Community PowerPack
The VMware Community PowerPack is a community driven project which enables us as VMware admins to share our day to day problems and fixes through the format of scripts with a nice GUI front end making it even easier for us all to help each other out as at the end of the day we are all managing the same systems and probably hitting some of the same issues or requests for information.
The PowerPack contains a variety of scripts from Virtu-al.net and now other blogs such as ict-freak.nl, van-lieshout.com and ntpro.nl transformed and enhanced into a useful PowerPack for PowerGUI.
What Do I need ?
In order to use this PowerPack you will need the following:
- PowerShell V2
- PowerCLI 4.0 U1 or later version
- PowerGUI with the VMware PowerPack
- Download the VMware Community PowerPack from below
Download
Download VMware Community PowerPack for PowerGUI
Installing
Here is a short video I shot a while back of me installing the Virtu-Al PowerPack, the process is pretty similar if you use PowerGUI or vEcoShell but you will not need to download the VMware PowerPack if you use vEcoShell as it is built in….
Automatically update
To see how to import a PowerPack and how to make sure you always have the latest version check this post here: http://www.virtu-al.net/2009/10/29/vesi-powergui-powerpack-management/
How can I contribute ?
At the moment I am trying to come up with a better method but please do send any updates or additions you make over to me in an email, I will make sure these are added to the PowerPack.
If you have a good idea but do not know anything about PowerCLI then please add your idea as a comment to the bottom of this page where one of the frequent updaters will no doubt run with it !
Can I be notified of PowerPack updates ?
If you are a twitter user then follow VMWCPP here: http://twitter.com/VMWCPP
FAQ
Why does the community PowerPack not have a connection method ?
You will need to connect using the connection through the original VMware PowerPack, this is a conscious decision as the intent is not to replicate the great work done as part of that PowerPack but purely to add functionality for every day VMware Information needed by consultants and VMware Admins.
When I click a node it says I am unconnected even though I made a connection ?
Please make sure you are using the latest version of PowerCLI, this is a known issue with pervious version of PowerCLI.
Screenshots
Want to know about VMware PowerPack
hi,
can you send me the powerpack please.
what is ?
[...] Also, the well-known Alan Renouf (www.virtu-al.net) made a Powerpack with great scripts which you can run out of the box!! Download the Vmware community pack here [...]
Could you send the vm powerpack please or more info?
Mate as mentioned at the VUM this is just the ticket. Did you mention to Al about the possible session before the next VUM. Looking forward to the book.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Alan Renouf and Joseph Kordish, Community PowerPack. Community PowerPack said: RT @jkordish: VMware Community PowerPack – extensive and awesome #vmware #powercli http://icio.us/lwxiax -> Thanks ! [...]
[...] With the community being heavily involved in the product some of the best powershell experts in the VMware community have teamed up together to make their own powerpack to help you even further. For more information on the powerpack check out the landing page on Alan Renouf’s blog http://www.virtu-al.net/featured-scripts/vmware-powerpack/ [...]
[...] completely open-sourced one of the most popular virtualization management tools out there – VMware Community PowerPack. This is a free custom add-on (also known as Virtu-Al PowerPack ) for PowerGUI/VESI and it has [...]
Is there a way of pulling the performance data with the powerpack. there seems to be some but something that you could give to your CIO/director/manager would be great. html with graphs. cio love graphs!
Guys,
You are amazing. I am loving the powerpack. Thank you very much for your contributions. I was working on creating a series of scripts to manage my infrastructure. PowerGUI and PowerPack is the answer. Saved me a lot of time and effort.
Thanks again
Burak
how about a reset vmhostuser password??? that would be nice
How do I add my vCenter to manage my hosts from eCoShell and VMware Community PowerPack?
[...] You will hate yourself if you do it this manual way. Just request it be created by vmware, or help create the scripts for the Community Power Pack of the ESX Powershell Script group at http://www.virtu-al.net/featured-scripts/vmware-powerpack/ [...]
Al, has the Powerpack been abandoned? Download links are no longer working, love this powerpack.
I have just had an email back from Quest, they say:
“We’re having technical difficulties with some of the items in the PowerGUI.org library, where they can be downloaded after we reboot the server but then at some point they cannot be downloaded anymore and we haven’t found the root cause yet. Your PowerPack happens to be one that seems to be part of those that cannot be accessed from time to time. We’re still looking at this, but at the moment I don’t have an ETA for a fix. Sorry for the trouble.”
In the meantime please download the powerpack from this location:
http://virtu-al.net/Downloads/Virtu-Al.net Scripts.powerpack
(copy and paste the entire link as there is a space in the name)
Alan
[...] PowerCLI–The recommended way to run scripts across your virtual infrastructure, PowerCLI uses Windows PowerShell to automate, report and troubleshoot both ESX and ESXi servers in ways you can’t otherwise. The more servers you have, the more you need to learn PowerCLI to perform mass administration and automation. Most admins use PowerCLI along with the free third-party tools: PowerGUI and PowerCLI Community PowerPack. [...]
Would love to try the powerpack but I can’t seem to download it. I just get an .xml script when I copy/past with quotes. If I go to Downloads I can see the folder, but when I click it it takes me to the same script. Please help!
The PowerPack is eessentially an XML document, just save it as a .powerpack file and import it as shown in the video and you should be ok.
Love the integration of scripts as PowerPack. Have been taking ideas from your scripts and made a lot for our virtual environment
Is there a place where I can post some scripts that can be added to a PowerPack, like I wanted to add a script for unused VMs, we require this infor on a very regular bases. Also VMDk alignment can be added, it helps for the users with NetAPP storage.
Is this going to get any VMware Update Manager Scripts added to it? I think that would be nice as some need to pull patch compliant reports for Hosts and VMs.
@chhavi you can send the scripts in email to virtu-al from the “How can I contribute ?” section of this article
Hello Virtu-Al,
nice PowerPack, but there is a part i really miss.
Is it possible that you expand this pack that is also could show me the Availability of the ESX-Host. Great will be if i could see Uptime/Planed Downtime(Maintenance)/Downtime
Im searching for weeks for something like that but i could not find anything about.
And the /var/log/vmksummary.html in my Host is broken (VMWare going to Fix it, but they think it will need Months before it is repaired IF the repair it in my Version of ESX)
greetz
chris
[...] PowerCLI and the PowerPacks for VMware. These have been a lifesaver. You can get them Here and Here. Cloud, Training, vSphere vSphere consolidation migration CISCOUCS CISCO vCenter Disaster [...]
Great Utility !
Can I suggest adding column for who created snapshots and VMs please.
Thanks.