Booked first certification exam for this year-74-409

Today i'm very happy to announce that, i booked my first certification exam for this year i.e. 74-409: Server Virtualization with Windows Server Hyper-V and System Center. Yes, it's Microsoft Hyper-V certification, as you guys already know from my previous posts, i do have MCITP certification in win svr 2008 and i got free exam voucher from Microsoft after attending the MVA course, so i thought it's better to utilise it now to upgrade my certification before free exams get expired (although the last date is June,2014).

Now, i'm going to brush-up my MS Hyper-V skills and prepare Lab environment for Hand-on-time with MS Hyper-V and System Center. I also found some more online resources and ebooks for studying.

Some excellent Resources for the exam:-
1) Study Guide/Blue print from msandbu.wordpress.com
http://msandbu.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/study-resources-74-409-server-virtualization-with-windows-server-hyper-v-and-system-center/

2)Tabular format study guide from bjornhouben.wordpress.com
http://bjornhouben.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/microsoft-preparing-for-free-exam-74-409-server-virtualization-with-windows-server-hyper-v-and-system-center/

3)MVA course Videos and PPT's (almost 16-18 hours of material)

Exam Details:-

Published:	November 05, 2013
Language(s):	English
Audience(s):	IT Professionals
Technology:	Windows Server 2012
Type: Duration: Cost:	Proctored Exam 3 Hours 15 Minutes 4500 INR/ 80 USD

For more details hop-on to http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam.aspx?id=74-409

And at the end one good news for you guys, the free voucher offer is still valid and you can log to MVA portal and checkout the training, then go to below URL for grabbing your free voucher, go and grab it before the offer expire..

http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/offers/virtualizationsquaredoffer#?fbid=Q9bvOihADCL

Exploring Python-verse

As i'm progressing towards Learning Python (Progress 36%), i thought that it is better idea to explore Python and how to utilize Python with virtualization. So, i ran a google search, of course,  first for VMware then for other platforms. i was astonished with the information that i got after all the searches.
Utility for Python on Virtualization platforms:-
1)Python libraries, API, SDK and Client is available for VMware vSphere Infrastructure.

2)Python Scripting, Libraries, SDK and API available for KVM.

3)Python is used to write Openstack and is fully compatible with OpenStack Components/Elements from top to bottom.

4)Python can be used for accessing Xen API.

5)Python can be used to control guest VM's on Hyper-V hosts.

So, now you also got the whole Python picture, that python is very versatile and has extensible coverage of virtualization platform.

All these points mentioned above gives only one message(in Bold), START LEARNING PYTHON, if you want to get more out of your virtual infrastructure, Automate the tasks, impress your employer/colleagues and Get a HIKE..(very touchy topic). Yeah, i understand, no one becomes master of python on virtual infrastructure, by just going through fundamentals course, you still need to dig up python libraries and API's from virtualization companies to unleash the true potential of Python, but you can consider it as your first steps towards climbing the ladder.

Although Python language is a general purpose language and it started gaining a lot of momentum in past 4-5 years. today python has tons of implementations in web, scripting, operating system, security etc. Python already secured eighth position in world's top programming language and comes third in most popular language.

So, don't leave this opportunity of Learning Python, wear your Learning hat and hop-on.

My Progress Towards Learning Python

Hi guys, as you already know, one of my new year's resolution is "Learning Python Language". I started on this before new year started and i'm utilizing codeacademy.com's trusted code learning  platform. there you can learn php, ruby, javascript, HTML/CSS etc. apart from Python. till date my experience with the site is very good and the training methodology is really a fun-way to learn programming. although i had a background in programming, but any novice user can easily learn coding by following codeacademy's instructions. they divided the course cleverly into small modules, and each module ends with small tasks to complete. the learning modules include Hints for exercise and best part of online learning through codeacademy is you don't have to configure python into your system at all. what you need is a modern browser and working internet, it's really simple(i think in future every human being will need only two things, you guessed it right!). if you haven't decided yet, which language you need to Learn (Click Learn to find out), and if you already make-up your mind hop on to codeacademy.com and sign-up for learning. here you can share you're progress with friends and colleagues on Social networks and you can get encouragement from your peers to achieve your new years goals and once you get a command over one language start working on some project work of your own to enhance your skill set further.

For guys, who do have an interest in learning linux command line and powershell scripting they can hop on to below Links for some cool learning tips-

1)Linux Command Line
http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-quickly-learn-terminal-commands-1494082178

2)Powershell Scripting
http://mikefrobbins.com/2014/01/03/powershell-tip-1-from-the-winner-of-the-advanced-category-in-the-2013-scripting-games/

both the links have awesome tips ready for you.. start learnin..and one thing to mention here that in lifehacker's "first time language learning" survey, Python comes third.

Hurray!!

One Quick Little Post-Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!!!

Yes, i know the post heading says it all, but my point here is to force everyone out there to improvise all the resources available over the internet to their full extent and keep improving your job search.

few points to share:-

1) Keep the copy of resume updated at all times. whenever you switch job, add your current role/job to CV ASAP.

2)Keep your profile updated in almost all Job Portals, whether international or national or even local. Every job portal is important.

3)Keep your Job site profile 100% complete, don't leave any section empty i.e upload your recent photo, verify your email id and verify your phone/mobile number.

4)Keep your CV within limits, for example:-

a)Consider a One-Page Resume If:

• You have less than 5 years of experience.  
• You're pursuing a radical career change, and your experience isn't relevant to your new goal. 
• You've held one or two positions with one employer.

b)Consider a Two-Page Resume If:

• You have 10 or more years of experience related to your goal. 
• Your field requires technical or engineering skills, and you need space to list and prove your technical knowledge.

c)Consider a Three-Page Resume or Longer If:

• You're a senior-level manager or executive with a long track record of leadership accomplishments.
• You are in an academic or scientific field with an extensive list of publications, speaking engagements, professional courses, licenses or patents.

Credit-how-to-decide-on-resume-length

5)Keep your social network updated and have regular conversation with them, most important keep them posted whenever you start searching for the job or open for job change. these days jobs by reference are very common.

6)Keep your social internet network updated like Facebook, linked -in and twitter etc with all relevant information and endorsements from work colleagues.

7)This one is really important, keep faith on yourself and your knowledge- still, keep on improving. this will give you the most important thing "CONFIDENCE".

8) Good Read for Geeks Job tips
http://jobtipsforgeeks.com/2014/02/10/apply/

9)Get your CV analysed for Free
naukri.com resume-quality-score

One more favorite site from my bag of goodies
http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/home3/
this guy @Ramit sethi has awesome free stuff on his site, i know you got the hint from the site name.

have a good peace full night...:-)

How to Turn off Network Manager completely for a specific network adapter through Ifcfg-ethX file

Recently, Microsoft released new version of Linux Integration Services i.e. 3.5. This new integration pack will help virtualize linux operating system stack with much better support on Microsoft virtualization platform Hyper-V. This integration pack features a very useful feature, which i like a lot and miss it in vmware (Set-VMGuestNetworkInterface cmdlet) i.e. Static IP Injection <- this link details the functionality. Although for achieving this you must install integration tools in guest OS and specially for Linux OS the "Network Manager" must be completely off for the network adaptor, which you are using for enabling the  functionality.

the procedure is very simple and completely document in Redhat documentation, which is almost similar for all rpm based distros. steps are very simple-

1)open /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-ethX(where X is a unique number corresponding to a specific interface), the file will look similar to
DEVICE=eth0
BOOTPROTO=none
ONBOOT=yes
NETMASK=255.255.255.0
IPADDR=10.1.1.1
USERCTL=no

2)add NM_CONTROLLED=answer

where answer is one of the following:
yes(default) — NetworkManager is permitted to configure this device.
no — NetworkManager is not permitted to configure this device.

3) save the configuration file and restart network services

service network restart

or

/etc/init.d/network restart

That's it, you're ready to get your hands on "Static IP injection" feature provided by Hyper-V.

Few More things to brush up in 2014

One more thing that i forgot to mention in my earlier blog post, and i think this one is the most important one i.e. Updating your CV or Resume.

What! you haven't updated your resume for years, if that's true, then you have to add one more entry into your new year's resolution list- Update my Resume.

I think updating your resume regularly is half the battle won already. In private job's, you never know when you need an updated CV and if you don't keep it updated, you'll loose your precious time in adding, modifying and updating resume. One more added advantage is there, if you, update your CV regularly i.e. you can try/apply for Job interview and brush-up your skills.

For Quick tips-updating your resume follow below URL
http://www.lifehacker.co.in/searchresult.cms?query=career

Second thing which goes hand-in-hand with Updated resume or CV is great cover letter. In all these years the whole job searching paradigm has changed and in this shift 'cover letters' lost their charm, but still some good old employers prefer cover letter's from job applicants (good cover letter will give you grace marks).

So, if you want to make resume updation and cover letter writing a fun way to do, i will suggest you award winning (creator of youtube clip got real Job) youtube clip- this clip will inspire you and give ideas for putting great words into your CV.

I already updated mine during holidays ;-)..see ya

First Post of the Year 2014

I hope everyone enjoyed a lot on New Year's Eve and will be able to keep up with their new year's resolution very well.

I also enjoyed worshiping Goddess Lakshmi @sripuram.org Golden Temple. it was really a good experience visiting Temple for starting my new year 2014.

So during my holiday, i was scourging surfaces of internet and found some fine web links for everyones use.
Links mentioned here:-

1) Detailed Feature wise comparison of Hypervisors- this comparison matrix is very detailed and completely customizable, i really love this and really want to thank Andreas Groth for contributing this beautiful vendor agnostic comparison matrix.
http://www.virtualizationmatrix.com/matrix.php?category_search=all&free_based=1

Credit-virtualizationmatrix.com

2)Virtualization Blog List- Blogosphere is flooded with blogs popping up everyday, so keeping pace with good and worth reading blog posts, this link is the only place to visit and one thing to mention here is, as per my knowledge, vsphere-land.com is one of the oldest virtualization in existence. Kudos to you guys, for keeping up the good work and inspiring others for starting their own blogs.
http://vlp.vsphere-land.com/

Credit-vsphere-land.com
Note-If you haven't created your feedly account yet, please create one and add your favorite blogs from above mentioned URL directly.

3)Linux Freebies- to keep you guys busy- This site is really awesome for Linux Enthusiasts and during all these years, this site keep me astonished with really good posts.
http://www.cyberciti.biz/open-source/30-cool-best-open-source-softwares-of-2013/

Credit-cyberciti.biz

4)Logs, Logs, and Lots of Logs- here is the list of Log files and their respective location with short summary of them.
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2032076

Credit-kb.vmware.com

That's all for today, see you tomorrow with some good virtualization info.

see ya...