VMware - Issues and Solutions

Avoid "VMware Nightmares" by Knowing Common Issues and Solutions

Troubleshooting VMware issues is all about headache prevention. Many of the most common VMware issues and error messages are preventable if you have a good protocol for monitoring updates. Good VMware troubleshooting is actually proactive troubleshooting. Let's go line by line to reveal the VMware issues that are most likely to rear their heads.

Problem: You Have Outdated VMware Tools

While it's common to discover that tools are outdated, you may also find that you're bumping into errors because some tools were never installed. The second cause is common because some of the updates sent with VMware Tools require manual updates from administrators. You'll see error messages pop up when updates are missed. If you have outdated or missing tools, you'll need to either update or install the VMware Tools from the vSphere client. Your summary will direct you to any VMware Tools updates needed. Some updates can be performed without reboots.

The Problem: You Have Outdated VM Network Devices

Performance lags are common if you haven't updated VM network devices. Performance lags also happen when incompatible updates cause you to operate at throttled performance levels that are primarily caused by surplus IRQ requests. The fix is to update your VM hardware by going through the "Upgrade VM Compatibility" process under "All vCenter Actions." You'll also have to add the appropriate virtual network adapter.

The Problem: Memory Limitations

VMs that are moved from pools with limitations may keep the limitations after the move without admin awareness. As a result, applications may degrade or fail due to lack of memory access. To solve this issue, it's necessary to find memory limits. The next step is to scan machine inventory and browse individual configurations for memory limits.

The Problem: VM Snapshot Size and Age

While snapshots preserve virtual memory and disk data, they can create performance issues if they aren't maintained properly. Snapshots become problematic when they become a week old. Snapshots over 5GB can also cause problems. The most common issue surrounding VM snapshots is improper snapshot storage caused by vCenter's inability to recognize snapshots that are out of sync. The solution is to remove snapshots after backups are completed. The difficult part of removal is locating snapshots. Generally, implementing an automated system for snapshot management that identifies snapshots is recommended.

Make a Plan for Managing VMware Issues

A management protocol is essential for handling common VMware issues that lead to performance issues before they impact performance. Proactive monitoring of the performance of virtual machines is recommended for staying ahead with quick, efficient solutions. At DynaSis, we help enterprises stay one step ahead of VMware issues by making it easier to detect, diagnose and solve problems. Reach out today for your demo.