(5) Free VMware Flings for your Virtualization Toolbox!

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For the last few years, VMware engineers have been turning out a number of free experimental tools that operate within the company’s server virtualization platform. Dubbed Flings, these VMware Lab creations are intended to be a “short-term thing.” While these interesting freebie tools are not part of any official product offering, they have been well received over the years within VMware’s community of virtualization users.

1. VMware vSphere HTML5 Client – The old vSphere Web Client is based on Flash, which as you know, is no longer the technology of choice. The new Web client is written using HTML5 and Javascript and is designed to work with your existing vSphere 6.0 environments (sorry to those still running 5.x, but it isn’t “supported”). By removing the dependency on Flash, VMware hopes to improve performance, stability, and security. The Fling isn’t feature complete yet, but it does have what VMware believes to be the most commonly used actions/views ready to go.
2. VMware OS Optimization Tool – If you are running VMware Horizon View, this will be a very popular addition to your toolbox. The VMware OS Optimization Tool helps optimize Windows 7/8/2008/2012/10 systems for use with VMware Horizon View. The optimization tool includes customizable templates to enable or disable Windows system services and features, per VMware recommendations and best practices, across multiple systems. Since most Windows system services are enabled by default, the optimization tool can be used to easily disable unnecessary services and features to improve performance.
3. Horizon View Configuration Tool – Here’s another handy addition to VMware Horizon View.  The Horizon View Configuration Tool automates Horizon View 6.2 installations and deployments. It removes the complexities and manual steps required for setting up a basic Horizon View deployment. So if you need little assistance with the setup, grab this Fling.
4. Horizon Toolbox 2 – Once more, let’s circle back and add some assistance to your Horizon View environment. This time, the Toolbox 2 Fling adds a Web portal that acts as an extension to View Administrator in VMware Horizon 6 or above. The tool assists with monitoring, managing and administration of Horizon and is a must add to fully engage with a Horizon environment.
5. VSAN Hardware Compatibility List Checker – In an effort to make life easier, this VSAN Hardware Compatibility List Checker Fling helps verify the installed storage adapters against the VSAN supported storage controller list. The tool will verify if the model and firmware version of the storage adapter are supported. For firmware version validation, the VSAN Hardware Compatibility List Checker supports LSI and HP, and their OEM variants storage adapters.