Learning VMware vSphere

Lay the foundation for data center virtualization using VMware vSphere 6 and understand its power

Key Features

• Learn how server virtualization is achieved and virtual infrastructure is built using VMware's products and solutions
• Create a scalable and responsive virtualization platform for hosting virtual machine workloads of a business
• Study server virtualization concepts with conceptual diagrams, flowcharts, and screen-captures

Book Description

Computer virtualization, the foundation of modern day data centers, entails running multiple application workloads on a single machine to reduce the number of physical machines in a data center and achieve scalability. What began as a technology to virtualize x86 architecture has now grown beyond the limits of a server's hardware and into the realm of storage and network virtualization. VMware is currently the market leader in developing data center virtualization solutions.

This book goes into the details of designing and implementing VMware solutions that form the foundation of a VMware infrastructure. The book begins by introducing you to server virtualization concepts followed by the installation and configuration of ESXi – Vmware's hypervisor. You'll learn how to manage a vSphere environment and configure vCenter's advanced management capabilities. As you advance, you'll cover vSphere networking, storage, ESXi clustering, resource management, and virtual machine management. You'll then be introduced to SSL certificate management and its use in a vSphere environment. Finally, you'll get to grips with lifecycle management of a vSphere environment by effectively monitoring, patching, and upgrading vSphere components using Update Manager.

By the end of the book, you'll have learned how to use VMware's vSphere suite of components to lay the foundation for a modern virtual infrastructure.

What you will learn

• Understand the hypervisor architecture and install, deploy, and configure ESXi hosts
• Find out what forms a VMware Virtual Machine can take and how to create and manage them
• Manage storage in a vSphere environment
• Create and manage software switching constructs such as the vNetwork Standard Switch and vNetwork Distributed Switches
• Monitor the performance of a vSphere environment using tools such as the vCenter performance graphs and ESXTOP
• Manage SSL certificates in a vSphere environment
• Upgrade and patch a vSphere environment using vSphere Update Manager

Who this book is for

If you're an experienced technologist new to the realm of data center virtualization, this book will help you get a head start in learning how to design, implement, and manage a modern day datacenter virtualized using VMware's core infrastructure solutions. It'll also serve as a comprehensive reference guide for infrastructure architects and system administrators.

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Server Virtualization Using VMware
2. The Hypervisor – ESXi
3. The Management Layer – VMware vCenter
4. vSphere Networking Concepts and Management
5. vSphere Storage Concepts and Management
6. Advanced vSphere Infrastructure Management
7. Understanding Host Profiles, Image Profiles, and Auto Deploy
8. Virtual Machines Concepts and Management
9. Monitoring Performance of a vSphere Environment
10. Certificate Management for a vSphere Environment
11. Securing a vSphere Environment
12. Life Cycle Management of a vSphere Environment

Lay the foundations for data center virtualization using VMware vSphere 6 and strengthen your understanding of its power

About This Book

• Learn how server virtualization is achieved and how a virtual infrastructure is built using VMware’s products and solutions.
• Design to create a scalable and responsive virtualization platform for hosting the virtual machine workloads of a business. Manage compute, network and storage resources of a virtual infrastructure.
• Relevant conceptual diagrams, flowcharts and screen-captures enable in-depth comprehension of the concepts. Also, the concise writing style makes this book a very easy read.

Who This Book Is For

This is a book for any experienced technologist who is new to the realm of Data Center virtualization wanting to find a way to get a head start in learning how to design, implement and manage a modern day datacenter virtualized using VMware’s core infrastructure solutions. It could also act a comprehensive reference guide for Infrastructure Architects and System Administrators to aid them in their day to day activities. This book could easily find its place in reference materials used by professionals for VCP and VCAP certification exams. Keep in mind however that the book is not written to follow as a blueprint for either of the exams.

What You Will Learn

• Understand the architecture of the hypervisor and learn how to install deploy and configure ESXi hosts
• Find out what forms a VMware Virtual Machine can take and also learn how to create and manage them
• Familiarize yourself with the concepts of vSphere Storage and learn how to present and manage storage in a vSphere environment
• Create and manage software switching constructs such as the vNetwork Standard Switch and vNetwork Distributed Switches
• Monitor the performance of a vSphere environment using tools such as the vCenter Performance Graphs and ’esxtop’
• Manage SSL certificates in a vSphere environment
• Upgrade and patch a vSphere environment using vSphere Update Manager

In Detail

Computer virtualization is a method to enable the running of multiple application workloads on a machine to achieve efficient utilization and reduce the number of physical machines in a data center. This has now become the foundation of many modern day data centers. What began as a technology to virtualize x86 architecture has now grown beyond the limits of a server’s hardware and into the realm of storage and network virtualization. VMware is currently the market leader in developing data center virtualization solutions.

This book goes into the details of designing and implementing VMware solutions that form the foundation of a VMware infrastructure.

The book begins by introducing you to the concepts of server virtualization followed by the architecture of VMware’s hypervisor – ESXi and then by its installation and configuration. You then learn what is required to manage a vSphere environment and configure advanced management capabilities of vCenter. Next you are taken through topics on vSphere Networking, Storage, ESXi Clustering, Resource Management and Virtual Machine Management. You will then be introduced to SSL Certificate Management and its use in a vSphere environment. Finally, you will learn about the lifecycle management of a vSphere environment by effectively monitoring, patching and upgrading vSphere components using Update Manager.

By the end of the book, you will know how to use VMware’s vSphere suite of components to lay the foundation of a modern day virtual infrastructure.

Style and approach

This is an easy-to-follow guide that will give you everything you need to fully understand the concepts involved in data center virtualization. The screenshots, concept diagrams, and flowcharts included will help you understand the subjects discussed better.