PowerCLI

Configuring ESXi for iSCSI Storage Using PowerCLI

Configuring host VMKernel adapters for iSCSI can be a time consuming process. PowerCLI can take away a lot if not all of the effort. Below is an example of using PowerCLI to create a Standard Virtual Switch (vSS), configure a VMKernel adapter, set the VLAN, enable the software iSCSI adapter (if that’s what you are using), bind it to the required network adapter and finally, add a dynamic Discovery target and rescanning the HBA’s.

Monday, August 10, 2020 | 4 minutes Read

Configuring Encrypted vMotion With PowerCLI

Encrypted vMotion is a feature available in vSphere 6.5 onwards. It is something that is always used to secure vMotions of encrypted virtual machines, its a required option, but is optional for non encrypted virtual machines. By default, non encrypted virtual machines will be set to ‘opportunistic’. If both the source and destination hosts support it (so ESXi 6.5 onwards), vMotions will be encrypted. If the source or destination does not support it, then the vMotion traffic will not be encrypted.

Thursday, July 9, 2020 | 2 minutes Read

Creating Virtual Distributed Port Groups Using PowerCLI

I recently needed to create a new Distributed Port Group and set a specific load balancing policy on an existing Distributed Switch. Nothing to exciting, but a task many have to complete. As this is a common repeatable task, i put together this short .ps1 to allow a repeatable way of completing this. You can find the file here on GitHub Just populate the Variables section with required information like so…

Monday, June 29, 2020 | 2 minutes Read

Deploying Custom Virtual Standard Switches for Management

I have been rebuilding my lab hosts a lot lately! Once because I fiddled too much with my vSAN cluster and killed it… Another more interesting occasion being the release of VCF 4.0 on VMUG and beginning the deployment of this! I prefer to use Standard vSwitches for my management network in my labs and needed a quick and easy way to get the hosts back online with minimal effort. One thing I don’t like is seeing vSwitch0… I prefer seeing useful and descriptive naming, like I’m sure many others do!

Thursday, June 11, 2020 | 2 minutes Read

Installing PowerCLI using Install-Module

I was asked recently ‘Do we have PowerCLI downloaded?’. Yes, we may, but it could be anywhere and it is likely an outdated version. There is no need to download the installer! You can install PowerCLI using the Install-Module cmdlet in Windows PowerShell. (Providing you have an internet connection!) Below we will look at the steps required to install the latest version of PowerCLI on your system. From an elevated PowerShell prompt run the following -

Wednesday, May 27, 2020 | 2 minutes Read