I’ve spent this week in San Jose, CA at Tech Field Day 5, and that’s the bulk of my news. We heard from great companies: Symantec, Drobo, Druva, Xangati, NetEx, InfoBlox, and HP. Whew!
VMware VAAI Storage Array Support in Plain English
The most exciting enhancements in VMware vSphere 4.1 is the addition of vStorage API for Array Integration (VAAI). This new API allows VMware ESX to offload storage processing functions to capable storage arrays, reducing the workload on the server hardware in introducing new and exciting possibilities for performance and efficiency. VAAI in ESX 4.1 includes three separate capabilities: block zeroing, full copy, and hardware assisted locking.
Aerobie AeroPress Review: The Hacker Coffee Maker
Computer geeks like me love coffee, the stronger the better. We computer folks are also known for experimentation and a do it yourself ethic. Some of us even love to get outdoors and toss around a flying disc or football. What happens when you mash up all of this? You get the Aerobie AeroPress, the hacker coffeemaker.
Back From the Pile: Interesting Links, February 4, 2011
I spent last week tying up loose ends before Tech Field Day 5 in San Jose. It’s going to be a great event, with presentations by Symantec, Drobo, Xangati, NetEx, InfoBlox, HP, and a new company making their US launch! In the mean time, I am working hard to wrap up the Small Enterprise Storage Array Buyers’ Guide for DCIG and continuing my regular work – spreading the word about state of the art IT! I’ve been researching VMware extensively, and building a home lab server, in preparation for my Storage for Virtual Servers seminar, too.
La Crosse BC-700 Review: A Battery Charger That Does Not Suck
Anyone with a green bone in their body should love rechargeable batteries, but it’s awfully difficult. Alkaline batteries provide always available power, last a long time, and are widely available and inexpensive, while rechargeables are expensive, unpredictable, and usually dead when you need them. As a fan of green technology, I was frustrated at the prospect of buying throwaway alkaline batteries, but could not find a better solution until now. The La Crosse BC-700 battery charger has reversed my impression of rechargeable batteries. It’s that good.
