VMware Labs' latest fling: VIB Author and how it compares to the ESXi5 Community Packaging Tools

The VMware Labs have published a new tool called VIB Author that "allows ESXi administrator to create custom VIBs at the CommunitySupported level". When I read this news my first thought was: Hey, that's exactly what my ESXi5 Community Packaging Tools (ESXi5-CPT, consisting of tgz2vib and vib2zip) are supposed to do! So, how do these two compare?
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ESXi-Customizer-PS script updated to be compatible with PowerCLI 5.1

I was made aware that my ESXi-Customizer-PS script fails when running with the new PowerCLI version 5.1. With this version VMware made changes to the ImageBuilder object model (dropping the SoftwareChannel object) that broke my script.
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The SBHVL project - Part 3: Management, Remote Access and more Security

This is the third and last part of the SBHVL (Small Budget Hosted Virtual Lab) project post series (I will assume that you have already read at least Part 1, see also Part 2). This time I will explain how to remotely access, use and manage the environment.
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Updated ESXi-Customizer-PS script allows to create ESXi 5.1 Offline bundle

Following the availability of the ESXi 5.1 packages in the VMware Online depot I have updated my ESXi-Customizer-PS script and made two minor, but important changes:
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ESXi 5.1 GA is now available in the VMware Online Depot

The brand new ESXi 5.1 GA packages have finally been uploaded to the VMware Online Depot. That means you can use them with the PowerCLI ImageBuilder snapin and my ESXi-Customizer-PS script to build your own customized installation ISOs or Offline bundles.

To improve the usage of the new ESXi 5.1 ImageProfiles I have updated my ESXi-Customizer-PS script (see my next post).

The ESXi 5.1 GA ImageProfiles

[Updated] How to update your (free / whitebox) ESXi server to ESXi 5.1

Now that vSphere 5.1 (incl. ESXi 5.1) has been released one of the most frequently asked questions of home users is: How can I update my existing ESXi 5.0 installation without too much effort and without taking any risk? Here is a step-by-step procedure:
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vSphere 5.1 is generally available (incl. the free and the HP customized version of ESXi)

Late yesterday VMware made vSphere 5.1 generally available. Go to
   http://www.vmware.com/go/download-vsphere
to download. The free version of ESXi 5.1 is also already available:
   http://www.vmware.com/go/get-free-esxi

And HP hardware owners will be happy to find that there is also an HP customized version of the ESXi 5.1 ISO available for download. The shortcut http://www.vmware.com/go/downloads-image-hp-esxi still points to the 5.0 version, but HP's ESXi 5.1 GA is available here:
   https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=HP-ESXI-5.1.0-GA-10SEP2012&productId=285

Right now it is not yet possible to update an existing ESXi 5.0 installation to 5.1 using the well known methods (via Update Manager and the VMware Online Depot). You will probably be able to update by booting the host with the ESXi 5.1 ISO, but the other methods should also be available shortly.