virtuEs.IT

… sharing my IT Quests

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Citrix Certified Administrator for NetScaler

Feb 8

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YES! Results are in for the A28 beta NetScaler 10 exam:

 

I passed!

 

The NetScaler certification was the only product certification that I did not have, so when I discovered the beta was available in December 2012 I could not resist and took on the challenge, knowing it would require a very different skillset than the VDI product range covers.

With a strong background in VDI solutions, covering OSI layer 7 mostly, it does not only take a different skillset but a different mindset as well to uncover the wonders and features of the NetScaler.

Fortunately, I still remembered network basics from my CCNA exam period over 10 years ago (that OSI model sticks with ya) and was able to map those basics to the many features this great appliance has to offer. So yeah, I’m very happy to be fully certified and ready to design and implement a lot more NetScaler infrastructures :-)

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Looking back at a great year

Dec 31

Posted by virtuEs in * News * | 5 Comments


These last few days of the year are one where alot of reflection takes place on set goals and how good we’ve managed to accomplish them, on great events that took place and how they effected us and on the lessons we have learned and will take with us.

 

New professional roles and challenges

A few years ago I already started to promote my new goals for becoming a good Infrastructure Architect with my manager, which resulted in a shift in client assignments for the usual administrative assignments to more Citrix Engineer and design suited projects. And even though I worked as a Citrix Architect on a great Technology refresh in 2010, I managed to write my first solo design for a Citrix XenApp infrastructure at the start of 2011. Getting complemented for the documentation of that design and the impact of it on the environment and related systems was a great boost of confidence. I finally saw myself as a Citrix Architect as well and had fun in this new role.

I was even more lucky and was asked to not only design a Citrix XenServer/XenApp/RES Workspace Manager infrastructure for the next assignment, but also implement my design and ensure the administrators would know which skills were needed to support this new environment. Having some info sessions with them and sharing my knowledge on the products was great fun as well.

 
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A Logica Gold Award

Feb 6

Posted by admin in * News *, Favorites | 1 Comment


This year has started out great.

All the hard work, extra hours and perfectionism to extend my Virtualization knowledge, adapt a Citrix Architect role and share my knowledge internally through numerous presentations and meetings has been noticed for sure by my Logica manager. I already received a big compliment on the quality of my Citrix XenApp design document by one of our clients, so knew I adapted to the Architect role. To top that off I have been rewarded with a Logica Gold Award (Employee Value Proposition “Committed”) for my work ethics, motivation and commitment.

I’m very proud to have received this award and will continu to have fun in my architect role, share my knowledge and keep my designs at the high quality level our clients deserve.I’m looking forward to the journey I’ll take in my personal growth this year and the new challenge I took on to share my knowledge even further by creating an internal workshop for Citrix XenServer.

Logica Gold Award - Committed The Logica Diamond Award program acknowledges team and individual actions that not only have a positive influence on the company, but who’s behavior reflects the Employee Value Proposition and are in line with “be brilliant together”. A Gold award is granted to an individual or team that has accomplished exceptional and/or innovative work and that shows behavior as elucidated in the Employee Value Proposition.

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My First Homelab

Feb 28

Posted by virtuEs in * News *, Hardware, HomeLab, Hypervisors, Quests, Storage | 2 Comments


A couple of weeks ago I started my first IT Quest. Reading on numerous blogs about the homelabs most of the Virtualization Experts have installed I figured it was the first big step for me to take as well. After all a XenServer certification isn’t worth much in my opinion if you don’t get the hands on experience to really know what you are consulting about. And I’d rather not be depended on the test facilities at the clients I’m consulting.

So to keep my knowledge up-to-date and learn even more new tips and tricks, I’ve bought two whiteboxes, a NAS and a 8-port Managed Switch. All the ingredients for my First Homelab experience. (Thankfully collected from the Expert blogs I’ve read.

 

The hardware specs

I decided to use my savings for the new motorcycle (didn’t hear a complaint from my partner on that one) to buy the good stuff right away. So here’s the specs for the hardware that from now on will be known as my first Homelab.

 

The configuration of each whitebox is:

  • ASUS V Series V7-P5G43M (Towermodel)
  • 1 x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 / 2.66 GHz ( 1333 MHz ) – LGA775 Socket
  • 2 x OCZ Platinum Dual Channel – SDRAM – 4 GB ( 2 x 2 GB ) – 8 GB total
  • 1 x Intel PRO/1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter
  • 1 x ASUS DVD E818A6T – DVD-ROM – 18x – Serial ATA
  • 1 x WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS – 640 GB – SATA-300 – 7200 tpm -buffer: 32 MB

 

Additional Hardware:

  • 1 x Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 Network Storage – NAS – 2 TB
  • 1 x Cisco Small Business Smart Switch SLM2008 – Switch – 8 ports
  • 1 x Laptop, provided by my employer, to be used as the management console.

So I’m all good to go for the next IT Quests to come …

The following sources have be read prior to ordering my own homelab configuration:
Gabes Virtual World » My new whitebox ESX home lab
NTPRO » A VMware High-Availability Cluster at Home
Yellow Bricks » My homelab

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Let’s get started!

Jan 13

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At the end of 2009, during my annual moment of reflection, I’ve decided to register a domain name and start a blog.  For me 2009 was a year of professional growth and new IT challenges and this blog is a great way to acknowledge the goals I’ve reached and start new adventures.

So with this first post I hereby  ‘open’  this new site ….. hoping it’ll reflect me and my personality ….. and offer you handy tips, tricks, insights and a laugh or two!

Have fun ….. cause I sure will ;-)

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