Vmware Esx Server

Flexible and efficient, VMware ESX is the tool of choice for enterprise data centers looking to make the most of the latest virtualization methods. However, to date, no single manual provides users with a systematic way to understand and take full advantage of all its features and options.Novel Solutions for Every Level of the IT ChainVMware ESX Es

Detailing the design and deployment of a VMware ESX Server environment, and written from the practical experience of proven VMware engineers, this book provides IT architects with the insight needed to tackle tough design issues such as ESX Server security, network and SAN design, host hardware selection, guest selection and configuration, management tool selection, ESX performance optimizations, and automated installs and provisioning. A linear progression is provided, starting at the basic architecture of ESX server and then moving on to server configurations, design alternatives for hardware, SAN configuration and management tools, the creation of guest operating systems, and strategy development for implementing this technology into a specific environment. Advanced topics such as unattended installs, integration with network management software, configuration options for high availability, and disaster recovery scenarios are also addressed.

VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers The Most Complete, Practical, Solutions-Focused Guide to Running ESX Server 3 VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise is the definitive, real-world guide to planning, deploying, and managing today’s leading virtual infrastructure platform in mission-critical environments. Drawing on his extensive experience consulting on large-scale ESX Server implementations, Edward L. Haletky brings together an unprecedented collection of tips, best practices, and field-tested solutions. More than any other author, he illuminates the real issues, tradeoffs, and pitfalls associated with ESX Server–and shows how to make the most of it in your unique environment. Haletky covers the entire lifecycle: planning, installation, system monitoring, tuning, clustering, security, disaster recovery, and much more. Throughout, he supports his recommendations with examples from real-world deployments. He also provides detailed checklists for handling crucial issues such as caching, networking, storage, and hardware selection. Many of his techniques and practices apply to all current virtualization platforms, not just ESX Server. This book will be an indispensable resource for every network architect, administrator, and IT professional who works with virtual servers. ESX Server newcomers will find the soup-to-nuts introduction they desperately need; experienced users will find an unparalleled source of field-tested answers and solutions. In this book, you’ll learn how to: • Identify key differences between ESX v3.x.y and ESX v2.5.x and their implications • Perform a complete installation–with automated scripting techniques and samples • Efficiently audit, monitor, and secure ESX Server • Discover SAN storage pitfalls and solutions–with detailed guidance for specific SANs, switches, and fibre-channel adapters • Understand ESX Server networking: NIC teaming, vSwitches, network lag, and troubleshooting • Configure ESX Server via the Management User Interface, Virtual Center client, and command line interface • Install Windows, Linux, and NetWare VMs: prepare media images, place configuration files, handle sizing and swap files, and more • Use Dynamic Resource Load Balancing to consistently achieve utilization goals • Implement effective backup and disaster recovery procedures Edward L. Haletky owns AstroArch Consulting, Inc., a consultancy specializing in virtualization, security, and networking. He has been rated by his peers on the VMware Discussion Forums as a “virtuoso” for his work in answering VMware security and configuration questions. Prior to establishing AstroArch, Haletky was a member of Hewlett-Packard’s Virtualization, Linux, and High-Performance Technical Computing teams. He holds a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University.

Edward L. Haletky’s Complete, Solutions-Focused Guide to Running ESX Server 3.5, vSphere, and VMware 4.x Extensively updated and revised, this is the definitive real-world guide to planning, deploying, and managing VMware ESX Server 3.5, VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi), or VMware vSphere 4.x cloud computing in mission-critical environments. Drawing on his extensive experience consulting on enterprise VMware implementations, renowned expert Edward L. Haletky offers a “soup-to-nuts” collection of field-tested best practices and solutions. He illuminates the real benefits, issues, tradeoffs, and pitfalls associated with VMware’s newest platforms, using real-world examples that draw upon both VMware and third-party products. This edition features detailed coverage of new vSphere features such as Storage IO Control, Network IO Control, Load-Based Teaming, Distributed Virtual Switches, ESXi, hardware and processors, and a significantly expanded discussion of auditing and monitoring. Haletky offers new or enhanced coverage of VM Hardware, virtual networking, VMsafe, and more. All new coverage is thoroughly integrated into Haletky’s insightful discussion of the entire lifecycle: planning, installation, templates, monitoring, tuning, clustering, security, disaster recovery, and more. Haletky consistently presents the most efficient procedures, whether they use graphical tools or the command line. You’ll learn how to: • Assess VMware datacenter and infrastructure hardware requirements • Understand technical, licensing, and management differences between ESX/ESXi 3.5 and 4.x • Plan installation for your environment and identify potential “gotchas” • Select, configure, utilize, and support storage cost-effectively • Manage key operational issues associated with virtual infrastructure • Adapt existing network and security infrastructure to virtualization • Configure ESX from host connections • Configure ESX Server from Virtual Centers or hosts • Create, modify, and manage VMs (with detailed Windows, Linux, and NetWare examples) • Troubleshoot VM issues with eDirectory, private labs, firewalls, and clusters • Utilize vSphere 4.1’s improved Dynamic Resource Load Balancing (DRLB) • Implement disaster recovery, business continuity, and backup • Plan for vApps and the future of virtualization VMware ESX and ESXi in the Enterprise has long been the definitive single-source guide to VMware planning, deployment, and management. For today’s VMware architects, administrators, and managers, this edition will be even more valuable.

This book will detail the default and custom installation of VMware’s ESx server as well as basic and advanced virtual machine configurations. It will also discuss the requirements for a server virtualization and consolidation project and the cost savings surrounding such an effort. Furthermore, the book will provide a thorough understanding of the benefits of a virtual infrastructure and a comprehensive examination of how VMware eases administration and lowers overall IT costs. Lastly, the book delivers a thorough understanding of the virtual evolution which is underway in many IT organizations and how the reader will benefit from shifting from the physical to a virtual * A detailed resource on the default and custom installation of VMware's ESx server * Covers all the requirements for a server virtualization and consolidation project and the cost savings surrounding such an effort * Delivers a thorough understanding of the virtual evolution occuring in the IT industry

A virtual evolution in IT shops large and small has begun. VMware’s ESX Server is the enterprise tool to free your infrastructure from its physical limitations providing the great transformation into a virtual environment--this book shows you how. Use Syngress’ proven “How to Cheat methodology to configure and build VMware’s ESX Server version 3. This clear, concise guide provides all the information you need to become a virtual whiz! This book will detail the default and custom installation of VMware’s ESX server as well as basic and advanced virtual machine configurations. It will then walk the reader through post installation configurations including installation and configuration of VirtualCenter. From here, readers will learn to efficiently create and deploy virtual machine templates. Best practices for securing and backing up your virtual environment are also provided. The book concludes with a series of handy, time-saving command and configuration for: bash shell keystrokes, Linux commands, configuration files, common/proc files, VMware ESX commands, and troubleshooting. • Reap the Benefits of Server Virtualization Realize improved ROI, ensure efficient mergers and acquisitions, and reduce compliance risk exposure through server virtualization and consolidation. • Build a Virtual Machine Create a Gold Master and use your VMlibrary to leverage the power and flexibility of VMware. • Manage Your Virtual Infrastructure Use VMware tools to partition physical servers and manage virtual machines. • Set Up Scripted Installation See how a scripted installation method can be a fast and efficient way to provision ESX hosts. • Master ESX Native Tools Use tools like Esxtop to diagnose performance issues and vmkfstools to import and export • Install and Use VMware Scripting APIs Develop programs to help automate and ease administration—even with a limited background in scripting or programming. • Learn the Fundamentals of a VM Backup VMware ESX ships with three scripts that work together to create a backup and restore system: vmsnap.pl, vmsnap_all.pl, and vmres.pl. • Extend a Cloned Windows VM’s Root Partition Use Microsoft’s Sysprep utility to extend a newly deployed virtual machine’s root partition from the original clone size to a larger size.

If you want to gain insight into the real-world uses of VMware ESX and ESXi, this book provides scores of step-by-step solutions for working with these products in a wide range of network environments. You'll not only learn the basics -- how to pool resources from hardware servers, computer clusters, networks, and storage, and then distribute them among virtual machines -- but also the stumbling blocks you'll encounter when you monitor systems, troubleshoot problems, and deal with security. In addition to the recipes, VMware Cookbook includes background information to help you determine your virtualization needs. You'll come to view VMware as part of the real environment, alongside operating systems, storage, and logical and physical network components. Follow best practices for installing VMware in your environment Discover how to secure and monitor your network Understand disk storage implementation and configuration Learn resource management using the distributed resource scheduler, shares, and resource pools Configure logical and physical networks Learn how to clone and migrate servers Gain valuable tips for configuration and fine-tuning Many resources can teach you about virtualization and the basics of VMware. This book is for system administrators who are ready to go beyond an introduction.