TinkerTravels 2016 - More than a dozen technical demonstrations at a variety of user groups and conferences

Posted by Paul Braren on Feb 3 2016 (updated on Dec 8 2016) in
  • Storage
  • Virtualization
  • ESXi
  • HomeServer
  • HomeLab
  • HowTo
  • Presentations
  • Speaking
  • tinkertry-superserver-posterboard-may-25-2016-0228pm

    I like to be sure I have something to say, before I accept an offer to speak at a user group or conference. Just so happens that with all the innovation in CPUs and SSDs over the past year, I sure do! I love tinkering with hardware, and will of course be mixing it up with virtualization software tips and home lab ideas. For the first event coming up on February 17th event, I even plan to bring the first-in-world Xeon D-1541 system, weeks ahead of general availability.

    What I enjoy the most about speaking is the audience interaction during Q&A. There's nothing like discussing ideas with fellow IT Pros, PC/Server enthusiasts, and developers. That back-and-forth dialogue is always a joy. Any speaking opportunity is quite the honor, and a nice chance to give back to the community.

    Suddenly, in the last few weeks, all these opportunies were offered. Some are in New England, some are global/online and free. Why not join me? Registration links below.


    1H2016 Speaking Schedule


    1) "My 5 Year Ultimate Home Server quest, featuring Core i7 vZilla and those mini-tower Xeon D-1540 SuperServers"

    IT Pro User Group

    IT-Pro-User-Group-edited

    Date: February 17, 2016
    Duration: 1 hour
    Audience: IT Pro User Group members
    Location: MTTI – Seekonk
    1241 Fall River Avenue (Rt. 6)
    Seekonk, MA 02771

    Event completed, with one guy driving over an hour just so see the new Intel Xeon D. A lot of great questions. Copy of the presentation here.


    2) "Windows and NVMe" – on air discussion with Dan Stolts of Microsoft/ITProGuru.com

    Microsoft Channel 9

    2016-02-03_22-21-39

    Date: February 18, 2016
    Duration: 30 minutes
    Audience: Global - free, on Channel 9
    Location: recorded privately via Skype

    Event completed, watch the video at:


    3) "Intel Xeon D-1541 Supermicro SuperServer demo/presentation" - Exhibit Hall

    VMUG Hartford Connecticut UserCon

    VMUGUserGroupConnecticut

    Date: March 1, 2016
    Duration: 15 minutes
    Audience: VMUG Hartford Connecticut UserCon members (free)
    Location: Connecticut Convention Center
    100 Columbus Boulevard
    Hartford, CT 06103

    Event completed! The was no slide-deck, just a brief talk with some live demo and Q&A, with followed-up provided in this article:


    4) "Building The “World’s Fastest” Kick Ass Home Lab"

    xepappblog.com virtual expo

    virtual_expo_cropped

    Date: March 31, 2016
    Duration: 45 minutes
    Audience: Global - free registration
    Location: Home Studio - Webcam Conference

    Trond Haavarstein's signature xenappblog.com virtual expo events are well attended, with hundreds last year I hear. This should be quite fun for all of us, geeking out together the entire day!

    Event completed, copy of the presentation here.


    5) "Creating the Ultimate Home Lab Server"

    Experts 2 Experts Virtualization Conference

    e2e_virtualization_conference

    Date: May 28, 2016
    Duration: 40 minutes
    Audience: Members in attendance
    Location: The Mirage
    3400 S Las Vegas Blvd
    Las Vegas, NV 89109


    6) "Home lab demonstration of the Xeon D System on a Chip, great for pen testing, and for leaving VMs up 24x7"

    Amherst Security Group

    AmherstSec

    Date: June 08, 2016 6:30pm
    Duration: 60 minutes
    Audience: Amherst Security Group (AmherstSec) members - free
    Location: Paragus Strategic IT
    112 Russell St
    Hadley, MA 01035

    Event completed, copy of the presentation here.

    Abstract:

    Paul Braren will demonstrate just how capable the new Intel Xeon D-1500 SoC (System on a Chip) really is, powering the first mini-tower on the VMware Hardware Compatibility Guide, and he’ll have one with him! A commitment to power, efficiency, and capability is evident in this design that features up to 128GB of RAM, 2x1GbE and 2x10GbE networking, 6 SATA3 drive bays, and 2 of the world’s fastest consumer M.2/PCIe NVMe SSD drives. Use cases roll-your-own OpenVPN, Linux (RHEL, SuSE, etc.), Hyper-converged Nutanix CE (Acropolis), FreeNAS, Citrix XenServer, Windows Server 2012 R2/2016/Hyper-V, VMware ESXi 6.0, and a novel, TinkerTry-exclusive vSphere 6 SuperServer Workstation all-in-one featuring a vSphere 6 datacenter and a Windows 10 VM with 3 4K outputs.

    Paul is an IT Professional with a background in x86 servers, currently working at IBM as a Storage Technical Advisor. He’s also a VMware VCP and vExpert, Veeam Vanguard, and Founder of TinkerTry.com, “Efficient virtualization, storage, backup, and more.”


    7) Intel Xeon D-1541 Supermicro SuperServer demonstration/presentation

    VirtG-Boston

    Date: June 9, 2016 7:00pm - 7:45pm
    Duration: 45 minutes
    Audience: Virtualization Group Boston members - free
    Location: Microsoft NERD, Cambridge, MA

    Event completed, copy of the presentation here.

    Abstract:

    For this technical presentation and live demonstration, Paul will bringing his compact SuperServer with him! You’ll see just how capable the new Intel Xeon D-1500 really is, powering this highly compatible mini-tower with a high “family acceptance factor.” A commitment to power, efficiency, and capability is evident in this latest SoC design that features up to 128GB of RAM, 2x1GbE and 2x10GbE networking, IMPI/iKVM remote console, 6 SATA3 drive bays, and 2 of the world’s fastest consumer M.2/PCIe NVMe SSD drives.

    These are big step up from the popular Intel NUC: similar efficiency, with way more capability. Actual use-cases include Windows Server 2012 R2/2016/Hyper-V, Windows 10, VMware ESXi 6.0, Linux, Citrix XenServer, Nutanix CE, FreeNAS, and even a datacenter/workstation all-in-one.

    Paul’s efforts to get fast, stable, and simple solutions readily available and fully documented and tested will be evident, featuring Amazing (8 core), Insane (12 core), and Ludicrous (16 core) variants that folks can buy from an authorized reseller, or create for themselves.


    8) The STH Inaugural Meetup

    I have another event that I just confirmed I'll be able to enjoy. Figured I'd share the details, just in case you're in the area and can join us. The more attendees the merrier!

    The STH Inaugural Meetup

    sth-meetup-apr-02-2016

    Date: April 2, 2016
    Duration: 3 hours
    Audience: Local - join us, with free registration!
    Location: Hacker Dojo
    599 Fairchild Dr
    Mountain View, CA 95054

    I'll be attending this casual first-ever ServeTheHome event as a PC enthusiast with an interest in hardware, and to meet new people. A great chance to finally meet the amazing Patrick Kennedy, who I've referenced in many of my posts.

    Mar 31 2016 Update - Turns out I got diagnosed with a definitive case of the flu, so no airplane travel for me. Had no choice but to cancel the trip. Looking forward to another chance someday though!

    Read Patrick's latest update:


    8) IT Career Discussion at "Mobile Apps for Hartford" at Trinity College

    Mobile Apps for Hartford

    TrinityCollege

    Date: Aug 11, 2016
    Duration: 60 minutes
    Audience: High School Students participating in a summer class
    Location: Trinity College
    300 Summit St.
    Hartford, CT 06106


    9) VMworld 2016 - VMvillage Social and Community - Demonstration

    VMworld 2016

    VMworld2016USDetailed

    Date: Aug 31, 2016
    Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
    Audience: Hundreds of people who came by to see this cluster
    Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center
    3950 S Las Vegas Blvd
    Las Vegas, NV 89119


    10) "Intel Xeon D-1541 presentation with live demonstration"

    Hartford CUGC Meeting

    CUGC

    Date: Sep 15, 2016
    Duration: 45 minutes
    Audience: Members
    Location: Wood n Tap
    99 Sisson Avenue
    Hartford, CT 06109


    11) "Intel Xeon SuperServer cluster live demonstration"

    Home Server Show Meetup 2016 (6th Annual)

    So sorry I had to cancel, airline had a maintenance issue.

    HSS

    Nevermind, I made it after all!
    Date: Sep 17, 2016 08:00am - 5:00pm
    Duration: NA (informal display throughout the day)
    Audience: Attendees who pre-registered and HSS Patreons
    Location: Microsoft Corporation
    8900 Keystone Crossing
    Indianpolis, IN 46240


    12) "Intel Xeon SuperServer cluster presentation, with live demonstration"

    Champlain Valley VMUG - Vermont

    VMUGChamplain

    Date: Oct 11, 2016 3:00pm - 4:00pm
    Duration: 60 minutes
    Audience: VMUG Members/Attendees
    Location: The Essex Resort & Spa
    70 Essex Way
    Essex (Burlington), VT 05452


    13) "Intel Xeon D-1541 presentation with live demonstration"

    Orlando VMUG UserCon - Florida

    VMUGOrlandoUserCon

    Date: Nov 02, 2016 09:45am - 10:15pm
    Duration: 30 minutes
    Audience: VMUG Members/Attendees
    Location: Hyatt Regency Orlando
    9801 International Drive
    Orlando, FL 32819

    793795124467789824

    14) "Intel Xeon D-1541 presentation with live demonstration"

    Minneapolis VMUG - Minnesota

    VMUGMinneapolis

    Date: Dec 09, 2016
    Duration: 60 minutes
    Audience: VMUG Members/Attendees
    Location: Normandale Community College
    P0808 - Partnership Center
    9700 France Avenue South
    Bloomington, MN 55431


    15) Many benefits of going public, & tools used for content creation

    AmherstSec

    Date: Dec 14, 2016 6:30pm to 8:30pm
    Duration: 60 minutes
    Audience: Amherst Security Group (AmherstSec) members - free
    Location: Paragus Strategic IT
    112 Russell St
    Hadley, MA 01035

    Abstract:

    Paul will discuss how he pivoted his career and began building his personal brand, going from secret clearance work with no public persona, to a web content creator. He soon figured out that what he enjoyed writing was what people enjoyed reading, with over 150,000 visitors per month now, and growing. There were many infrastructure changes behind the scenes over the years as his hobby began to scale. TinkerTry.com, LLC was created to help manage diverse sources of revenue, to sustain the growth. This evening and weekend hobby actually led to a dream assignment at his day job, stationed in Europe for five weeks to work on an IBM Redbook team, creating technical documentation on bleeding edge technologies.

    Paul will also cover his process, tips and tricks for being prepared for everything, including podcast guest spots and keynote appearances. Tools to be discussed include mics, cameras, travel routers/WiFi/LTE-over-USB, and Skype/Google Hangouts/Live YouTube Events. Plenty of time will be left for Q&A!

    Paul is an IT Professional with a background in x86 servers, currently working at IBM as a Storage Technical Advisor. He’s also a VMware VCP and vExpert, Veeam Vanguard, and Founder of TinkerTry.com, “Efficient virtualization, storage, backup, and more.”


    See also at TinkerTry

    All my other presentations and podcasts.

    tinkertry-superserver-posterboard-may-25-2016-0228pm