Course Overview
VMware Ultimate Bootcamp vSphere 5.0 teaches advanced virtualization concepts and explores the
VMware vSphere 5.0 product suite. This comprehensive class prepares the student to become a certified
professional virtualization expert. The course objective is to instill the knowledge required for the student
to do their job efficiently and effectively, starting from installation of the product to real-world
troubleshooting issues. The course focus is not limited only to learning and harnessing the power of
VMware but the entire concept of virtualization, and other 3rd party tools and technologies that will
enhance VMware capabilities and increase the student’s virtualization expertise.
Course Outline
Course Introduction 6m
Course Introduction
Chapter 01 – Course Introduction and Methodology 5m
Learn IT! Do IT! Know IT!
Certified Virtualization Expert (CVE) Certification
VMTraining’s Physical Setup
VMTraining’s Setup Student to Datacenter
VMTraining’s Network IP Setup
Chapter 01 Review
Chapter 02 – Virtualization Overview 1h 2m
Why Virtualize?
Why Virtualize? – Cost Savings
VMware ROI TCO Calculator v2.0
Why Virtualize? – Simplified Management!
What is Virtual Infrastructure?
What is a Virtual Machine (VM)?
Type 1 and Type 2 Hypervisors
Cloud Computing
VMware vCloud
VMware Virtualization Products
VMware Go
VMware Server 2.0
VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3)
vSphere 4 Features
vSphere 4.1 – Features Added
vSphere 4.1 Update 1 (2011/02/10) – New Features
vSphere 5 Host Features
vSphere 5 Network Features
vSphere 5 Storage Features
vSphere 5 vCenter Features
vSphere 5 VM HW Ver. 8
vSphere 5 Misc Features
VMware vCenter Server
VMware vCenter Orchestrator
VMware View 4.6 (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure)
VMware Workstation 8
VMware ACE 2.7
VMware Fusion 4.0.1
VMware Player 3.1.4
Windows/Microsoft Virtual PC 2007
Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1
Windows Server Virtualization Hyper-V R2 SP1 (Windows Server 2008 R2)
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 SP1
SCVMM 2008 R2
XenServer Enterprise v5.6 SP2
XenDesktop & Essentials for XenServer
Virtualization Platforms
Chapter 02 Review
Chapter 03 – Planning and Installing ESXi 1h 24m
Topic 1: Planning the ESXi Deployment
Physical Hardware Requirements
vSphere Hypervisor 5 (VMware ESXi)
VMware ESXi 5
Booting ESXi from a SAN LUN (Fibre Channel or iSCSI)
Booting ESXi from a SAN LUN
Linux, Windows & ESX/ESXi
Topic 2: vSphere 5 Deployment Guidelines
Overview of Deployment Planning
ESXi Compatibility Guides
Determining ESX/ESXi Physical Host Size
VMware Capacity Planner
Storage: Capacity and Performance
Memory Overcommitment
Topic 3: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Installation
vSphere Hypervisor 5 Installable
Demo: Installation of ESXi 5
Local Configuration of ESXi 5 using DCUI
Demo – Install ESXi 5
UDA 2.0 Script ESXi/ESX Installation
Demo – ESXi Host Install
vSphere 5 ESXi Image Builder CLI
vSphere 5 Auto Deploy for ESXi Installation
vSphere 5 Auto Deploy Process
vSphere 5 Auto Deploy Architecture
Topic 4: Configuring Hostname Resolution and NTP
Hostname Resolution in ESXi
Configuring DNS Settings
Time Synchronization
Demo – ESXi NTP Information
Topic 5: Troubleshooting ESXi
esx.conf Settings
ESXi/ESX Server Health Check
ESXi Host Boot Process
Resetting root Password ESXi 5
Troubleshooting ESXi CIM Management Agents
Troubleshooting: vmware-hostd
Purple Screen Of Death (PSOD)
Chapter 03 Review
Chapter 04 – Using Tools to Administer a VMware Environment 50m
Topic 1: Overview of 3rd Party Tools
Veeam (veeam.com)
Veeam nworks 5.6
Veeam – FastSCP 3.0.3 (free)
WinSCP 5.0.2 (free)
Datastore Browser (included ESXi 5)
ISO Programs
Novell – PlateSpin Migrate
Novell – PlateSpin Orchestrate
Quest Software (formerly Vizioncore)
PowerGUI (Quest, free)
PHD Virtual (phdvirtual.com)
VKERNEL (vkernel.com)
Topic 2: ESXi Management
ESXi Host & vCenter Server Management Overview
Direct Console User Interface (DCUI)
Managing ESXi with the vSphere Client (VIC)
Demo – vSphere Client
The Management User Interface (MUI) (ESX/ESXi/vCenter)
Managing with the vSphere Web Client
SSH Access: PuTTY, SecureCRT, FastSCP, etc.
Demo – PuTTY Session
Troubleshooting Options: ESXi 5
Configuration of Troubleshooting Options in ESXi 5
vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Only Features
CLI Commands Overview
vSphere Command Line Interface (vCLI)
vCLI Commands
Managing ESX/ESXi with the vSphere CLI (vCLI)
vCLI Command Syntax
vSphere SDK for Perl
vSphere Management Assistant (vMA 5.0)
PowerCLI 5.0
Topic 3: Linux Command Review
Windows Commands vs. Linux Commands
Common Command Line Interface (CLI) Options
ESXi 5 Text Editor
Demo – VI Editor
VMkernel System Information Viewing
Topic 4: Troubleshooting the vSphere Client (VIC)
vSphere Client Logs
Cannot Login Using vSphere Client
Chapter 04 Review
Chapter 05 – vCenter Server 5 and Licensing 1h 39m
Topic 1: Licensing
vCenter Server 5 and ESXi/ESX Host Licensing Model
Manage vSphere Licenses
vSphere Essentials 5 for Small Business (per 1 Socket)
vSphere 5 License Types and Pricing (per 1 Socket with vRAM Entitlements)
Calculate vSphere 5 Licensing
Windows Licensing Calculator
Microsoft Server Virtualization Validation Program
Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 SP1 – Free
Topic 2: vCenter Server Installation
vCenter Server 5 Summary
Managing Multiple Enterprise Locations
vCenter Server 5 Specifications
vCenter Server Database Overview
vCenter Server Virtual Appliance (vCSA) Specifications
Demo – vCenter Appliance
vCenter Server 5 Architecture
vCenter Server 5 and Host Functionality
Order of vCenter Installation
Topic 3: vCenter Server Inventory
vCenter Server Home Page
Hosts and Clusters: Datacenters
Hosts and Clusters: Folders and Clusters
VMs and Templates: Subfolders
vCenter Inventory: VMs Tab
Datastores and Datastore Clusters: Folders and Datastores
Networks: Portgroups & Distributed Switches (vDS)
Topic 4: Managing vCenter Server
Scheduled Tasks
Events
Sessions
System Logs
vCenter Solutions Manager
Client Settings
vCenter Mobile Access (vCMA)
Topic 5: Planning vCenter Server Deployment
vCenter Server 5 Database Sizing
Backup Strategy for vCenter Server
vCenter Server Heartbeat 6.4
Topic 6: Troubleshooting vCenter Server and Database
Refreshing vCenter Server
ESXi Host Agent (hostd) hangs
Demo – vCenter Statistics
vCenter Server Log Files
SQL Recovery Models
vCenter Server Service (vpxd) Errors
vCenter Server Standalone Mode
Reinitializing the vCenter Server Database
vSphere Client Session Errors
Chapter 05 Review
Chapter 06 – Configuring Networking 1h 48m
Topic 1: Creating & Modifying Virtual Networks
Networking Terms
vSphere 5 Virtual Switch Types
Network Connections in ESXi
Add Network Wizard
Standard Virtual Switches – ESXi
Standard Virtual Switches – ESX
Virtual Switch and Connection Type Identification
VMware Assigned MAC Addresses
Virtual Switch Physical NIC Configurations
Ports Used by VMkernel
NIC Teaming
Cisco Discovery Protocol
Modifying vSwitch Properties (Ports Tab)
Modifying vSwitch Properties (Network Adapters Tab)
VLAN Overview
Standard vSwitch VLAN Configuration
VLAN Planning
Standard vSwitch Protection and VLANs
Standard vSwitch and Port Group Policy Exceptions: Security
Standard vSwitch and Port Group Policy Exceptions: Traffic Shaping
Standard vSwitch and Port Group Policy Exceptions: NIC Teaming
Network Failure and NIC Teaming Options
Load Balancing Method: Route Based on the Originating Virtual Port ID (Default)
Load Balancing Method: Route Based on IP Hash (Source + Destination)
Load Balancing Method: Route Based on Source MAC Hash
Port Group: Override vSwitch Failover Order
Multiple Policies Applied to a Single Team
Physical Switch Configuration
Demo – Network Configuration
Topic 2: vSphere Distributed Virtual Switches
vSphere Distributed vSwitch (vDS) Overview
vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS) New Features in vSphere 5.0
Creating a vSphere Distributed Switch
Edit dvSwitch Settings
Edit dvSwitch Uplink Policy Settings
Edit dvSwitch Port Group Settings
Port Binding Methods
Private VLANs
Private VLAN (PVLAN) Tagging
Migrating Service Console Port or VMkernel Port to vDS
Network I/O Control (NIOC)
Network I/O Control (NIOC) Best Practices
Create NetFlow
Using Port Mirroring
Demo – Virtual Distributed Switch
Cisco Nexus 1000v Virtual Switch
Nexus 1000v Architecture
Networking Review
Topic 3: Creating & Modifying Virtual Networks Using CLI
Networking CLI Commands
Physical NIC Commands
Configure Physical NICs
Virtual Switch Commands
Configure Virtual Switches
VMkernel Port Commands
Configure the VMkernel Port
Service Console (vswif) Commands
Additional Service Console (vswif) Commands
Adding a Second Service Console
Chapter 06 Review
Chapter 07 – Configuring Storage 2h 16m
Topic 1: Storage Concepts
Storage Terms
SAN vs NAS in vSphere
Device and Path Naming
vSphere’s Family of Storage APIs
Multipathing
Storage APIs – Multipathing
Path Selection Considerations
Viewing Multipathing
Storage I/O Control (SIOC)
Storage APIs – Array Integration
Multipathing Commands
Multipathing Commands (vCLI)
Multipathing Command Examples
Topic 2: iSCSI Storage (GUI & Command Line)
Internet Small Computers Systems Interface (iSCSI) Overview
iSCSI Terms for ESX/ESXi
ESX/ESXi and iSCSI SAN Environment and Addressing
Hardware vs. Software Initiators
Multipathing with iSCSI
Setup Steps – Multipathing with Software iSCSI
iSCSI Software Initiator Networking
Configuring iSCSI
Configure Software Initiator
Bind VMkernel ports to Storage Adapter (GUI)
Bind VMkernel ports to Storage Adapter (CLI)
Discovering iSCSI Targets
Demo – v5 Storage Setup
Jumbo Frames
Configure Software Initiator: CHAP Authentication
iSCSI Session Options (CLI)
iSCSI Software Initiator Troubleshooting
iSCSI Vendors and Products
Topic 3: Fibre Channel Storage
What is Fibre Channel?
Fibre Channel Terms for ESXi
ESX/ESXi and Fibre Channel SAN Environment and Addressing
Scanning Fibre Channel LUNs
Multipathing with Fibre Channel
Fibre Channel Vendors and Products
Network/Storage Architecture Review
Topic 4: VMFS Datastores (GUI & Command Line)
Virtual Machine File System (VMFS-3)
Virtual Machine File System (VMFS-5)
Viewing and Creating a VMFS-3 Datastore
Upgrade VMFS-3 to VMFS-5
Viewing and Creating a VMFS-5 Datastore
Demo – Creating a VMFS-3 Datastore
Demo – Creating a VMFS-5 Datastore
Expanding Your VMFS Datastore Using Extents
Add an Extent to Existing VMFS
Expand an ESX/ESXi 4.1/5 VMFS Volume
Partition Alignment
Disk Defragmentation
VMFS Operations – vmkfstools
Displaying Disk Usage Detail (ESX vdf -h ESXi df -h)
Topic 5: NAS Storage and NFS Datastores (GUI & Command Line)
Network Attached Storage (NAS) and ESX/ESXi
NFS Components, Addressing and Access Control with NFS on Linux
NFS Target on Windows 2003 R2
Mount an NFS Datastore to Host
Demo – NFS Creating
NFS Configuration Options (CLI)
Storage APIs – Array Integration NFS
Topic 6: Raw Device Mapping (RDM)
Raw Device Mapping (RDM)
Raw Device Mapping Benefits
RDM Compatibility Modes
RDM CLI Commands
Solid State Disks (SSD)
Chapter 07 Review
Chapter 08 – VM Creation, Configuration, and Snapshots 2h 40m
Topic 1: Create a VM
VM Virtual Hardware
Types of Virtual NICs (vNIC)
Virtual Machine Files
Virtual Disk
Virtual SCSI Controller Type
VMDirectPath
Virtual Machine Access to Storage
Install Guest OS into VM
VM Console & Menus
VMware Tools
VMware Tools Configurable Features
Demo – Creating a VM
Topic 2: Create Multiple VMs, Templates, & Clones
Clones & Templates
Deploy VM from Template
Customizing the OS in a Virtual Machine
Customization Specification Manager
Deploying Across Datacenters
Demo – Template Provisioning
Topic 3: Virtual Appliances
Virtual Appliances
Import Virtual Appliances
Export VM to OVF Format
Topic 4: VMware Converter (P2V – V2V)
VMware Converter 5
VMware Converter Sources
VMware vCenter Converter 5
Pre Conversion Tasks
Hot Cloning – 4 Step Process
Post Conversion Steps
VMware vCenter Converter 5 Standalone
Troubleshooting VMware Converter
Topic 5: Manage VMs
Hot and Cold VM Migrations
Hot Add Memory and CPUs
VM Properties – Hardware Tab
VM Properties – Options Tab
Demo – New VM Features in vSphere 5
Resize a Virtual Disk
Extend VMDK
Extend Partitions Using gparted
Renaming a Virtual Machine
vmware-cmd.pl (vCLI)
Kill a VM with esxcli
Topic 6: Virtual Machine Startup/Shutdown
Startup/Shutdown of VMs
Enabling VM Startup/Shutdown
VM Startup/Shutdown Override
Demo – VM Startup/Shutdown
Topic 7: Virtual Machine Snapshots
Virtual Machine Snapshots
Files Used by Snapshots
Taking Snapshots
Snapshot Manager
Reverting to a Snapshot
Deleting Snapshots
Demo – Snapshots
Topic 8: vSphere Web Client
vSphere Web Client
vSphere Web Client – Requirements
Log in to Web Access
Demo – v5 Web Client
Topic 9: Virtual Machine Troubleshooting & Best Practices
Troubleshooting VM Problems
Differences Between VMs and Physical Servers (Best Practices)
Chapter 08 Review
Chapter 09 – Security and Permissions 1h 10m
Topic 1: Controlling User Access and Passwords
Types of Users
vCenter/ESXi/ESX Host Security Model
Permissions
Roles
Privileges Explained
ESXi Host Permissions
vCenter Permissions
Multiple Group Permissions: No Conflicts – Groups Only
Multiple Group Permissions: No Conflicts – Users and Groups
Multiple Group Permissions: Conflicting Permissions
Multiple Group Permissions: User Overrides and Unions
Multiple User Permissions: Explicit vs. Inherited
Multiple User Permissions: Explicit vs. Inherited #2
Demo – vSphere Client Permissions
Topic 2: ESXi/ESX Active Directory (AD) Integration
UNIX Authentication Model
UNIX Authentication Flow
AD-ESX/ESXi 4.1/5 Authentication Services
Assign ESX/ESXi 4.1/5 Permissions Directly to AD Users
Demo – Active Directory Integration
Topic 3: Managing Firewalls
TCP & UDP Ports
Certificates and Data Encryption
ESXi 5.0 Firewall
ESXi Firewall Configuration via vSphere Client
ESXi Host Firewall Commands
Demo – Firewall
Topic 4: SSH Access
Secure Shell (SSH)
Controlling SSH Access
SSH/Console Banner Message
Monitoring ESXi Access
Topic 5: The root Account
root Logon
Using substitute user(su) with root
For More Security Information
Topic 6: VMsafe and vShield
VMsafe Overview
Current VMsafe Partners
vShield Product Family Overview
Chapter 09 Review
Chapter 10 – Server and VM Monitoring 1h 24m
Topic 1: Optimizing Resources
Transparent Memory Page Sharing
Balloon-Driver: vmmemctl
VMkernel Swap – Defined
VM Swap Files
VMkernel Swap vm-name.vswp
Memory Compression
Virtual CPUs (vCPUs)
VMkernel CPU Load Balancing
VMs’ CPU & Memory Resource Setting Terms
CPU Resource Settings
Demo – Hardware Status
Memory Resource Settings
Memory Overhead
ESXi 5 Resource Allocation per VM
Resource Shares
Monitoring – Hardware Status
Topic 2: Performance Monitoring
Performance Monitoring
Customize Performance Chart
Troubleshooting Performance
Problem: High CPU Utilization
Problem: High Memory Utilization
Problem: High Disk Utilization
Problem: High Network Utilization
Veeam Monitor
Veeam Monitor Demo
Quest Software vFoglight
Demo – Veeam Monitor
VKERNEL CapacityVIEW
Topic 3: Configuring Alarms
vCenter Alarms
Alarm Settings
Default Alarms in vCenter
Configure vCenter Notifications
Topic 4: ESXi and vCenter Logs
ESXi 5 Log Files from DCUI
Using esxtop
Demo – esxtop
Performance Snapshots from CLI
ESXi 5 Log file locations
ESXi 5 Log Files
Collecting vCenter Log Files
Collecting Diagnostics Data
Configuring Syslog on ESXi
Sending Logs to a Syslog Server
Chapter 10 Review
Chapter 11 – Advanced ESXi and vCenter Server Management 2h 28m
Topic 1: Storage Views & Topology Maps
vCenter Storage Views
Storage Views – Reports
Storage Views – Maps
vCenter Topology Maps
Host Map View
Topic 2: Storage vMotion
Storage vMotion Migration
Requirements for Storage vMotion
Storage vMotion in vSphere 5
Storage vMotion – Command-Line Interface
(vCLI) Non-interactive Mode: SvMotion Examples
Demo – Storage vMotion
Topic 3: Configuring vMotion
vMotion Migration
How vMotion Works
Demo – vMotion
vMotion: ESX/ESXi Host Requirements
Identifying CPU Characteristics
Enable or Disable Nx/xD
vMotion Errors and Warnings
VM Map View
Advanced vMotion Errors
Topic 4: Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) Cluster
Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) Overview
DRS Cluster in the vCenter Inventory
vCenter Cluster
Demo – Creating a Cluster
Configure Automation Level
Initial Placement
Dynamic Balancing/History
Demo – DRS Usage
Virtual Machine Rules
Virtual Machine to Host Rules
Virtual Machine Options
Distributed Power Management (DPM)
Enhanced vMotion Compatibility (EVC)
VM Swapfile Location
Topic 5: Datastore Clusters & Storage DRS (SDRS)
vSphere Storage API for Storage Awareness (VASA)
Profile-Driven Storage
Storage Capabilities
VM Storage Profiles
Apply Storage Profiles to VMs
Expert Tip: Known Port Conflict
Datastore Clusters
Create a Datastore Cluster
Storage DRS (SDRS) Overview
Datastore Cluster Information
Demo – Storage DRS
Topic 6: Resource Pools and Monitoring
Resource Pools
Expandable Reservations
Resource Pool Example Summary
Resource Pool Example: CPU Limits
Troubleshooting Memory Resources
Retaining Host Resource Pools
Best Practices for VM Resources
Monitoring the DRS Cluster – Resource Allocation
Monitoring the DRS Cluster – DRS Resource Distribution Graph
Monitor Cluster Usage
Topic 7: Host Profiles
Host Profiles Overview
Create Host Profile
Edit Host Profile
Attach Host Profile
Check Compliance with Host Profile
Per Host Answer Files
Apply Host Profile
Export a Host Profile
Demo – Host Profiles in vSphere 4.x
Demo – Host Profiles in vSphere 5
Topic 8: Linked Mode Group of vCenter Servers
Linked vCenter Servers Overview
Linked Mode Group Prerequisites
Create a Linked Mode Group
Manage Multiple vCenters
Topic 9: vSphere Storage Appliance (VSA)
vSphere Storage Appliance (VSA) – Overview
vSphere Storage Appliance (VSA) – Components
vSphere Storage Appliance (VSA) – Architecture
Chapter 11 Review
Chapter 12 – Patching and Upgrading ESXi 39m
Topic 1: Patching ESXi Standalone Hosts
Planned Downtime: Maintenance Mode
Patch Installation: vihostupdate.pl
Topic 2: Patching with Update Manager
Update Manager 5 Overview
Update Manager Terms
Update Manager vSphere Client Plugin
Update Manager Baselines
Update Manager Remediation Defaults and Configuration Options
Update Manager Events
Update Manager Notifications
Patch Repository
Update Manager Download Service
Update Manager Sizing Estimator
Update Manager Tab
Remediation
Topic 3: Upgrades and Migrations
Upgrade Methodology
Upgrade VirtualCenter/vCenter to a New Version
Upgrade vCenter 4.1 to 5.0
ESX/ESXi Migration to New Hardware 3.x to Any Version
Upgrade Distributed Switch to 5.0
ESXi 4.x/5.0 Migration to New Hardware – Enterprise Plus
ESX/ESXi Upgrade using Update Manager
Upgrade the Virtual Machines
Use the vSphere Client to Upgrade the VMware Tools
Use vSphere Client to Upgrade Virtual Machine Hardware
Use Update Manager to Upgrade Virtual Machines
Chapter 12 Review
Chapter 13 – Disaster Recovery and Backup 1h 26m
Topic 1: Site Recovery Manager (SRM)
VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) V5.0
VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) V5.0 – New Features
SRM Architecture Overview
SRM – Site Recovery Infrastructure
SRM – Create Recovery Plans
SRM – Test Recovery Plans
SRM – Automate Failover
Topic 2: High Availability (HA)
VMware High Availability
New vSphere 5 HA Features
vSphere 5 HA in Action
Demo – v5 High Availability
Configure HA Cluster
VMware HA: Virtual Machine Options
Host Isolation
Guidelines for Isolation Response Setting
HA VM Monitoring
HA Datastore Heartbeating
Viewing Your HA Cluster
Troubleshooting VMware HA
Topic 3: VM Fault Tolerance
Fault Tolerance Overview
Fault Tolerance Requirements
Configure VMkernel NIC
Turn on Host Certificate Checking
Turn on Fault Tolerance
Topic 4: Microsoft Clustering
Virtualizing Microsoft Clusters
Microsoft Cluster Services
Microsoft Cluster Services Requirements
Topic 5: Backup Strategies
Backup Strategies for VMs
Topic 6: VMware Data Recovery
Data Recovery 2.0 Overview
Demo – Data Recovery Setup
Data Recovery Installation & Features
Configure Network Settings
Configure VMs to Backup
Configure Data Recovery Appliance and Setup Backup Job
Demo – Data Recovery
Topic 7: Third Party Backups
PHD Virtual Backup and Recovery 5.3 for Vmware
PHD Virtual Backup v5.1 – vCenter Plugin
Quest vRanger 5.2 (formerly Vizioncore)
vRanger Pro – Screenshots
Veeam Backup & Replication v5.0.2 with vPower
Veeam Backup – Screenshot
Chapter 13 Review
Course Closure
Total Duration: 18hrs 57m