Enterprise and mid-enterprise organizations and our partners nationwide. We deliver these services based on our proven vSpectrum methodology, which ensures successful and rapid adoption of virtualization technologies and delivers optimum return on IT investments. Our unique strategy group tests and analyzes virtualization trends across the entire virtual ecosystem to create these leading-edge business solutions to" future proof" our clients' IT infrastructure David Convery, Senior Systems Engineer
Tags	availability backup netbackup_6.0 VCB vmware_consolidated_backup vRangerPro
Location	http://viops.vmware.com/home/docs/DOC-1133
Context	Instead of installing backup agents in all of our guests and backing up over the LAN, we prefer to use VCB with our chosen backup provider in LAN-free mode. VMware Consolidated Backup enables the LAN-free operation by providing access to the VMDKs and quiescing guest disk operations to provide a clean backup, but you still need backup software to read the mounted disk and back it up. In our case we use Netbackup 6.0 with an option to use vRangerPro to create an easier method of backing up VMs
Actors	VMware Certified Professionals, Storage Management / Sysadmin / Operations / Backup experts
References	See attached document.
Disclaimer	You use this proven practice at your discretion. VMware, VIRTERA and the author do not guarantee any results from the use of this proven practice. This proven practice is provided on an as-is basis and is for demonstration purposes only.

How to use this document

This document is a reference implementation with screenshots to show you exactly how I did the installation. You should be able to follow this very closely, but of course make changes to reflect your environment.

Need for "Proven Scripts"

dconvery — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:31:30 GMT

I just wanted to beat Steve to the punch :o)

How about "Proven Scripts" that are checked by someone other than the poster before being published? VCB scripts, Kickstart scripts, DRS?HA setup...Maybe somenice automated ESXi configuration scripts.

Steve mentioned that maybe a separate scripting section will be created.

WELL?????

Dave

Has anyone figured out VCB 1.5 custom quiescing scripts?

dconvery — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:53:19 GMT

After further testing, I can confirm that ALL custom scripts placed in the backupScripts.d directory will execute during both the pre-freeze AND post-thaw events. This means that logic needs to be placed in the script so that the desired result is gained. If no "IF' statements are contained in the scripts, they will be executed during both the pre-freeze and post-thaw events, which could be undesireable. I also confirmed that these script names are NOT case-sensitive.

A script with "if %1% == "freeze'" as the first argument - it will execute as a pre freeze script.

A script with "if %1% == "thaw"" as the first argument - it will execute as a post thaw script.

If multiple scripts exist in backupScripts.d, AND the contain the argument, they are executed in order as documented (reverse for thaw)

Dave