VMware VI3 Implementation and Administration

“With this book, Eric has created a roadmap through the intricacies of VMware Infrastructure 3. From initial requirements gathering to advanced configuration topics, the logical progression of the chapters allows readers to jump in at whatever point makes the most sense in their own environment. Beginners and veterans alike will find themselves using it as both a guide and a reference.”

--Mark Chandler, Infrastructure Engineer Principal, VMware Certified Professional and vExpert 2009

“Through his work at Boston Market, his involvement as a community moderator on the VMTN forums, his management of his own vmware-land.com website, and his active blogging, Eric Siebert has established himself as an expert in the field of virtualization. In this book, he shares his knowledge of VMware virtualization in a manner that will benefit the novice and the expert alike.”

--Ken Cline, Technical Director, Virtualization, Wells Landers

The Definitive Guide to Planning, Implementing, Securing, Maintaining, and Troubleshooting VMware Virtual Infrastructure 3

This is the most comprehensive guide to planning for, implementing, securing, maintaining, monitoring, and troubleshooting VMware VI3 in any IT environment. Written by Eric Siebert, a veteran VMware system administrator and one of only 300 vExperts named by VMware in 2009, this book will help IT professionals make the best possible decisions about VMware every step of the way.

Siebert presents extensive coverage of the upfront planning and architectural tasks that can make or break VMware deployments, sharing practical insights you’ll never find in the official documentation. Next, he presents dozens of tips, tricks, and best practices for everything from migration and configuration to backup. Along the way, Siebert introduces advanced techniques for optimizing both the efficiency of VMware system administration and the effectiveness of VMware virtual environments. Coverage includes

• Understanding your current infrastructure--and all the ways virtualization will change it
• Building VI3 environments for maximum reliability and performance
• Choosing the right software, servers, storage, and network infrastructure
• Constructing your virtualized environment
• Configuring virtual networking, storage, and resources to maximize host and guest performance
• Systematically securing hosts, VMs, networks, and vCenter Servers
• Mastering best practices for populating virtual environments, including P2V migration, templating, and the use of ISO files
• Monitoring your virtual environment, analyzing metrics, and proactively eliminating bottlenecks
• Applying patches to fix bugs and security vulnerabilities without introducing problems caused by unexpected dependencies
• Troubleshooting virtual environments: identifying and resolving specific problems, one step at a time
• Improving administration with snapshots, scripting, and other advanced techniques

VMware VI3 Implementation and Administration is an invaluable guide for every professional working with VMware, including architects designing virtual infrastructures, as well as managers and administrators who must implement and support them.

Foreword    ix

Introduction    1

Chapter 1   Assessing Your Current Environment    3

Chapter 2   Planning Your Virtual Environment     25

Chapter 3    Building Your Virtual Environment     75

Chapter 4   Configuring Your Virtual Environment     119

Chapter 5   Securing Your Virtual Environment     219

Chapter 6   Populating Your Virtual Environment    263

Chapter 7   Monitoring Your Virtual Environment    335

Chapter 8   Maintaining Your Virtual Environment    365

Chapter 9   Backing Up Your Virtual Environment    399

Chapter 10  Troubleshooting Your Virtual Environment    409

Chapter 11  Advanced Topics    435

Index    467