SaltConf 2021 - Presentation Replay

November 12, 2021 in - "Managing Windows with SaltStack Config"

I did SaltConf presentation for the first time at SaltConf 2021. Here is a replay of the video if you want to watch. Hope you enjoy and learn something. Session Details: Date: November 4th. Time: 10:00 am - 10:50 am Details: Track 1 - Managing Windows with SaltStack Config Presenters: Vincent Riccio and Dale Hassinger In this Presentation we showed how to use SaltStack Config to manage Microsoft Windows Servers.

SaltConf 2021 - SaltStack Config Session

October 2, 2021 in - "Manage Windows Workloads Through vRealize Automation SaltStack Config"

I will be doing a SaltConf presentation for the first time at SaltConf 2021. I attended SaltConf 2020 for the first time after VMware purchased SaltStack Config. This past year I have spent a lot of time reviewing SaltStack Config as a Windows Server Admin and I am excited to share what I have learned to hopefully help some Windows Server Admins get started. I wanted to learn one of the configuration Management products for a couple of years and after VMware purchased SaltStack Config the decision became obvious to me which one I should learn since I live in VMware vRealize Products all day, every day.

VMworld 2021 - SaltStack Config Session

August 12, 2021 in - "Manage Windows Workloads Through vRealize Automation SaltStack Config [MCL1895]"

I will be doing a VMworld presentation for the first time at VMworld 2021. I have attended VMworld since 2012 and it has been a goal of mine to do a presentation at a VMworld since the first year I attended. There are always so many good sessions to attend. We are putting many hours into this presentation so that the people attending feel it was worth their time and learn a lot about the topic.

Automating Automation (Updated)

April 29, 2021 in - "Using vRO REST API. - (Updated for vRA 8.4)"

I recently had a use case where I wanted to execute a vRealize Orchestrator Workflow by using REST API. There is some documentation available but not a lot of details on how to get and use variables, sdk-objects and bearer token for permission. Here is how I made the vRO REST API calls with PowerShell using vRealize Orchestrator built-into vRA. Steps: Permission: Need to get a Bearer Token from vRO to make REST API Call to execute Workflow.

How to use PowerShell Modules with vRA 8.2

January 18, 2021 in - "Options to use PowerShell Modules"

I like to review VMware vRA (vRealize Automation) 8.2 as a Microsoft Windows Server Admin. Most of the reviews you see are creating Linux VMs and customizing the OS using tools for Linux. I create Windows/Linux VMs and customize the OS using a new feature added to vRA 8.x, Action Based Extensibility (ABX) with PowerShell. In my vRA 7.6 environment I use a PowerShell Host to run processes and on the PowerShell Host is where I install all the PS Modules that I use.

Infoblox 1.1 plugin for vRA 8.1

June 14, 2020 in - "Infoblox IPAM integration - Dan Grove"

I recently setup the Infoblox 1.1 plugin for vRA 8.1 and ran into an interesting challenge that I thought I would share. The setup of the plugin is straight forward; follow the documentation and you’ll likely be set. However, if you use custom DNS views in Infoblox (internal, external, etc.) then some additional configuration is required that’s not easily identified. Out of the box, the Infoblox IPAM integration comes with only a few default properties.

What is vRealize Automation - Episode 21

May 29, 2020 in - "IT Reality Podcast"

I have been listening to Podcasts for many years. Everyday while driving to and from work I would listen to a Podcast. Anytime I traveled to a conference I would download hours worth of Podcasts to listen to while flying. Most of the Podcasts I listen to are Technology related. Here are some of my favorites: IT Reality Virtual Speaking Podcast Develop Great Managers vBrown Bag Automators Mac Power Users Twit Network of Podcasts I have had an interest to be a guest on a Podcast for several years.

vRealize Automation 8.1 - PowerShell ABX

May 17, 2020 in - "Creating PowerSell ABX for the Windows Admin using vRA"

I wanted to review VMware vRA (vRealize Automation) 8.x as a Microsoft Windows Server Admin. Most of the reviews you see are creating Linux VMs and customizing the OS using tools for Linux. I am going to create Windows Server VMs and customize the OS using a new feature added to vRA 8.1, Action Based Extensibility (ABX) with PowerShell. No vRO (Orchestrator) Workflows will be used. This is completely different compared to how I create Windows Servers with vRA 7.