A lot Smoother Installation - VMPlayer Tip

I reinstalled the CUCM Publisher last night and the install went a lot smoother than a few months back when I attempted to install it on ESXi on an old HP server. VMPlayer worked surprisingly well even though it's not as convenient as VM Workstation.

The only issue I ran into was getting connectivity to the network which was a combination of things. It didn't like my trunk port on my switch so I changed it to an access VLAN (VLAN 100) for my server subnet. I also had to play with the VMPlayer network settings, once I changed my VM to following connectivity was established:

Network Adapter Settings:
1. Network Connection set to bridged mode
2. Check mark "Replicate physical network connection state"
3. Select the "Configure Adapters" button
4. Select only the Ethernet port or whatever port you use for connectivity, un-select the others.

Tonight I plan on installing the Subscriber and I have to get my hands on Unity Connection still from some where. I have a CUPS 6.0 DVD so hopefully that works when the time comes. At some point I need to run to Walmart or somewhere to pick up a crossover cable, I don't have good tools to make my own.

Rebuilt my Lab with PICS!

Finally got around to rebuilding and configuring my lab again, it's been a very busy year with a lot of changes. I have the majority of the basic configuration finished, I'm using the same design as my last lab before I had to give all of my equipment up. The only thing that I'm missing is a cross-over cable for my Branch IP Phone since I'm connecting it directly to my branch router. I believe this is the reason why it's showing as not connected, at least I hope. I'm using OSPF for the WAN

Not pictured is my beefy work laptop that's 8 core with 24 gigs of RAM or some thing crazy like that. I'm hoping I can get away with VM Player but I may have to go with some of the higher end VM solutions like Workstation or ESXi with a dedicated server if I run into to many snags.

My job role changed pretty drastically and I may not be touching voice as much as I did in the past, I'm being moved to the design and implementation space for my company. There will for sure be enough phone stuff to keep me occupied but it may only be 25% of my workload instead of 80% like my previous gig.

I'm thinking of finishing the CCNP: Voice track and then start moving sideways to CCNP R&S and then the Design tracks. maybe even Data Center stuff depending on how much deeper we get into it at my company.