# vBeginners

> Virtualization Technology for Beginners


## Posts

- [Review: Virtualization Changes Everything (Must Read for Beginners)](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-datastore-storage-strategies/): VMware Storage Strategies To solve VMware storage problems, you need to understand how virtualization uses your storage, right? And, to design a robust new vSphere from the ground up, you need a great storage strategy, right? This book can help with both cases…and more. Vaughn Stewart and Michael Slisinger have shared their experiences and knowledge about VMware datastores and storage strategies in a book called, Virtualization Changes Everything: Storage Strategies for VMware vSphere and Cloud Computing. About The Book… Vaughn and Michael did a superb job writing this book (lots of details, terms, and examples). For VMware Beginners, it’s a wealth of technical information […]
- [VCP for Hire eBook by Joe](https://www.vbeginners.com/vcp-for-hire-ebook/): If you’re an IT Manager looking for the easy way to make sure your vSphere or any other type of virtualization of cloud infrastructure is built correctly, it starts with building the right team. I wrote VCP for Hire as a guide for IT Managers who are looking for help building a virtualization team. I’ll be the first to admit when I started managing my first virtualization team, I thought I knew all about VMware and the type of staff and expertise I would need to maintain a large robust enterprise virtual environment – wrong! Wake Up Call! Little did I know […]
- [Server Build Automation: Gold Templates Are Precious](https://www.vbeginners.com/build-automation-templates/): I remember only a few years back how proud system administrators were about building their precious servers – but today – templates, and server build automation and orchestration have changed the game… Building Servers in the Old Days In the old days, build automation was follow a manual checklist and we’d spend days, even weeks designing and building the perfect server. The servers would then be put on pedestals as though they were gods, even given names such as Zeus! They were our Precious… These precious servers were also aggressively protected so that nobody except us could tweak or change […]
- [10 Virtualization & VMware Podcasts by Experts in Virtual Technology](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-podcast/): Listening to a VMware podcast is a perfect solution when commuting! When I started listening to a VMware podcast while driving back and forth across Phoenix it was like manna from heaven because I am sick and tired of the same dumb talking heads on the radio, not to mention commercial after commercial… Now I can spend the time learning about something I enjoy, virtualization and cloud technology – what a Geek! Here’s a list of 10 Virtualization & VMware Podcasts I’ve found: APAC Virtualization Roundtable –  Craig Waters Gestalt IT Roundtable – Gestalt The Chinwag – Mike Laverick The Cloudcast – Brian Gracely This Week in Virtualization – SearchServerVirtualization.com The […]
- [Oops! VMare vs VMware](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmare/): VMare vs VMware This post is to help those new to virtualization technology who are searching for VMware but have miss-spelled it as VMare… To find out more about VMware (VMare) I suggest you review the vBeginners list of VMware tips and best practices. You can start here with 25  VMware tips, lessons and guides for beginners.
- [VMware Pricing FAQ: Which License Should I Purchase?](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-pricing/): Depending on what you plan to do with your virtual environment: virtual servers, virtual desktops, or multitenant hosting – VMware vSphere 5 licenses could get confusing. This FAQ* will help you answer some of the questions before you meet with a VMware sales representative. VMware License Questions: Q: Does the new VMware vSphere 5 licensing model—per-CPU without limitation on the number of VMs, cores, or amount of physical RAM—apply to both vSphere 5.0 and vSphere 5.1? A: Yes. The VMware vSphere 5 licensing model applies to both vSphere 5.0 and 5.1 customers. Q: Does the new VMware vSphere 5 licensing […]
- [VMware Health Check (Improve Uptime & Efficiency)](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-health-check/): Managers! Is it time for a VMware health check to make sure your virtualization investment is not wasted? Improve Uptime by Keeping vSphere in Shape I know infrastructure budgets are tight, and I also know how difficult it can be to balance CAPEX and OPEX from month to month. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of creating SLA Uptime reports as well as calculating monthly staff and environment utilization down to the kilowatt. This is why performing a regular VMware health check is important because it helps keep VMware costs of ownership low by exposing waste, and providing opportunities to take […]
- [Best vSphere 5.1 KB Upgrade Links](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-5-1-kb-links/): Knowledge Base Links for troubleshooting common errors when installing or upgrading to vSphere 5.1 My buddy Matt Mancini (no relation to Boom Boom Mancini) has posted a bunch of vSphere 5.1 Knowledge Base links on his website, VMExplorer.com. Here’s a good one that you should know about: # Unable to log in to vCenter Server after upgrade to 5.1 vCenter Server (2035758) Matt and I go way back to the first days of the Phoenix VMUG. We also worked very closely together before he took a Technical Account Manager TAM position at VMware (lucky him)! To check out the list on […]
- [Cloud Computing Basics for Beginners: Video Tutorial](https://www.vbeginners.com/cloud-computing-basics/): Cloud Computing Basics Tutorial Watch this interesting 16 minute tutorial video by Brian Gracely that explains Cloud Computing Basics in very easy to understand terms. The complete tutorial series covers: Cloud 101 Basics How the Cloud Industry is Evolving Cloud Economics What’s Changing How are businesses using Cloud IaaS Infrastructure as a Service PaaS Platform as a Service Saas Software as a Service Changing Skills Managing & Operations Security Audits Laws, Rules and Regulations How Does Cloud Computing Work? Cloud computing is having a huge impact on business. With most large companies like Facebook using the cloud because it is effective and […]
- [How To Choose the Best Hardware from the VMware HCL](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-hcl/): Weighing the Difference: Tips and Best Practices A best practice is to start by choosing servers and storage from the VMware HCL Guide, especially if it’s your first time building a vSphere Cloud. Even white box low-cost servers are on the HCL. 1.  Is Your Hardware on the Compatibility List? Always make sure anything you purchase for your environment is on the VMware HCL (hardware compatibility list) because you don’t want to end up with a key vSphere feature not supported. This tip is more important to anyone buying used or refurbished equipment, or when upgrading to new ESXi versions. New hardware will likely […]
- [Cisco UCS Platform Kool-Aid (Careful When Drinking)](https://www.vbeginners.com/cisco-ucs/): A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words! I don’t dislike the Cisco UCS Platform, I just don’t feel good about letting a network hardware vendor take over the server infrastructure market! Here’s why… Since the beginning of time, there has been a separation between network engineers and systems engineers – but in today’s fast changing world there is a push to converge these technologies into one group, and Cisco UCS provides the perfect blade serve hardware platform to do this. This all sounds great, right? And after all, “Converge” is the trend, but be careful where you drink! I admit, […]
- [Blades vs Rack Servers For vSphere](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-blades-vs-rack-mount-servers-for-vsphere/): Blades Are Sexy! Are you trying to decide whether to use blade and chassis instead of rack mounted servers for virtualization? Here are the Pros and Cons of Blades vs Rack Servers… Pros of Blade and Chassis for VMware vSphere First of all Blade and Chassis are Cool, especially UCS! (now that we have that out-of-the-way let’s move on). Uses fewer network ports (2 or 4 per chassis depending on storage type) Uses less power. Uses less cabling. Creates less heat. Uses less rack space (Approx. 10U for 16 blades). Uses less rack space and square footage for higher density DC. Centralized […]
- [Free Open Source Cloud Self Service Portal Software](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-cloud-software/): Open Source Self Service Portals for VMware, XenServer, KVM and other virtual servers: Open Eucalyptus http://www.eucalyptus.com OpenNebula http://www.opennebula.org/ Cloud Stack http://www.cloud.com Convirture  http://www.convirture.com/ (Supports VMware) OpenStack www.Openstack.org Self service cloud software is cool, but you’ll also need a hypervisor. I highly recommend you take a look at these virtual machine program alternatives to see if there is one that will work for your existing hardware environment. All links are Free or Open Source Cloud Portal Software.* *Update 10/25/2012
- [Why Did VMware "REALLY" Join the OpenStack Foundation?](https://www.vbeginners.com/why-did-vmware-really-join-the-openstack-foundation/): I read about VMware joining the OpenStack Foundation yesterday on Gigamon and I couldn’t help but think what’s coming next for these poor chaps…chuckle, chuckle! Article: Finally! VMware joins the OpenStack Foundation, this time for real. Barb Darrow writes…There is still some anxiety that VMware will be a fox in OpenStack’s hen house, though. There was also some chatter that the rival Apache CloudStack Project backed by Citrix and others might be the more open and transparent cloud option. Pure Speculation! Should I wonder what kind of deals were made behind the scene? Or do you think this is just VMware wanting […]
- [Free Unitrends Enterprise Backup Software](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-unitrends-enterprise-backup-software/): Once again I have another cool freebie for protecting your VMware or Hyper-V virtual servers. This one is called Unitrends and it has some very robust features: Unitrends Enterprise Backup Free Edition for VMware ESXi and Hyper-V Enterprise-Class Data Protection for Every Business + Instant recovery of virtual machines. + Software for File-level recovery of files and folders. + Rotational archiving to disk, tape, NAS and SAN. + Automated backup scheduling with flexible strategies. Protect 4 VMs For Free. Forever! (read more) Related Reading: 3 Alternative vSphere Data Protection (VDP) Backup Replacements
- [Free eBooks Administering VMware Site Recovery Manager & VMware View](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-ebooks-about-administering-vmware-site-recovery-manager/): Here are some more great free resources that will help those who have implemented, or are planning to implement VMware Site Recovery Manager or VMware View. Now, to be honest, I’ve never installed or used SRM or View (my VDI is XenDesktop) so I can’t give you my recommendation, but they are free so you can download the free eBooks, read them and spit out the bones. Administering VMware Site Recovery Manager 4.0 – By Mike Laverick Administering VMware View 4.5 – By Mike Laverick Read more about the author Mike Laverick on his LinkedIn profile. I love to write posts about free stuff that […]
- [Which VMware VNIC Should I Use?](https://www.vbeginners.com/which-vmware-vnic-should-i-use/): Which VMware VNIC is Best? I recently attended a tech talk where Doug Baer, VCDX, was speaking about all the different VMware VNIC adapters there are now to choose from for vSphere. After the meeting, I spoke with Doug and asked him if I could share his VMware VNIC data on my blog.  He gave me his approval so here it is: VLANCE Emulated version of the AMD 79C970 PCnet32 LANCE NIC An older 10 Mbps NIC Drivers are available in most 32-bit guest operating systems except Windows Vista and later. A virtual machine configured with this network adapter can […]
- [What is Virtualisation?](https://www.vbeginners.com/what-is-virtualisation/): I get emails all the time asking me, “What is Virtualisation?” Sorry for the confusing spelling but that’s how it’s normally spelled in the emails. What is Virtualisation? Most IT people think of VMware, KVM, VirtualIron, Xen or another hypervisor when they consider virtualization. But there’s a whole world out there that doesn’t know this and there’s another world out there that spans outside virtualisation of servers and desktops, such as: virtualized storage, networks, firewalls which have all become a big part of virtualisation over the last year. Back to What is Virtualisation… In a nutshell – virtualisation takes something physical, such […]
- [VMworld 2012 Booth Recommendations](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmworld-2012/): Are you overwhelmed with all the choices to choose from for your first VMworld Conference? I won’t be making VMworld 2012 this year but I’ve been to two others so here’s a quick short list of some good booths to visit and a few tips to help you survive:  Dress lite (wear comfortable shoes because you will do a lot of walking). Don’t lug a laptop (If you bring your laptop after the first hour it will be too much to lug around). Take your time (Remember you have 4 days to see everything). Too much SWAG will cost you if you need to check […]
- [Free eBook Best Practices & Cloud Management by Greg Shields](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-ebook-best-practices-cloud-management-by-greg-shields/): The Title of Greg’s eBook is New Best Practices in Virtual and Cloud Management: Performance, Capacity, Compliance, and Workload Automation. After reviewing Greg’s eBook, I agree there need to be New Best Practices adopted if virtualization and cloud are to co-exist. Greg Shields covers Virtualization and Cloud in this short, but very detailed, free eBook. Download More about Greg Shields:  Watch Realtime author Greg Shields discuss Private Cloud Solutions
- [VMware vSphere Alternatives: OpenStack, SmartCloud, CloudStack](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-alternatives/): Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it’s time to start learning about VMware vSphere Alternatives such as: OpenStack, SmartCloud, CloudStack? vSphere Alternatives Since the 90s I’ve been on the VMware bandwagon and have honed my VMware product skills and experience through 6 generations of Hypervisors including GSX, if you want to consider GSX a Hypervisor – that is? I admit I’ve dabbled here and there with Hyper-V, XenServer, and VirtualBox, but nothing serious because VMware has always been on the cutting edge of virtualization (virtualization) and cloud technology. Even my blog is 99.9% about VMware products, tips, and […]
- [Quick vSphere Client Download Links](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-client-download/): Quick and Easy Download Links Unless you like to use the vCenter or ESXi web console, you’ll require the client software to manage your VMs and ESXi host configuration and settings via the vCenter GUI. Sphere Client Downloads Version 4.1, 4.1u1, 4.1u2, 5.0, 5.0u1, 5.5  v4.1 for ESXi 4.x>> VMware-viclient-all-4.1.0-258902  v4.1 U1  for ESXi 4.x U1>>  VMware-viclient-all-4.1.0-345043  v4.1 U2 for ESXi 4.x U2>> VMware-viclient-all-4.1.0-491557  v5.0  for ESXi 5.x>> VMware-viclient-all-5.0.0-455964  v5.0 U1 for ESXi 5.x U1>> VMware-viclient-all-5.0.0-623373 v5.5 for ESXi 5.5.x >> VMware-viclient-all-5.5.0-1281650 Video on How to Install and Use the vSphere Client (VIC*) to Manage ESXi httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Lns2XEiCI Did you like this video training… More * VIC is […]
- [Is Virtualisation a Parallel Universe of Virtualization?](https://www.vbeginners.com/is-virtualisation-a-parallel-universe-of-virtualization/): Do you realize that Google has about 22,300,000 results for “virtualisation?” Is there that many people spelling virtualization wrong because even WordPress and Microsoft Word kept trying to auto-correct the spelling to virtualization? Doing a little research I found Wikipedia has caught on and has the following virtualisation description (full post link): “In computing, virtualization (or virtualisation) is the creation of a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as a hardware platform, operating system (OS), storage device, or network resources.” I even found a really long article on ComputerWeekly with this incorrect spelling: Virtualisation making IT more cost effective. What Is the Difference […]
- [vBeginners Recommends VMware Cookbook: A Real-World Guide to Effective VMware Use](https://www.vbeginners.com/vbeginners-recommends-vmware-cookbook-a-real-world-guide-to-effective-vmware-use/):  With scores of step-by-step solutions, this cookbook helps you work with VMware ESXi 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 how to overcome the stumbling blocks you’ll encounter when you monitor systems, troubleshoot problems, and deal with security. This expanded second edition covers recent advances in vCloud Director and vShield cloud security. Ideal for system administrators of any level, VMware Cookbook also includes valuable information to help you determine your virtualization needs. The […]
- [How to Avoid a VMware Crash: Defuse Your vSphere Ticking Time Bomb](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-crash/): What happens when VMware vSphere is not properly designed, built, and supported? The plain and simple answer… a VMware crash! You could prove my point the hard way which could cost you your job if the virtual servers responsible for your company’s bread and butter ever do crash because of bad management… I’ve written VCP For Hire: A Manager’s Guide for Hiring vSphere Virtualization Engineers and Administrators to help IT Managers. (Kindle) Virtualization Skills In VCP For Hire, I explain what skills and experience are recommended to properly design, build and support a healthy VMware vSphere environment. I identify many […]
- [Free SolarWinds Storage Monitoring Tool Finds Heavy Hitters](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-solarwinds-storage-monitoring-tool-finds-heavy-hitters/): I’ve had my share of using ESXTOP with its hard-to-understand commands, so when I saw SolarWinds had a free tool for monitoring storage response time and kernel latency, I thought free storage tools would do something useful – no way! From the highlights, it looks like the tool is useful for something I always needed to know – figuring out which VM is the heavy-hitter on the data store so I could do some vMotioning to stop the pain of having too many VMs trashing a storage LUN and causing performance issues. Is SolarWinds Storage Monitoring Tool Still Available? Yes, […]
- [ESXTOP Forum: New Technical Community For Sharing VMware Tips and Links](https://www.vbeginners.com/esxtop/): Lucky me! Today while I was surfing the internet I did a search and found ESXTOP.COM was available so I quickly registered it. After about 1.5 hours of programming, tweaking and customizing WordPress, ESXTOP is now a technical forum that is linked to vBeginners.
- [VMware Pricing Always Comes Up But Does VMware Offer More Value Per Dollar?](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-pricing-always-comes-up-but-does-vmware-offer-more-value-per-dollar/): What is the price at the “PUMP” for VMware? Does VMware offer more value per dollar than its competitors? Ten years ago if you were comparing Honda and Toyota to Chevy and Ford there would be no debate. Toyota and Honda would win hands down on quality, dependability and price. The same goes for VMware… In today’s virtualization market, VMware definitely has the lead in virtualization innovation and is buying up every product on the market that even looks like it offers value or complements their current VMware product-line. Aren’t Leaders the Best? That said, does being the leader make you the Best? […]
- [4 Free iPad Apps for VMware View, vSphere, vCloud and Octopus](https://www.vbeginners.com/4-free-ipad-apps-for-vmware-view-vsphere-vcloud-and-octopus/): Do you want mobility for managing your VMware Infrastructure? Maybe this will help. I was browsing the iPad Apps today and ran into a pretty long list of Apps that have been posted on iTunes for VMware. The 4 software Apps I am listing below  are from VMware but there are many others for training, studying for Cert Exams, monitoring and CLI. Here’s a quick list with a description of 4 iPad Apps by VMware that can give you mobile access to VMware View, vSphere, vCloud and Octopus from your iPad.
- [It Works! VMware Workstation + Windows 8 + MAC OS X](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-8-mac/): I don’t own a MAC so I thought I would have some fun and see if all the “Buzz” is true about running MAC OS X on a Windows 8 System (lab system with pre-release) using VMware Workstation. After a couple of hours of downloading and tweaking, re-downloading, and re-tweaking, I can tell you that it does work, kinda! Before you get too excited let me qualify it by saying “don’t get your hopes up too high” because it won’t replace your Windows. Not Like Fusion or Parallels Unlike running Windows on a MAC using Parallels or Fusion, running Lion […]
- [VMware Resume Tips: Get Noticed with These 5 Tweaks](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-resume/): These VMware resume tips will help you get noticed! But nailing the interview and getting the job is up to you… Tweaking Your VMware Resume 1. Where have you worked? No Duh, right? Stay with me! VMware resume tips (tweak) #1 – Get this…Employers with large complex virtual environments will often get selected by “Best in Class” vendors to share their success stories at tech conferences. If you work for a company that has been in the news – promote it on your resume, especially if you were one of the people behind the scene doing the work. 2. How […]
- [Service Console Commands: VMware vSphere ESXi 5 CLI](https://www.vbeginners.com/service-console-commands-vmware-vsphere-esxi-5-cli/): When upgrading to ESXi 5, it’s important to consider what has changed. Aside from the added features and all the changes in vSphere vCenter, service console commands have also changed. In researching these commands for myself I have found a document by VMware which is the most complete service console command line document I have ever read and it also includes transitioning commands from ESXi 4.x to ESXi 5.   The following topics are covered: Transitioning Service Console Commands Using vSphere Client Interfaces Running vCLI or PowerCLI Commands from Remote Hosts vCLI Command Set Running ESXCLI Commands Against ESXi 4.x […]
- [Virtual Machine aka VM: What is a Virtual Machine?](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtual-machine-aka-vm-what-is-a-virtual-machine/): What is a Virtual Machine? Or for those that keep searching “How to create a virtual machine?” Interesting question…Virtual machines are created by virtualization software such as VMware vSphere, VirtualBox, XenServer, and other virtualization software. They account for a majority of servers in the world, and a fast-growing number of desktops used in business today. This point also factors in all the virtual private servers (VPS) being built in the “Cloud” by Amazon, RackSpace, and other Cloud service providers. The technology used to create a Virtual Machine, aka VM, has become highly sophisticated over the last 5 years. The reason […]
- [2012 VMware vSphere Security Hardening Guide: Best Practices](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-security-hardening-guide-for-2012-and-3-security-best-practices/): Let’s talk VMware security. Is your ESXi root password still “password”, or even better “password1”? I’ve seen a lot of weird and cool passwords, but passwords are just one form of security. Today while surfing Twitter I ran into a tweet by @VMware and thought it would be good to write this post about it. “VMware 5.0 Security Hardening Guide Released – Official Guide” June 01, 2012 The first thing that came to my mind was – hasn’t ESXi 5.0 already been out 6 months? Just asking… When I downloaded the file (HardeningGuide-vSphere50-v1.0),  I found it was an Excel file […]
- [Free Edition of Veeam Backup for VMware and Hyper-V](https://www.vbeginners.com/veeam-backup-free-edition-for-vmware-and-hyper-v/): Veeam Backup in the past and found it to be a good solution so I thought I’d share this message that just popped into my inbox. Calling all virtualization lovers! Veeam has some awesome news for you. It is HERE! Veeam Backup Free Edition for VMware and Hyper-V This exciting new free product includes the functionality from FastSCP—the essential tool for managing VM and host files, plus: VeeamZIP™: Ad-hoc backup of a live VM Instant File-Level Recovery: Restore individual guest files directly from a backup Quick Migration for VMware: Migrate a live VM to any host or datastore Best Books about Veeam […]
- [Easy 5 Step ESXi Tutorial: Free Download & Key](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-esxi-5-free-license-key-and-software-download/): Free ESXi Download… We’ve been downloading a free version of VMware software for ESX and ESXi for years and getting a free license key. This is an opportunity for VMware beginners to get their hands on a great hypervisor. Install it on a server, laptop, or old PC in minutes. Build a lab and take the first step in learning how to administrator a vSphere Cloud. Follow these steps and get going… 1. Download ESXi. Here’s the link from VMware for Free ESXi Download. 2. Get the Free License Key. 3. Download vSphere Client. 4. Check Your Hardware Compatibility You might also want to check out […]
- [Amazon Cloud Tool Makes Migration From VMware vCloud a Breeze](https://www.vbeginners.com/amazon-cloud-tool-makes-migration-from-vmware-vcloud-a-breeze/): Wow, is Amazon making it too easy to migrate VMDK files to EC2? I was reading about EC2 and found the following set of instructions very interesting. These step by step instructions might be useful for anyone using vCloud (vSphere) and is considering migration to Amazon Cloud, AWS. What is Amazon Up to? There’s no doubt in my mind Amazon wants to make it as easy as they can to get your VMware VM right over to EC2. Resource link: http://aws.amazon.com/ec2/vmimport/ Alternatively, if you use the VMware vSphere virtualization platform, you can use the Amazon EC2 VM Import Connector for VMware […]
- [VMware Windows Page File Best Practices](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-windows-page-file-best-practices/): There are two key best practices about VMware VM Windows page files (swap files). Step 1: I’ve found for optimum performance, it’s best to allow Windows to manage the page file. (see illustration) Step 2: I’ve also found it’s best to configure VMware ESX to store the page files in a shared data-store so when VMs are vMotioned the page file is not copied to the new location. This reduces the time during the vMotion process. Read about VMware SWAP File. Read more about Storing a virtual machine swap file in VMware KB 1004082. This is also a VMware Health Check best practice. Bonus […]
- [Solving VMware Host and VMware Guest Confusion](https://www.vbeginners.com/solving-vmware-host-and-vmware-guest-confusion/): What is a “VMware Host” and “VMware Guest”? I’m going to make a couple of assumptions in this post to help those who are researching these terms. First of all let’s discuss what I think you mean by “VMware Host”. This is actually what’s really known as an EXSi or ESX Host. It’s the physical server that has the VMware OS (Hypervisor) running on it that gets carved up into virtual servers (VMs). These VMs are also known as guests, which leads me to the next point. Secondly, what I think is meant by”VMware Guest”. It’s the virtual machine that’s […]
- [Do I Need a Virtualization Architect or VMware VCDX?](https://www.vbeginners.com/do-i-need-a-virtualization-architect-or-vmware-vcdx/): Read more about VMware VCDX. I did a search today on JobEgg and found 50 jobs across the country for Virtualization Architect, and almost just as many job posts for VMware Architect. Are architects becoming a new trend as more environments are now starting to scale larger and outgrow their old vCenter and ESXi setup? Will there be bidding wars as big businesses start hiring Virtualization Architects and VMware Architects with VCDX certifications to design and build their vSphere virtual infrastructures, I mean clouds? What will happen to all the VCPs as VMware continues to add more types of certifications and products to […]
- [Rescuing A Poor Performing VMware Virtual Infrastructure](https://www.vbeginners.com/rescuing-a-poor-performing-vmware-virtual-infrastructure/): Does your VMware vSphere Environment require First Aid? Rescuing A Poor Performing VMware vSphere Virtual Infrastructure About 4 years ago I was hired by a firm to help rescue their VMware infrastructure. Though they had everything any top performing VMware environment needed for success, including a VMware TAM, it just wasn’t meeting customer requirements for performance. The job began with me interviewing frustrated developers who demanded I move them off slow VMs back on to physical servers ASAP, “Get me off this VMware crap, now!” It was my job to calm them down and reassure them we were going to fix the […]
- [More than 20 Free Configuration and Monitoring Tools From Manage Engine](https://www.vbeginners.com/more-than-20-free-configuration-and-monitoring-tools-from-manage-engine/): Free Monitoring Tools from Manage Engine I’m always looking out for great tools for managing VMware Infrastructure and I think I hit the jackpot on the ManageEngine website. They have more than 20 free downloads to handle managing ESX, HyperV, and XenServer configuration, as well as free software tools for monitoring networks, storage,  servers and desktops. Plus – Exchange and SharePoint and the list goes on… The AD Manager tool is really sweet for those who need to do AD audits and workflow automation. Give these free tools a peek at ManageEngine Free Hyper V Configuration Tool Features: Easy to use dashboard […]
- [Single Pane Of Glass - SPOG Window](https://www.vbeginners.com/single-pane-of-glass/): As of this post, Google search shows 1,080,000 results for Single Pane Of Glass and the top result shows a basic definition. In the last 2 years, I heard the phrase Single Pane Of Glass or SPOG used a number of times including by me when I was trying to describe a new concept to some NOC staff on how I envisioned us monitoring our VMware virtual infrastructure. What is a SPOG? Basically, I visualized a tool where everything converged. For example: If we were having a performance problem in production I could open a SPOG window that showed server […]
- [10 Things I Remember About VMWorld 2011 - Cloud, vCoud Director, AWS Outage, Virtual Desktop-VDI, ESXi  5, Thin Storage and More…](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmworld-2011/): 10 Things I Remember About VMWorld 2011- Cloud, vCoud Director,  AWS Outage, Virtual Desktop-VDI, ESXi  5, Thin Storage and More… A lot more than 10 things happened in 2011, but here are the 10 things I remember looking back on this New Years-Eve Day: 1. Cloud became more than a buzz-word. 2. VMware’s vCloud Director was officially released. 3. Amazon’s AWS (Cloud) crashed several times. 4. Cisco UCS Server Hardware emerged (still buggy). 5. HP C-Class Blade Server Hardware became too much to handle. 6. Citrix bought Cloud.com and CloudStack products. 7. VDI or Virtual Desktop became popular (VMware View/Citrix […]
- [Book Review: Critical VMware Mistakes You Should Avoid by Larry Loucks](https://www.vbeginners.com/critical-vmware-mistakes-you-should-avoid-by-larry-loucks/): Book Review: Critical VMware Mistakes You Should Avoid by Larry Loucks Read more reviews… I have often thought of writing my own book on “things not to do” when building a virtual infrastructure and for what it’s worth, Larry Loucks has covered just about everything I would have written about – down to how recklessly VMware or other hyper-visors are chosen and deployed. To Larry’s point – just today I was in a discussion with someone who was explaining how after weeks of piloting new hardware, senior management went into a meeting and after less than an hour, chose the hardware that […]
- [Practice Makes for the Best Virtual Environments](https://www.vbeginners.com/the-best-virtual-environment-are-designed-and-maintained-by-the-best-virtualization-engineers/): I really do think the Best Virtual Environment are Designed and Maintained by the Best Virtualization Engineers because “practice does make perfect.” This post is dedicated to my friend’s, associates, and counterparts who go un-noticed by managers and VPs who just don’t get it. You are the brains behind the magic that virtualizes all those servers. You make VMware look easy, even though we know it’s all smoke and mirrors and a lot of technical management on our end. Kudos to You! All software tools aside, the best virtual environment are designed and maintained by the best virtualization engineers. These […]
- [vSphere 5 Licenses Change](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-5-licenses-change/): There’s a lot to consider when you decide to upgrade previous versions of ESX to vSphere 5. Take some time to read the following PDF “vSphere 5 pricing and packaging white paper” Other links to read: Upgrading to VMware vSphere License Keys How to Get Your vSphere 5 Licenses Upgrade Eligibility Entitlement Mapping Preparing for Your License Upgrade Version Downgrade vSphere Licensing Roles Further Licensing Questions  
- [Free Copy of VMWorkstation When You Pass VCP Exam](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-copy-of-vmworkstation-when-you-pass-vcp-exam/): It’s been a while since I received my free copy of VMWorkstation for passing the VCP 3.0 certification exam. And, come to find out VMware gives a copy of VMware Workstation 7.1 when you pass the VCP 4.1 exam, $179 value. I used my copy to virtualize and run my old Windows XP and Vista desktops (the ones I used before I bought my new Windows 7 desktop). Just use the VMware VMconverter tool to P2V your old desktop straight to VMWorkstation – Bang! running Windows 7, Vista, and XP all on the same hardware. Run multiple operating systems at […]
- [Cloud.com is now part of Citrix Systems!](https://www.vbeginners.com/cloud-com-is-now-part-of-citrix-systems/): Today I got this email and it reminded me that I met with the owner of Cloud.com at VMWorld last year and asked him who would eventually own Cloud.com and CloudStack, I should have known since at the time XenSource was one of the only supported hypervisors. Dear Joe, Yesterday Cloud.com reached an important milestone in our company. We announced that we have been acquired by Citrix, a leading provider of virtualization and cloud computing solutions that enable companies to deliver IT as an on-demand service. We are thrilled as this is exciting news for Cloud.com and our customers. Not […]
- [VMware SWAP File Best Practice](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-vm-swap-file-best-practice/): Answering the question that always seems to get asked, “what is the best practice for the VMware SWAP file?” I’ve put this method through bench testing and found it to have the best performance, step by step for VMware SWAP file configuration is: Set up a data store in each ESXi cluster for guest SWAP files, see diagram to the right. (Do not use local ESX disks! This will save more expensive SAN storage but causes latency for DRS and vMotioning of VMs.) For each ESX host in the cluster, configure the SWAP to point to the SWAP data store. Go […]
- [Microsoft Hyper-V Debuts: Activate Your License](https://www.vbeginners.com/microsoft-hyper-v-debutes-for-28-per-server/): The long-awaited Microsoft Virtual Server dubbed Hyper-V has now been released. At $28 a license, versus $7, 000 – $14,00 for VMware ESX, it should be well received with the economy possibly suffering from a recession. Should you install Hyper-V instead of VMware VI? Let’s see, one of the many purposes of virtualization is to consolidate physical servers, especially those on old hardware that is out of warranty, to new hardware still in warranty. Granted VMware VI has quite a few whistles and bells such as HA, DRS, and vMotion but I’m sure Microsoft will soon be able to duplicate […]
- [ESX Swap File Size Best Practice](https://www.vbeginners.com/esx-swap-file-size-best-practice/): ESXi Swap File & VMFS Partitions (Revised on 5-18-12) Due to the changes with ESXi 5.0, please see the following links at VMware for current specifications on partitioning new installations of ESXi 5.0, or when upgrading to ESXi 5.0 from another version of ESXi. Another useful vBeginners post on the SWAP file topic can be found at: VMware SWAP File Best Practice Related ESXi Partition Sizing Post: I also found a great post on VirtuallyGhetto where William breaks down how to manually create VMFS 5 partition in ESXi 5. His post has step by step instructions and great screen shots. Read more… ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   Revised […]
- [Download Free VirtualBox Software (Build, Import, Clone, Snap, Share)](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-virtualbox-software/): Oracle VirtualBox Fast. Easy. Free. If you’re looking for a place to start messing around with virtual machines, then keep reading. And what you’ll learn is VirtualBox software is a popular free virtual machine program that you can download and install on Mac, Windows, or Linux. But the best part – you don’t have to be an expert to install and use it. All it takes is going to the download page (link is below), finding the right version for your desktop OS, and then downloading and running the install file. Don’t worry, I’ll share a VirtualBox tutorial video with you […]
- [Free VM Tool – ToutVirtual VirtualIQ Pro - Citrix, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle and/or VMware](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-vm-tool-toutvirtual-virtualiq-pro-citrix-microsoft-novell-oracle-andor-vmware/): Trilead VM Explorer – Free VM Tool – ToutVirtual VirtualIQ Pro – Citrix, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle and/or VMware >>> Download <<< Last week I wrote about Trilead VM Explorer software for managing VMware ESX and 3i hosts without vCenter, today I am writing about VirtualIQ Pro which looks like a similar product except VirtualIQ Pro is hypervisor-agnostic supporting both Type I and Type II hypervisors. Here’s what ToutVirtual says about their VirtualIQ Pro: Enterprise Benefits Compare and choose the right Hypervisor Compare and choose the right Hardware platform Plan for Host Capacity Plan for Virtual Machine Capacity Plan for Virtual Machine […]
- [Three Ways for Extending a VM's Disk](https://www.vbeginners.com/three-ways-for-extending-a-vms-disk/): Most new virtual servers are provisioned from templates that have 12 to 20 GB “C” disk so what do you do when you run out of space? Here are three methods that might work for you to increase the size of your virtual server’s disk. 1. Use VMconverter from VMware to clone the VM and change the size of the drive. 2. Build a Windows 2003 VM that can be used to mount the “C” drive VMDK of the target VM as an additional drive, then use the VM setting on the tool to increase the disk size. 3. Once […]
- [VMware P2V Checklist for Servers](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-p2v-checklist-for-servers/): In November I visited the VMware users group for the Phoenix area and one of the big topics was P2V Checklist. Not enough can be said about all the challenges there are to successfully convert physical servers into virtual servers (P2V), especially when your data center has hundreds of servers with various configurations and operating systems. Sometimes a P2V is done in about 30 minutes, while other times it’s almost impossible because of all the planning due to dependencies like databases, unsupported applications, unsupported operating systems, and finally unforeseen gotchas that happen. P2V Checklist Something I got from the VMUG […]
- [Virtual Machines Running or Registered on Multiple ESX Servers](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtual-machines-running-or-registered-on-multiple-esx-servers/): Does your vCenter flicker when browsing clusters? There could be a problem… Over the last 3 years I’ve seen this happen twice and both times it was not good. Both cases were caused by an HA event that was interrupted, which left multiple VMs registered on more than one host. Fortunately, the VM stays running and the fix does not cause an outage but it is intimidating having to “KILL” VM processes. HA being HA might have caused it and the KB below gives more causes and the solution. HA is a good thing to have enabled, but if your NOC is monitoring your VMs and […]
- [Free Tool - Trilead VM Explorer for ESX/ESXi](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-tool-trilead-vm-explorer-for-esxesxi/): VMware Backup Software Free Tool – Trilead VM Explorer for ESX/ESXi  Trial Download >>> Trilead VM Explorer <<< Trilead VM Explorer is a free (public beta) VM management tool that works on VMware ESX/ESXi. I haven’t had the time to install or evaluate VM Explorer but just going over the features, it looks like a worthwhile product for those shops that don’t have the budget for vCenter. VM Explorer allows admins to manage up to 5 hosts with the free version and there are a few features which really make it worth installing, image backups for example. Any one that reads […]
- [Free Tool - VKernel Search My VM](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-tool-vkernel-search-my-vm/): Good free tools for VMware VI are not easy to come by so I thought I would write a post about one I think may have some usefulness. It’s from VKernel and it’s called SearchMyVM. According to VKernel here are the benefits: FREE “Google–like” SearchMyVM tool Quickly find info in your VMware data center Gain more insight into your environment Save significant time The tool, like other VKernel downloads, comes already packaged as a VM that just needs to be imported into your VirtualCenter (vCenter or ESX). Once imported and booted, do a quick configuration and just open your browser […]
- [Demo Google Chrome OS Beta on a Virtual Machine](https://www.vbeginners.com/demo-google-chrome-os-beta-on-a-virtual-machine/):   My last blog was about installing Google LiveAndroid on a virtual machine (VM). Today I’m blogging about the release of Google Chrome OS beta which is easy to install on a VM using the ISO image. I downloaded the ISO image from Softpedia, created a new VM in VMware Player, mounted the ISO, and the OS boots right up. I haven’t had time to do a full install but this was good enough to demo Google Chrome OS. Download Link Google Chrome App Menu Screenshot   Demo Google Chrome OS Beta on a Virtual Machinevbeginners.com
- [How to Apply for a VMware Engineer Job](https://www.vbeginners.com/how-to-apply-for-a-vmware-engineer-job/): As the manager of a large virtual infrastructure, I’m always looking for excellent VMware talent for my team. Weekly I review resumes and to be honest – Some are good, some are bad, and some are just plain ugly! That’s why knowing how to apply for a VMware job is important for getting you past resume screeners. What gets my attention isn’t just the words: VMware, ESX, ESXi or VCP on resumes, but moreover when the job history has enough details to support someone as an experienced vEngineer (Virtualization Engineer), and not just a SysAdmin with some virtualization skills – vSysAdmin. (BTW, […]
- [VMware ESXTOP Commands for Storage Monitoring](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-esxtop-commands-for-storage-monitoring/): ESXTOP Commands Troubleshooting storage performance issues can be difficult. ESXTOP Command tool can help. Note: Alway check with your storage vendor for assistance before spending too much time trying to solve storage issues. The differences between NAS, NFS, SAN, iSCSI is enormous and requires expertise.   Command Strings and Switches I thought I’d post some useful CLI ESXTOP commands to help with monitoring storage for when you start having performance problems resulting from oversubscribed storage. 1. Monitor overall storage performance per HBA: esxtop d f b,c,d,e,h,j s,2 2. Monitor storage performance per LUN: * esxtop u f b,c,f,h s,2 3. […]
- [Best Fit Virtualization Criteria Checklist](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-fit-virtualization-criteria-checklist/): Finding servers which are the Best Fit virtualization candidates can be tricky. I have put together the following criteria checklist to help determine whether a new server provision or a P2V should use virtualization. The Best Fit checklist uses my own criteria and weight recommendations but it can be modified with more liberal values.  However, remember the “Best Fit” for virtualizing a server should always consider the user’s experience, too liberal will produce poor performance and complaining users. The “Best Fit” file has been attached for you to use it as-is or you can make your own.  Open file: best-fit-virtualization-criteria-checklist-vBeginners Best Fit […]
- [Creating Windows Templates for Deployment in Virtual Center](https://www.vbeginners.com/creating-windows-templates-deployment-virtual-center/): Creating Windows Templates This will cover Windows virtual machine templates but the same steps are used with Linux virtual machines, except the Sysprep. After you get your VM configured the way you want it, patches, secured, and have your applications installed, you right-click on it in the inventory window of your virtual center and select “Convert to the template”. Converting your “Golden” Windows or Linux server to a template will allow you to deploy new virtual servers from the template that will have a unique SID. Unlike a clone that is an identical copy of the original, which means it […]
- [My Microsoft Hyper-V and Virtual Machine Manager Event Key Notes](https://www.vbeginners.com/my-microsoft-hyper-v-and-virtual-machine-manager-event-key-notes/): Today I spent 4 hours listening to Microsoft technicians talk about Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), and System Center. Here are some of the keynotes I took about Hyper-V:   Licensing for Microsoft Server 2008 includes (1P + 1V) – This means you can have 1 physical Microsoft Server 2008 running Hyper-V and 1 virtual Microsoft Server 2008 running on the same hardware. Licensing for Microsoft Server 2008 Enterprise includes (1P + 4V) – This means you can have 1 physical Microsoft 2008 running Hyper-V and 4 virtual Microsoft Server 2008 running on the same hardware. Licensing for Microsoft Server […]
- [Squeezing Virtual Machines Out of CPU Cores](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtual-machines-per-core/): Are you trying to squeeze every CPU cycle out of your dual, quad, or hex core processors for making more VMs per core? Unfortunately for those who like to overclock CPUs for gaming, over utilizing CPU doesn’t quite work the same on virtual machine hosts (ESX/ESXi/XenServer or Hyper-V). How many Virtual Machines Per Core? From my experience, I know you can get anywhere from 8 – 10 vCPUs per core, but I have found a sweet spot of 4 VMs (that’s right I said VMs, not vCPUs) per core will provide decent performance for the user and not affect hardware […]
- [Capacity Planning and Monitoring for VMware Virtual Infrastructure](https://www.vbeginners.com/capacity-planning-and-monitoring-for-vmware-virtual-infrastructure/): If you have a growing Virtual Infrastructure, like most – it has outgrown the monitoring tools integrated into VirtualCenter. VC has very limited capability to help resource managers and NOCs monitor and manage virtuals and this post will identify a few shortfalls. There are actually three categories this post could be broken up into, and then sub-categories after that. But, I will identify the three main topics in my opinion we need VMware to provide an enterprise solution for: One – standard resource monitoring which will allow a NOC to monitor CPU, memory, drive space, etc. Yes, I know the VC can send […]
- [Zombie VMs Soon to be Hunted by vZombie](https://www.vbeginners.com/zombie-vms-soon-to-be-hunted-by-vzombie/): *** Note: Sorry this project has been discontinued.*** Yesterday I was working on a PowerShell script for identifying VMs that are using resources but their role is no longer required.Either because the server owner decided to use a physical server because the VM was not performing as required, or the duties of the VM are completed and the decommissioning process was somehow over looked. I came up with a concept and decided these VMs would be officially called “Zombies”. Then the name coined for my script “vZombie” was added. I was also lucky enough yesterday to register the domain vZombie […]
- [Troubleshooting ESX cluster and HA errors - DNS could be the problem!](https://www.vbeginners.com/troubleshooting-esx-cluster-and-ha-errors-dns-could-be-the-problem/): Has it been hours, or even days, since you started troubleshooting ESX cluster and HA errors? I can relate to this painful and tiring experience. Although, I could be just taking it for granted that everyone doing virtual infrastructure installations has the same problems and issues that I have run into, NOT! DNS Issues DNS issues seem to be the most common and overlooked solution while trying to resolve ESX cluster errors. Check the FQDN of all the hosts and also make sure all the host files, including the virtual center server have the same entries. Spell Check Check the […]
- [ESX iSCSI Connection to NetApp](https://www.vbeginners.com/esx-iscsi-connection-netapp/): When it comes to connecting ESX Server to NetApp storage, there are several ways: IP and Fiber, iSCSI and NFS. If your organization can afford FC, then you have a larger IT budget than most of us, so you should have IT staff trained to configure your LUN storage. However, for the rest of the tight budget IT department, iSCSI is the way to go. I’m not going to cover the iSCSI connection step-by-step but I will provide a checklist for making a successful connection. 1. Have your storage administrator create a: 1) volume 2) qtree 3) LUN (give it […]
- [Free Citrix XenServer or Free VMware ESXi (xenserver vs esxi)](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-citrix-xenserver-or-free-vmware-esxi/): Seems like a lot of people are comparing XenServer vs ESXi so I thought I’d update this post with new data. (revised 6/4/2012) In the blue corner what VMware has to say: Comparing VMware vSphere Hypervisor, Citrix XenServer, and Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V And in the red corner here’s what Citrix says, too: Technical and Commercial Comparison of Citrix XenServer and VMware vSphere Looks like we have a split decision that will quire you to test for yourself. Original Post I remember two years ago when XenServer (XenSource) used to come as a free package in some Linux distributions, then Citrix […]
- [Post P2V Guide: Step by Step Removing Ghost Hardware](https://www.vbeginners.com/p2v-step-by-step-removing-physical-hardware/): It’s been a while since I had to P2V a Windows server but recently I found myself on a project doing P2Vs of business critical servers, again. FYI: The new version of VMware VM Converter works great for converting a physical Windows and Linux server into a VM. Once the conversion is completed, the new VM is online, VMtools are installed and the video acceleration is set, here are a couple more steps I learned about at a VMUG meeting that I recommend doing to finish the P2V job. Removing Ghost Hardware for Best Performance First – Remove Old Physical Hardware from […]
- [vKernel CapacityVIEW is Free and Works!](https://www.vbeginners.com/vkernel-capacityview-is-free-and-works/): Yesterday I saw a demos of the vKernel CpacityVIEW tool that is a free download from vKernels website. It sums up some the more complete tool like Capacity Analyzer into one page. Which is a good thing if you ever use the Capacity Analyzer tool. Aside from the huge product links on the dashboard, it’s worth trying out.  (download) Capacity Alerting CapacityVIEW collects CPU, memory and storage allocations and utilization levels. It then analyzes this data to provide you with desktop Capacity alerts concerning: Virtual machine I/O Latency Under-provisioned memory, CPU, storage Low capacity for new deployments Over-provisioned memory, CPU, […]
- [Free Tool - Veeam FastSCP For ESX](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-tool-veeam-fastscp-for-esx-and-esxi/): So you just installed your first pair of VMware ESX or ESXi hosts and you’re wondering how you can move VM guest servers from host to host without vCenter. Well, here’s the answer – FastSCP. FastSCP lets you manage VM folders through a nice GUI interface. It’s not vCenter but it will do the job until you can get up-to-speed with vCenter. Here is what Veeam says about FastSCP: Single console – Multiple Windows, Linux, ESX and ESXi servers file management in a single console without re-entering logins and passwords, and automated sudo for ESX and Linux servers to save even […]
- [10 Biggies to Help Managers and Admins Avoid Virtualization Pitfalls](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtualization-pitfalls/): I wish this information had been available 10 years ago when I started working with virtualization, but then again, like many reading this, I thought I was an expert and didn’t need it. Now, I see myself as a student because of how fast virtualization changes.   Consider the Big Picture to Avoid These Virtualization Pitfalls 1. First and most importantly, look at the big picture for why you are implementing virtualization. Most managers look solely at VMware, XenServer, Hyper-V, or any other virtual server product for ROI (return on investment). Bad way to make IT decisions! Look at the […]
- [VMWorld 2009 was Really a Storage Conference](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmworld-2009-was-really-a-storage-conference/): I’ve mentioned this in a few of my blog posts over the years and here it is again – “Storage has been a major oversight by most companies deploying VMware Virtual Infrastructure”.  News Flash! This was confirmed at the recent 2009 VMWorld … What I’ve heard and read about VMWorld 2009 is that it was really a storage conference. Every storage vendor and his brother were there displaying and promoting storage products to help build better VI environments. And, from many of the emails I get, most visitors were really just interested in finding out what they can do to […]
- [Free Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-microsoft-hyper-v-server-2008/): Overview Microsoft® Hyper-V™ Server 2008 is a stand-alone product that provides a simplified, reliable, cost-effective, and optimized virtualization solution enabling organizations to improve server utilization and reduce costs. It allows organizations to consolidate workloads onto a single physical server and is a good solution for organizations who want a basic and simplified virtualization solution for consolidating servers as well as for development and test environments. Low utilization infrastructure workloads, departmental applications, and simple branch office workloads are also candidates to virtualize using Hyper-V Server 2008. System Requirements   Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2008 Note: Hyper-V Server 2008 is a […]
- [To V or Not to V is the Question?](https://www.vbeginners.com/to-v-or-not-to-v-is-the-question/): Buzz Word Has virtualization become a buzzword in your strategic plan? Take the advice from someone who has spent years supporting VMware in three different enterprise environments – think before you V. If all you plan is a small experimental cluster of virtual servers, it’s no big deal. The software is even free. VMware ESXi is the best way to go. But, remember, it’s only a seed for future growth. Growth will evolve into a nest of unexpected problems if you don’t think before you start to roll out ESXi hosts for your DEV, QA, and PROD environments. V is […]
- [Veeam Monitor Captures My Attention](https://www.vbeginners.com/veeam-monitor-captures-my-attention/): Veeam Monior is certainly the best monitoring software for VMware that I have ever evaluated. And, aside from it not being distributed as a virtual appliance, it’s worth the time for a simple install that requires a Windows server to host it. What’s Veeam Monitor’s Value? Want reports that are easy to customize and look professional, alerts that are meaningful, stats on disk latency and IOPS and graphs that say it all – Veeam Monitor can deliver them all. You won’t get unnecessary flash animation or colored arrows but you will get real-time data that will help manage and report your VMware Infrastructure […]
- [Naming Standard for Virtual Infrastructure](https://www.vbeginners.com/naming-standard-for-virtual-infrastructure/): Like a new mom and dad, have you been given any thought to what naming standards you plan to use for your new virtual environment? The reason I said naming standards is because you will probably have names for the VirtualCenter or VMM, datacenter, clusters, data stores (LUNs), ESX or Hyper-V host servers, VLAN tags, VM guests, user groups, alert rules and possibly few more services and roles. I kid you not – six months after you setup your virtual infrastructure it will dawn on you that you should have thought this out sooner! Uh, why did we call the […]
- [Not Ready for vSphere](https://www.vbeginners.com/not-ready-for-vsphere/): I’m not sure if anyone else feels the way I do about jumping on the vSphere bandwagon, however, I’ve decided to wait until 4.0 Update 1 is released before I consider the move. I’ve seen the sales pitches and demos but no evidence is enough to convince me to join the rush to upgrade, especially when I (and the guys I work with) have nearly 1000 VMs online running happy on ESX 3.5U4. We’ve gone through major pains to establish a single standard for hardware, software and storage which is guaranteed to provide a high level of performance and stability […]
- [How to Install VMware: Start with a vSphere Pre-installation Checklist](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-pre-installation-checklist/): Preparation, Documentation, Implementation, Celebration! A vSphere installation and setup is not complicated but does require proper planning if you want a cloud solution that will be robust and scalable. So after your design sessions or workshops with stakeholders from other technology teams are completed, and you have a design ready for implementation, the next item needed is preparation. Note: Meetings with storage and network teams in the beginning are crucial to long term scalability and stability of your vSphere. This is where most VMware Engineers fail. Don’t try to do it alone, get support and buy-in from key people on other […]
- [VMware Infrastructure Toolkit - PowerShell Scripting](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-infrastructure-toolkit-powershell-scripting/): Managing VMware Infrastructure with Scripts Managing VMware Infrastructure with Scripts can streamline and automate various tasks. By utilizing PowerShell software, administrators can efficiently perform tasks such as provisioning VMs, configuring networking, and troubleshooting issues. The ability to write and execute scripts can greatly enhance the management of VMware infrastructure, saving time and reducing manual errors. Microsoft PowerShell scripting is a must-know for supporting VMware. After spending days evaluating products that would report virtual infrastructure capacity to my liking and that were affordable, I opted to write my own reporting and capacity planning application using PowerShell scripts and Excel.  Using PowerGUI […]
- [VMware Lab Manager 3.0 Requires VirtualCenter](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-lab-manager-3-requires-virtualcenter/): After spending a week on what should have been an easy project to designing a student lab environment at a well known online university, I am now stumped because of a change in VMware’s Lab Manager 3.0 requirements. Lab Manager 3.0 now requires VirtualCenter which poses a problem because this lab environment is isolated for security reasons away from the administration and production network. In previous Lab Manager installs, I’ve just setup an ESX host, configured a VM with Windows Server 2003, installed the Lab Manager software and added the host servers for the lab environment. No VirtualCenter was required and it worked perfect on […]
- [Great Virtualization Websites & VMware Blogs on vSphere Cloud](https://www.vbeginners.com/great-websites-and-blogs-for-vmware-and-other-virtualization-support/): Virtualization Websites Today I did a Google search to see how many people like myself have started a blog or website to discuss or support virtualization (VMware vSphere, Virtual Iron, Cloudstack, etc). And I was surprised to find so many cool VMware Blog websites with catchy names. VMware Blog Reviews 1. Take this name for example www.vmwarewolf.com. Visiting the site I found quite a few posts on troubleshooting VMware, especially ESX. Lots of information on the old “ESX random disconnect from VirtualCenter” issue. At the top of the Google, search list was VMware’s own support community. If you support VMware […]
- [VMware Infrastructure 3 Demo Video by VMware](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-infrastructure-3-demo-video-by-vmware/): This video shows a demo of VI 3 which is an older version of VI but the video demonstrates most of the features of VI such as: VirtualCenter, HA, DRS, vMotion which are included in VI 3.5.
- [Google LiveAndroid OS Runs On Virtual Machine](https://www.vbeginners.com/google-liveandroid-os-runs-on-virtual-machine/): Google LiveAndroid OS Runs On Virtual Machine With all the recent buzz going on about Google’s New Android cell phones, I thought it would be worthwhile to blog this on vbeginners.com. If you’re a techie who likes to spend time testing which operating systems they can get to run on a VM. I found that Google has a version of its popular Android OS that is called LiveAndroid. You download the ISO then you can boot your PC from it or create a VM. The picture shown is LiveAndroid running on VMware Player but it’s been tested on VirtualBox, too. LiveAndroid […]
- [Managing Virtual Infrastructure 101](https://www.vbeginners.com/managing-virtual-infrastructure-101/): Managing Virtual Infrastructure To begin, this post has nothing to do with the nuts and bolts of installing, configuring or supporting VMware or any other virtual infrastructure. It’s about managing virtual infrastructure and building a solid team of admins and engineers to keep it alive. Back in 2009, I wrote 10 Biggies to Help Managers and Admins Avoid Virtualization Pit-Falls and since then not much has gotten better or changed. Managing virtual infrastructure is not for the faint of heart. It takes creativity, determination and a kick-ass team… For the IT manager who has been given the new job of taking over management […]
- [ASUS ROG NUC Mini PC for Gaming (Information)](https://www.vbeginners.com/rog-nuc/): The Ultimate Compact Gaming PC This mini PC is designed to deliver superior performance and seamless multitasking, thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 9/7 processor and NVIDIA RTX 4070/4060 graphics. With a 2.5-liter chassis and a customizable backlit ROG panel with RGB lighting and logo, the ROG NUC is a stylish and functional addition to your gaming setup. Key Takeaways The ROG NUC is a mini PC that delivers superior performance and seamless multitasking for gamers. With a 2.5-liter chassis and a customizable backlit ROG panel with RGB lighting and logo, the ROG NUC is a stylish and functional addition […]
- [Intel NUC Features: Compact, Powerful, Versatile](https://www.vbeginners.com/intel-nuc-features/): Discover The NUC’s Mighty Features Explore how this Mini PC packs a punch for all your computing needs. In this article, we’ll review Intel NUC features and capabilities, highlighting its compact size, versatile performance options, wide range of connectivity ports, and upgradeability. A compact yet powerful computing solution is essential in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an IT professional, a system builder, a small business owner, or a home user, finding the right mini PC that meets your specific needs can be a challenge. Overview of Intel NUC Features The Intel NUC is a small form […]
- [Intel NUC Troubleshooting: Solve Common Issues](https://www.vbeginners.com/intel-nuc-troubleshooting/): This review guide is to help you with Intel NUC troubleshooting. In my experience managing a NUC homelab for virtualization, these mini-PCs are like any computer regarding hardware and software issues. When your Intel NUC is not functioning correctly, troubleshooting can be frustrating and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to identify and resolve common issues. The first step in troubleshooting an Intel NUC is to identify the issue. This can be done by observing the symptoms and error messages, checking the connections, and running diagnostic tests. Once you have identified the issue, you can take steps […]
- [Intel NUC Uses: Mini PC for Diverse Applications](https://www.vbeginners.com/intel-nuc-uses/): This review guide is about Intel NUC uses, applications, and possible ways to get the most value out of this small PC. In my experience, Intel NUCs, or Next Unit of Computing, are small form-factor computers that pack a punch despite their size. These devices are extremely versatile and can be used for various purposes, from personal computing to multimedia and gaming applications. The compactness of the NUC makes it an ideal solution for those who want a powerful computer that doesn’t take up much space. The NUC is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a personal computing solution […]
- [Intel NUC Setup Guide: Installing Windows 11](https://www.vbeginners.com/intel-nuc-setup-guide/): This Intel NUC Setup Guide will show you how to set up your NUC and install Windows 11 for the first time. Over the years, I’ve spent many hours setting up PCs, laptops, and NUCs for home labs, entertainment, gaming, and workstations. To get started, you’ll need to get the hardware ready, then connect your Intel NUC to a power source, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Once you’ve done that, you’ll install your operating system and any necessary drivers. From there, you can customize your setup to fit your needs. In this article, we’ll walk you through setting up your Intel […]
- [Best NUC for Virtualization: Easy Homelab](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-nuc-for-virtualization/): Introduction to Intel NUC NUC (A.K.A. Nuke) stands for Next Unit of Computing… It is a small, powerful, and efficient computer that can be used for various purposes, including as a virtualization server. There are many different types of NUCs out there, but when it comes to virtualization, which one is the best for a homelab? Some people might say that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question and that the best NUC for virtualization will vary depending on your specific needs and requirements. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the NUC so great for virtualization and […]
- [Best Ethernet Cables for Hypervisor Servers](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-ethernet-cables-for-hypervisor-servers/): Struggling to keep your servers up and running? You’re not alone. A lot of businesses struggle with server crashes, especially during the busiest times of the day. But don’t worry – we have the solution for you. You’re about to find out about the best ethernet cables specifically designed for ESXi hosts. Introduction to Ethernet Cables Network cables are the unsung hero of network communication. They’re the little things that make sure your data is transferred and received in its entirety, with no interference or disruption. Ethernet cables have been around for years, and ESXi hosts have specific needs that […]
- [What Are The Main Components Of VMware vSphere? (Quick Overview For Beginners)](https://www.vbeginners.com/main-components-of-vmware-vsphere/): Introduction to VMware vSphere Components for Beginners Welcome to this quick guide about vSphere components. VMware vSphere is a virtual machine software product of VMware, Inc. It makes virtualization possible by allowing multiple operating systems (OSs) to run on the same physical computer. Below you’ll learn about many of the components included in the vSphere Cloud platform. Let’s start with a quick video. Video Training – VMware Overview Complete VMware vSphere Video Training courses. What are the main components of VMware vSphere? VMware vSphere is a platform for the creation of private and public clouds. It’s composed of five main […]
- [What is a Pizza Box Server?](https://www.vbeginners.com/what-is-a-pizza-box-server/): Introduction to Pizza Box Servers A pizza box server is a type of computer server that is enclosed in a 1U pizza box-style case. Pizza boxes are popular because they are cheaper and smaller than full-size server hardware alternatives, and they use less power. They are also easier to move around than larger 2U- 4U servers. (BTW, an RU is a rack unit which is also known as a U) Depending on the size of your data center racks/cabinets, they can be stacked 30 – 40 servers per rack as long as you have enough power and network switch ports. […]
- [Are Refurb Servers Worth It for ESXi?](https://www.vbeginners.com/refurb-servers/): Introduction to Refurbished Server “Refurbs” Hardware for Beginners Refurbished servers are second-hand, pre-owned, and salvaged IT server computers. A Refurb server might include new parts, but as a normal practice, they are tested, cleaned, serviced, and in many cases certified before resale. This is a great option for businesses or organizations that have a tight budget and want to get the most out of their technology. Are Refurb Servers Worth It? Refurb servers can provide your business or organization with a great way to save money on IT costs, while still getting a reliable and high-functioning server. Also, many resellers […]
- [What is Whitebox Server Hardware? A.K.A. White Boxes](https://www.vbeginners.com/what-is-whitebox-server-hardware/): Introduction to Whitebox Server Hardware Whitebox servers are changing the way organizations manage their IT infrastructure. They offer a cost-effective enterprise solution for companies that have traditionally relied on proprietary server vendors or OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for server needs i.e., HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Cisco. What is whitebox server hardware? Whitebox servers are a type of server that is designed to be configurable and flexible, allowing companies to quickly adapt their infrastructure. Also known as “Custom-built White Boxes or White Box Hardware,” they have been used in the past by major internet providers such as Facebook and Google. And […]
- [How to Reset CMOS on a PC](https://www.vbeginners.com/how-to-reset-cmos-on-a-pc/): Intro to Resetting the CMOS Resetting the CMOS is an important step to take when troubleshooting your computer. The easiest way to reset the CMOS is by turning off your power supply for about 10-15 minutes and then turning it back on. If this does not work, try removing the battery from your motherboard for about 5-10 minutes before putting it back in. And if neither of these steps works then follow the guide below. How to reset CMOS on a PC Resetting the CMOS on a PC is not as difficult as it may sound. It can be done […]
- [How to Replace the CMOS Battery on Your PC](https://www.vbeginners.com/how-to-replace-the-cmos-battery-on-your-pc/): Intro to CMOS Battery Replacement When it comes to replacing the CMOS battery in your desktop computer, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to locate it on your motherboard. It’s usually located near one of your hard drive bays or underneath your CPU. Once you’ve found it, remove any screws that are holding it in place and then pull it out with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Next, install the new CMOS battery by pressing firmly onto its connectors until it’s firmly in place. Screw it back in, and you’re good to […]
- [How To Enable Virtualization In the BIOS](https://www.vbeginners.com/how-to-enable-virtualization-in-the-bios/): Introduction to VT-x or AMD-V for Beginners This simple guide will provide a training lesson on enabling virtualization in the BIOS. How To Enable Virtualization In the BIOS In order to enable virtualization in the system BIOS, you’ll first need to enter the BIOS settings. Steps to Enter the BIOS #1. To do this, restart your computer and press the key that corresponds with the BIOS settings menu while it boots up. #2. This will vary depending on your computer but is typically one of the F1-F12 keys. #3. Once you are in the BIOS settings menu, look for the […]
- [Server Memory for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/server-memory/): Introduction Server memory is a specialized type of computer memory that is used in servers. Servers are high-powered computer systems that are used to run and manage network applications. Important Takeaways: Server memory helps applications run faster and smoother by providing a place for them to store data temporarily. Server memory has an important role in running any type of network application, but it is most commonly associated with databases because they require large quantities of server memory to operate efficiently. Server Memory Training: What You Should Know The following guide will provide you with some basic information about server […]
- [Introduction to Virtual Machines for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/introduction-to-virtual-machines/): Virtual Machine Basics We’ve got a lot to cover with you in this lesson, so buckle up. First, we’ll begin with easy basic questions to warm up your brain cells. Second, you’ll see a comprehensive FAQ that lists the 17 top asked questions (with answers) about virtual machines. When you’re done, you’ll know more than most sysadmins do about how VMs work. Third, we’ll help you scale up your VM skills to the next level one step at a time… Let’s get going… What is a Virtual Machine? x86-64 virtual machines have been around since about 1998. Prior to VMs, […]
- [Network Attached Storage (NAS) Explained](https://www.vbeginners.com/network-attached-storage-nas/): In this guide for beginners, we’re going to look at network-attached storage (NAS). It acts as a dedicated file-level architecture type storage device that can be accessed by multiple users on a given network — essentially a networked hard drive. Data is vital to companies throughout the world, as competitiveness is increasing and the shift towards digitally enhanced services quickens. Without access to data, a business can be left behind due to losses in sales, slow completion of projects, and sub-standard customer service. This is partly where NAS steps in as a place to store data privately on a network. […]
- [What is a Computer Motherboard?](https://www.vbeginners.com/computer-motherboard/): Next to the CPU and graphics card (GPU), the computer motherboard (MB) is the most important and expensive part of the computer. Nowadays, manufacturers use colorful cool designs to make their MBs more attractive to consumers. In this guide about motherboards, we will cover the basics for beginners. Introduction: Let’s start with the material a motherboard is made from. Motherboards are printed circuit boards (PCBs) that serve as the main electrical and mechanical connection for all of the other components of the system. The fact of it being a “printed circuit board” gives you an idea of exactly what makes […]
- [Central Processing Unit (CPU): Beginner's Guide](https://www.vbeginners.com/central-processing-unit-cpu/): Let’s begin with a little CPU history. Nowadays, you can’t mention CPUs without talking about Gordon Moore. Gordon Moore Gordon Moore was an American electrical engineer who co-founded Intel Corporation and is best known for Moore’s Law, which states that the number of transistors in a chip will double every two years. It also says that this doubling will somehow make computers faster and more efficient as time goes on! A Beginner’s Guide: Central Processing Unit (CPU) This guide will go over what a CPU does and what it is made up of, as well as a few other details […]
- [Computer Hardware for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/computer-hardware/): Computers would not be able to function without computer hardware. This physical equipment, which includes everything from the central processing unit to the keyboard and monitor, is responsible for inputting, outputting, and processing information. There are many different components that makeup computer hardware, and each one has its own unique function. Computer Hardware: Beginner’s Guide In this guide for beginners, we will cover all the major computer components found in laptops, desktops, and powerful server computers. While all of these components are important, some are more essential than others. The CPU, for example, is the backbone of a computer system […]
- [Home Lab Server Guide: Built To Power Your Personal VM Cloud](https://www.vbeginners.com/home-lab-server/): Home Lab Server Guide How to POWER your virtual machine test environment with a personal cloud… This vBeginners guide will discuss the parts needed to build a home lab VM server for hosting multiple virtual machines. We’ll cover hardware parts like CPU, motherboard, storage options, and operating systems so you can make the best decision for your needs. The best way to get started is by getting the powerful hardware that suits your needs. For a good home server lab that can work as a personal cloud and handle your testing and training needs, you’ll need a powerful machine that […]
- [Best PC for Virtualization: 15 Desktop & Laptop Alternatives](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-pc-for-virtual-machines/): Best PC for Virtual Machines How to choose a POWERFUL Pre-built PC for your VM lab environment… You might not know it, but there are top brand PCs great for running multiple virtual machines, and there are duds! We’ll avoid the duds and focus on the best desktops and laptops that can run your virtual machines easily. In this vBeginners guide, we’ll show you what you’ll need to know before buying a PC for running virtual machines. What’s Your Use Case? We all want a Powerful PC with lots of memory and SSD storage space, but there’s more to high […]
- [What is a Hybrid Cloud?](https://www.vbeginners.com/what-is-a-hybrid-cloud/): A hybrid cloud is basically an on-premise infrastructure integrated with one or more cloud services. Easy, right? Here’s a quick summary told in an action-packed story by Joe. Innovate Or Be Left Behind Once upon a time – around 2005ish. There was a huge disruption. It began with hoards of people jumping on the fast-moving VMware.com bandwagon and virtualizing server infrastructure (I was one of them). First, we installed the GSX hypervisor on Windows to build VMs. But GSX was quickly replaced with ESX (Linux Hosted). And then ESX turned into ESXi and vSphere. Virtualization was a great new technology […]
- [3 Tough Citrix XenApp Interview Questions for Hiring Skilled Administrators](https://www.vbeginners.com/citrix-xenapp-interview-questions/): These 3 Tough Citrix XenApp Interview Questions are designed to help determine the level of hands-on experience someone has as a XenApp administrator. Intro: In all my years of interviewing, I’ve hired nearly a hundred systems administrators in jobs to manage and support VMware Hybrid Cloud, Linux, Windows, Databases, Backups, Storage, Networking, and Citrix. And to be honest, a few of my hires have not turned out very well. Although over the years I’ve improved my odds tremendously and have learned to cut my losses by asking better interview questions. Many of which are shared on vBeginners for you to […]
- [3 Scrum Master Interview Questions That Guarantee You Get Dev Project Results](https://www.vbeginners.com/scrum-master-interview-questions/): The Scrum Master Interview Questions in this guide are meant to help you find people for your team who deliver results… Intro: After more than 25 years in IT, and a lot of missed deadlines, I know the value of getting things done fast and right. For me, there are very few things in IT more demoralizing than a project that has dragged on longer than a bad Nicolas Cage Movie. And worst yet – it still has no end in sight! I want to help you avoid this problem. Use these interview questions to make your life easier. My […]
- [Best Books To Learn Network Security: 10 Alternatives for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-book-to-learn-network-security/): Learn Cyber Security… Look, you don’t need to be a network security engineer to protect your home WIFI when the best book to learn network security will teach you the basics of how to protect yourself from intruders. What is Network Security? Network security is the process of protecting networks from unauthorized access. This can be done by implementing security measures in protocols, operating systems, network devices, and applications. How to get started with network security? The good news is network security books are a great way to learn how to protect your network. A good network security book will […]
- [The Best Cloud Computing Books (Updated)](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-cloud-computing-books/): Master The Cloud Look, whether you’re looking for the best cloud computing books to further your career. Or you need help solving a complex problem that nobody seems to know the answer to… Get this: The list of cloud books below can help you master the right skills. We know it’s not easy to understand cloud computing concepts, technology & architecture which is why this guide exists. Each cloud service provider has their own unique offering and challenges. And probably the hardest part is keeping up because they’re always changing. That’s exactly why this list of cloud books is always updating… […]
- [The Best Tower Server for Small Business (Virtualize Using Hyper-V)](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-tower-server-for-small-business/): Speed Up Slow Apps with a POWERFUL Server There was a time when building your own small business server was the way to go… And the best tower server for small businesses was a matter of piecing together the right computer parts. Back then, I’d go online to Amazon and order a bunch of tower cases, motherboards, CPUs, memory, and hard drives – then I’d custom build or upgrade my customer’s server. I recall one time building 3 tower servers at the same time and having all the parts laid out on my kitchen table… But then one day, all that changed and I […]
- [10 Best Docker Books for Beginners to Learn Containers](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-docker-books/): 10 Best Selling Docker Books (Updated Daily) The list of Docker books below is for beginners and advanced sysadmins and engineers. BONUS: Before you leave here are some important statistics for you… If you here looking for the best Docker book to study to future proof your skills – that’s a good idea. Here’s why… Docker statistics show that we can expect container technology growth to continue unabated. In fact, global revenue for containers and container-related technologies is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 18%, reaching $13.7 billion in 2022. And this doesn’t even account for other […]
- [Best No & Low Code App Builder Alternatives (Zoho, Kissflow, Bubble)](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-no-code-app-builder/): Listen, if you’re searching for the best no code app builder alternatives for visual development you’ve found help… Here’s why: A while back I had an idea for an app but I was stuck because I’m not a developer. Sure, I can hack HTML, CSS, and Php for WordPress but when it comes to creating 100s of lines of code for an app, I’m lost. So I did what most people with an idea for an app do, I started Googling all the different phrases that I thought would help me to find a way to create a web app […]
- [Best Low Cost IT Courses Online for Beginners to Learn High Paying Technical Skills (Start Your Training Today!)](https://www.vbeginners.com/it-courses-online-for-beginners/): Do you want a simple guide for the best IT online courses for beginners? If that’s what you’re searching for then you’re in the right place. Now, let’s get straight to the point… The choices for online technical training are overwhelming! Let me solve that problem. My choice is Udemy. Don’t get me wrong, the others are very good, too. And have their place. But when it comes to IT training for beginners, Udemy trainers seem to have more up-to-date experience. That matters a lot to me. Who else wants to… Learn at your own pace – There’s no need […]
- [How to Avoid My Newbie Mistake & Quickly Get the IT Job You Want (3 Easy Steps)](https://www.vbeginners.com/how-to-get-the-job-you-want/): We’ve all been there… Years ago, I can remember how awful I felt when I was passed up for a systems administrator job. I’d been working at the Northrop Grumman help desk for a couple of years and felt I was ready for the next step in my IT career. So when a junior helpdesk guy who worked on my team was selected over me, I was devastated. What did this guy have that I didn’t? Then I found out he’d been to a couple of training courses on Windows Server that I hadn’t gone to because I was too […]
- [Nutanix Software: Find Out If Hyper Converged Infrastructure Is All Hype](https://www.vbeginners.com/nutanix-software/): Small. Fast. Smart. Hey, thanks for dropping in… If you’re looking for information about Nutanix Software or hyper-converged infrastructure, this guide will help you. We’ll cover topics for: IT Managers doing research for your next data center project. SysAdmins surfing the Internet for Nutanix resources. Anyone curious who loves innovative new trends. You’re in the right place, let’s get started… Is Hyper-Converged all Hype? As a small, medium, large business or startup, the last thing you want to compromise on is infrastructure. But luckily, gone are the days when you have to invest in massive server and storage farms for […]
- [Shift to the Cloud – Will It Shift the Jobs by Danish Wadhwa](https://www.vbeginners.com/shift-to-the-cloud/): Editor’s note: Danish Wadhwa is a strategic thinker and an IT Pro. With more than six years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he is more than a results-driven individual. Danish is well-versed in providing high-end technical support, optimizing sales, and automating tools to stimulate productivity for businesses. 7 Cloud Trends to Embrace or Fear It’s Time for a Career Strategy If you watch trends, then you’ve noticed that many of today’s most prominent organizations are migrating their business to the cloud. Why is this happening? Well, enterprise cloud providers such as Azure, Google, and Amazon offer small to large […]
- [VULTR Virtual Server Review: Compare 4 VM Powered VPS Alternatives](https://www.vbeginners.com/vultr-review-and-comparison/): VULTR Virtual Server vs DigitalOcean vs Linode vs Cloudways If you’re wondering if a virtual private server is a good alternative for replacing your costly shared hosting or cloud provider, then you’re in the right place! That’s right… Because this VULTR Virtual Server Review goes into the details of my extensive testing (prices are subject to change without notice): The Ease of Use (What’s the sign-up and navigation of the VULTR platform like?) Platform Features (What’s offered once you have created an account?) Cloud Services Offered (Does VULTR offer more than just VPS?) Pricing for VPS Instances (Does VPS pricing […]
- [Best Website to Use for Small Business Owners (How To Guide for Beginners)](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-website-platform-small-business/): Does Your Small Business Need a Website? This how to guide has a slight twist from my usual high-tech training, but it’s still relevant to my ultimate mission of teaching how to focus on “great” customer experience. I’m Joe, the owner of  vbeginners.com, and I’ve been managing websites for 20 years. If you’re confused with all the website hosting options to choose from this how to guide will help you. I’ll teach you step by step how to choose and set up the best website to use for small business owners. Here’s another example of a website where I’ve been […]
- [What's So Interesting About Woz U?](https://www.vbeginners.com/woz-u/): On 10/12/2017, I had the privilege of attending the AZ Tech Summit sponsored by DesTechAZ at The Camelback Inn. The highlight of the night was Steve Wozniak’s big announcement about Woz U Academy… I live in the Phoenix West Valley (City of Litchfield Park), so for me, it was a drive across town during rush hour to hear the news. But honestly, I would have driven through San Fransisco traffic to be there. The event started at 5 PM, and I showed up at 4:15 just in time to get a great parking spot and walk in to watch Steve […]
- [Best Book On DevOps for Beginners Who Want Fast Results](https://www.vbeginners.com/bestselling-devops-books/): Books about DevOps (Updated Daily) Books about DevOps Tools (Updated Daily)   We also recommend reviewing our list of the Bestseller VMware Books & Cloud Computing Books to further your technical skills and job opportunities. Please bookmark this page and share it with your friends and co-workers.
- [10 Best VMware Books for Beginners (Master vSphere ESXi 7.x & 8.x)](https://www.vbeginners.com/bestselling-vmware-books/):   Best VMware Books (List Updates Daily) 👀 Best Books about Virtualization (List Updates Daily) People also asked: We also recommend reviewing our list of the Bestseller DevOps Books to further your technical skills or review VMware jobs near you. Please bookmark and share this page with your friends and co-workers.
- [Best VMware Online Video Training - vSphere Virtualization](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-vmware-training-for-beginners/): Learning VMware vSphere from Anywhere (Updated to version 6.7 – 7.x) Are you looking for a better job – something more interesting to do with your life? In the VMware vSphere Training below, you’ll learn the valuable skills required for real VMware jobs. And because it’s online you can save time and focus on what really matters. With this training, you can accelerate your career by jumping ahead of the competition. If you noticed the graph below, entry-level salary ranges for VMware Admins continue going up. But don’t wait! Get started with step-by-step videos that will quickly develop your vSphere […]
- [Finding The Best vSphere Backup Replacement For VDP (3 Alternatives)](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-data-protection-backup-alternatives/): Important Notification: vSphere Data Protection (VDP) End of Availability (EOA) That was the subject line of a VMware email someone forwarded to me last week… To say the least, this is disappointing since it’s taken about 2 years of tuning and tweaking to get VDP stable and reliable. Not to mention the servers and storage purchased for the VDP solution. But that’s life in IT, right? Things are always changing and in a few days, this will be old news… Here’s the first part of the email if you haven’t seen it (don’t worry the second half is down below): I […]
- [15 Tough Storage Interview Questions That Reveal Crucial Storage Engineer Skills](https://www.vbeginners.com/storage-engineer-skills/): Important Skills that Matter… In a moment, we’ll get to the tough storage interview questions. And as a bonus, we’re going to deep dive into 3 secret storage engineer skills. Here’s why you should stick around until the end… Because it takes more than technical skills to do the job right. Imagine this – behind every successful business is data, lots of data. And behind all that data are massive amounts of storage in various formats and configurations. Pick any of the more recent success stories: Airbnb, Uber, SpaceX, and you’ll find there are petabytes of data constantly getting crunched […]
- [30+ Awesome Virtual Reality Jobs That Take You From Boring To Amazing! (Must Read...)](https://www.vbeginners.com/jobs-in-virtual-reality/): OK, I admit I’ve been playing around with Virtual Reality, A.K.A. VR. Yup, I’m guilty as charged. But after listening to Tony Robbins hype-up VR on his podcast, I couldn’t help myself. Don’t worry, I’ll share the link to the podcast in a minute…. Spoiler Alert A new IT Job Trend is coming! Listen: You know how I love sharing news about new job trends I see coming. Well, I wanted to be the first to tell you that VR is going to be huge. There will likely be 100s of new gizmos and 1000s of uses for VR that […]
- [WordPress Speed Optimization: How To Rank Higher In Google](https://www.vbeginners.com/wordpress-speed-optimization/): This lesson is going to be a quick and dirty update to my VPS Series. What we’re going to cover is how to perform WordPress speed optimization after moving from basic hosting to a virtual private server. We’ll discuss a couple of free WordPress plugin I used and the Udemy WordPress training I followed for this how to lesson. Part #4 – Optimizing WordPress It’s been 7 months now since vBeginners has been running on CloudWays with a DigitalOcean VPS. And at this time (knock on wood), I’m comfortable saying my WordPress is optimized. But a lot has happened since […]
- [What is the Best VPS for WordPress? Pick a Virtual Private Server Provider and Test...](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-vps/): Move WordPress off slow shared hosting before your renewal… Let’s start with a peek under the hood of my new VPS (all this for $5 per month/$7 per month): 1 CPU 512 Memory 20 GB SSD Storage Tier-1 Bandwidth KVM Virtualization Memcache Varnish Nginx LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, Php) Sweet, right? Now let’s get going with this case study. VPS Case Study What you are about to see may be alarming so let me begin by saying my intentions are not to bash my former hosting provider (iPage). However, the data will show for itself it was getting pretty bad […]
- [30 Linux Interview Questions (Read Now)](https://www.vbeginners.com/linux-interview-questions/): Employers are Hungrier than Ever for Linux Admins Did you know it’s the year of the Linux Admin? That’s what a report from Dice says. Dice also thinks a whopping 97% of IT Managers are still interviewing Linux admins. You know: I agree with Dice about 2015… …but I also see the Linux Wave growing more in 20xx. Especially if you are recruiting talent for cloud projects or DevOps. In the next few minutes, I’m going to share what I’ve learned over the last 2 years while interviewing and hiring 3 DevOps Engineers and 2 Linux Admins. But first, let me […]
- [White Box Storage - 100% Alternative to Expensive NAS & SAN (Perfect for SMB)](https://www.vbeginners.com/white-box-storage/): A Data Storage Server that’s GOOD for the Home Office and the Small to Medium Size Business As I begin this report, I think you’ll agree with me when I say there’s never enough storage on hand for backups, archives, file shares, and virtualization, right? If you relate, then I’d like to share with you that ever since I unboxed a QNAP, I’ve been obsessed with how amazing this white box storage solution is. Here’s why: The QNAP Turbo NAS is simple to use, feature-rich, and it’ll save you $1000s. But there’s a lot more to this big brand alternative… […]
- [Cloudways Review: Pros/Cons, Benefits, Pricing, Options, Q&A for You](https://www.vbeginners.com/cloudways-review/): cPanel alternative: Cloudways vs ServerPilot I’ve been looking for a new hosting solution for vbeginners.com and I thought I would share my research in a series of proof of concepts… This is part 2 of my Cloudways review and it explains how their platform is an alternative to cPanel and ServerPilot. Enjoy! Cloudways Review: Before we dig into this review let me quickly give you a recap of how my other test (Part 1) is going with ServerPilot + DigitalOcean + WordPress. Here’s what I tested and reviewed: Creating a DigitalOcean account and server droplet. Creating a ServerPilot account and linking […]
- [How to Install WordPress on DigitalOcean Using ServerPilot](https://www.vbeginners.com/wordpress-digitalocean-serverpilot-beginner-guide/): How to install WordPress on a cloud server like a Pro and cut seconds off Page Load time in the process. My shared WordPress hosting has really been a problem lately so I’ve decided to replace it with a dedicated virtual private server (VPS). This is part 1 of a 3 part series of posts I’ve written to share my experience choosing a VPS for vbeginners.com. Let’s go… ServerPilot Review: Before we dive in let’s review who should use this guide: Are you a small business owner who wants a low-cost website platform that is also easy to manage? Are […]
- [How Listening to the David Linthicum Cloud Podcast Turned into a Goldmine of Cloud & DevOps Job Opportunities](https://www.vbeginners.com/david-linthicum-cloud-computing-podcast-more-than-talk/): Wow, you’re going to love this! I recently listened to the David Linthicum Cloud Computing Podcast where David was interviewing Gene Kim; you know Gene the guy who wrote The Phoenix Project DevOps Book? Anyways, I’d never heard of David before now so after listening to the podcast I decided to check the CloudTP.com website and what I found was a goldmine of like-minded professionals who love what I love: Technology, Cloud, and DevOps. Also recommended for you are these best books on DevOps that get updated daily… Why am I telling you this? At Virtual Machine Install, my goal is […]
- [25 Tough & Technical VMware Interview Questions and Answers (PDF Download)](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-interview-questions-and-answers/): Free VMware vSphere Interview Guide In this free vBeginners guide, I’ll share a list of 25 VMware interview questions and answers that I’ve crafted to screen for the best technical talent to manage and support VMware vSphere. Now let’s get back to our guide about vSphere interview questions… Why is my list any different from the hundreds of others on the web? Well, first of all, it’s not a VCP test brain dump… Secondly, these interview questions are carefully crafted to narrow the talent pool to the most qualified, not the most memorized. These interview questions require hands on experience […]
- [VMware Project Photon: Technical Review for Linux Admins](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-project-photon-review/): My quick and dirty review of Project Photon. I was very happy to read this week on virtualization news about a new project from VMware called Project Photon. Why was I happy? Well, because a couple of posts back I wrote about why VMware admins should learn OpenStack. And how Linux admins don’t prefer vSphere. I don’t have any proof to support my assumption except for my experience working with Linux Admins and hearing their complaints. When I saw Project Photon I smiled because I thought I just might be on-target about a Linux admin disconnect with VMware... I’m sure most VMware […]
- [VMware Jobs in Phoenix Arizona (Comparing Opportunities)](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-jobs-in-phoenix-arizona/): Not All VMware Jobs Are The Same! In 2000, I got my first request to install VMware software on someone’s desktop. At the time I was a curious help desk technician for Northrup Grumman in Yuma, Arizona. After the installation, I recall how fascinated my 2 coworkers and I were by this new technology that let multiple operating systems run on the same hardware. My, how things have changed. Now I live and work in Phoenix, Arizona, manage vSphere engineers, and from those simple days 15 years ago I never would have guessed VMware would be what it is today. […]
- [10 Reasons VMware Admins Should Boost OpenStack Skills](https://www.vbeginners.com/openstack-skills/): If you’ve been following my blog for any time, or if you’ve downloaded my free VMware beginner’s guide, then you probably know where I stand on OpenStack. If not, here it is, I think OpenStack is awesome! With that said, I wasn’t surprised when I read the post on Forbes by Ben Kepes, about PayPal’s decision to Axe VMware. (I did also notice this has been going on since 2013, but it looks like it’s finally happened.) This decision by PayPal doesn’t surprise me one bit. I’ve managed IT Operation on both cloud solutions, and it makes sense, and here’s why. It’s because […]
- [VMware vSphere 6 Quick Reference & Download Links](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-vsphere-6-download/): VMware vSphere 6 Has Arrived! Here’s a list of all the new VMware software products and the list includes download links to files and documentation to make your search for vSphere 6 quick and easy. Product Description Version Link Information Important VMware vSphere 6.0 (ESXi, vCenter) 6 Download Documentation Release Notes VMware Update Manager 6.0 6 Unavailable Documentation Release Notes VMware vSphere Update Manager PowerCLI 6.0 6 Download Documentation Release Notes VMware vRealize Operations for Horizon 6.x 6.1.0 Download Documentation Release Notes VMware vRealize Automation 6.x 6.2.1 Download Documentation Release Notes VMware vRealize Orchestrator 6.x 6.0.1 Download Documentation Release Notes […]
- [VMware vSphere Troubleshooting Guide for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-vsphere-troubleshooting-guide/): Why Is My App Running Slow On VMware? (Book Two) 12 Months After The Virtualization Project… Frustrated? You’re not the only one suffering from a slow application. I feel your pain and have spent days on bridge calls troubleshooting application problems. Yes, I know how important it is when a Sev 1 incident has taken down your key business application. In fact, I’ve been on too many calls at 2 A.M. and it’s time for this madness to stop! The Think Service First Series are a guide for helping new IT managers get started. These eBooks take the guesswork out […]
- [VMware vSphere Manager's Guide for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/managers-guide-vmware-vsphere/): VCP for Hire (Book One) A Manager’s Guide For Hiring vSphere Virtualization Engineers & Administrators… You’ve just been promoted to manager, now what? It’s not an easy task to keep people and technology in sync. And it’s not an easy job to keep up with all the new business requirements and new projects coming down the pipe. The Think Service First Series are short and easy to read guides for helping new managers get started. These eBooks take the guesswork out of running a busy infrastructure team. Written by an experienced vSphere Cloud Manager, each book in the series will […]
- [FREE VMware Career Guide for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-career-guide/): VMware Newbie Career Guide 20 Questions VMware Newbies Want Answered                                                                                                                                                                  By Joe Sanchez VMware Career Guide CONTENTS START HERE (Where to Begin) ALTERNATIVES (There’s Huge Opportunity) Job Search Advice (Resumes, Tips, Warnings) FIRST DAY (Growing Your Knowledge) THINK SERVICE FIRST (My Motto) Bonus Conclusion START HERE You are here because you want answers, right? Let’s get started. Who is this guide intended for? This starter guide is for VMware newbies and beginners who want answers to common career questions.   What will you get out of this guide? A lot. I will answer 20 of the most common […]
- [Hybrid Cloud Assessment - 13 Crucial Tips To Assess Your Readiness](https://www.vbeginners.com/cloud-readiness/): Planning your migration to the cloud? If you’re planning to move your organization’s applications to the cloud I suggest you take a moment and consider this important question. What is your cloud readiness? Let me explain what I’m asking. To start, you just don’t go to the cloud. This phrase may sound good for cloud advertisements but it is far from reality. In fact, if you haven’t started analyzing your cloud readiness and flattening out your application stacks months or even years ago you may not be going to the cloud any time soon. Or on the other hand, you […]
- [How To Avoid 5 Painful ESXi & Virtual Server Rookie Mistakes!](https://www.vbeginners.com/rookie-mistakes-esxi-virtual-server/): We’ve all made rookie mistakes before but some errors are painful long after we’ve learned our lesson, ouch… Warning! These FIVE mistakes will make “Best of Brand” hardware look bad: Not testing ESXi host configuration settings (DRS, Storage-DRS, HA). Not testing NEW hardware deployments (server, storage, and networking). Deploying virtual servers with over-provisioned resources (memory, CPU, and storage). Not testing virtual hardware configs (vNIC, vControllers, and vDisks). Not properly managing dependent resources and oversubscribing storage and networking. Do you want to know why it’s so critical for new vSphere admins to avoid these mistakes? One word, Trust! And here’s why…because […]
- [Simple Truth About Containers - My Review of The Docker Book](https://www.vbeginners.com/what-do-docker-containers-mean-for-ops/): Is Docker buzz worrying you? Years ago I had a guy on my team who had a cool saying for any time someone would get worked up about something. He would tell them… Keep your shoes on! Keeping Your Ops Shoes On Let’s face it, there’s always going to be something new coming along to change our world and we need to just adapt and learn to roll with the punches. Docker will not replace virtualization just like VMware has not replaced the need to buy hardware. In fact, if anything, it will just give creative Ops people more opportunities […]
- [3 Open Source Storage Software Alternatives For Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/open-source-storage-software-alternatives-for-beginners/): Build Your Own Storage Solution! Reflecting on my trip to VMworld in 2009, I recall storage was already moving to the forefront of virtualization technologies. Hmm…has much changed in 5 years considering VMware’s announcement at VMworld 2014 was about VSAN? But stop right there because I’m not going to talk about VSAN right now. There’s something much more important I want to share today! Newbie Alert: This is especially important for beginners to know about! Do you know there are 3 storage options that most vendors are not talking about? No, these are not the traditional scale-up or scale-out storage […]
- [Re-Thinking Storage Architecture (Is VSAN A Better Plan For Failures?)](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsan-storage/): Bullet Proofing Storage! My body still cringes when I remember the moment I heard the news…”The storage crashed!” It was 4 years ago (2010) when I lived through a large-scale outage that was caused by a SAN failure.  Which BTW, according to experts, “Should have never happened”, but it did. For 7 straight days, my team and I orchestrated the recovery of nearly 500 virtual servers that vanished when the storage crashed. Needless to say, it occurred during peak business hours. And hour after hour as we brought servers back online, I had the dreaded task of sending email updates […]
- [Best Online IT Training for Beginners: 7 Free & Fee Alternatives](https://www.vbeginners.com/it-training-for-beginners/): Do You Know Where Your Training Is Taking YOU? If you’re new to online IT training this guide can help you. Look, we know a newcomer searching the internet for training options might feel overwhelmed with all the new terminology and concepts you’ll find. This guide will cover some of the more popular training alternatives and technologies you can pick from. If you’re totally new to IT there’s no need to worry! There are so many great free, pay-per-use, and subscription-based online training resources available that offer step-by-step training. Look, we understand that being a beginner in the IT field […]
- [How To Install Genymotion VirtualBox for Beginners (Includes Google Play)](https://www.vbeginners.com/installing-genymotion-for-beginners/): How To Install Genymotion In this VM how to guide I’ll take you through an install I did of Genymotion, VirtualBox and Google Play. But First, What is Genymotion? Here’s what I determined from this evaluation: Basically, Genymotion is a front-end app that hooks into the VirtualBox software API and gives you advanced emulation and development features. It also has a portal where you log into and download pre-formatted virtual machines already configured with various popular distros of Android OS. It has a free version for personal use which has some limitations but is still worth installing. And it has […]
- [Virtualization Jobs Are Hot! (How To Hack Your Resume)](https://www.vbeginners.com/how-to-hack-your-resume/): 5 Resume Hacks That Will Get You Noticed and Interviewed for [NEW] Cloud and DevOps Jobs… The rush has begun and more businesses are boldly starting to move their precious tier 1 applications to the cloud. But the problem they are running into is finding skilled staff to architect the trip there. Yes, it is getting harder, and harder, to find expertise and that is where I want to focus on for this lesson. Cold Calls… If you’re like me you get at least 2 – 4 emails or calls each week from recruiters looking for cloud architects with a […]
- [Project Mystic...My Intriguing Observations](https://www.vbeginners.com/project-mystic/): Will You Be Left Out? In a recent article about Project Mystic posted on CRN, Kevin McLaughlin, dives into what his sources say are the good and bad side of working with VMware as a partner. But as I see it, Project Mystic isn’t anything new because Google and Amazon have been building converged infrastructure hardware for years in their clouds. Or did you not read my last post on white box servers? So let me ask – what makes VMware building a converges storage, network, and server appliance any different than let say Cisco UCS? Easy, they have the secret […]
- [Best Server Hardware Alternatives for Virtualization (ESXi White Box)](https://www.vbeginners.com/server-hardware-alternatives/): Intel [is] Inside White Box Servers, too! Before we dive into our list of 7 server hardware alternatives that are great for virtualization, let’s start with critical thought. Here’s what we all know: Google and Amazon build their clouds on customized server platforms with motherboards, disk drives, and backup batteries in open enclosures instead of fancy name brand cases with cool face-plates and someone’s logo. Low-Cost White Box Servers… To cloud providers like Google and Amazon; compute, space, bandwidth, efficiency and lower infrastructure costs are key to their success. Let that sink in… I’m not saying we should all build […]
- [11 Best VMware Alternatives & Free Virtual Machine Software Programs (VM Apps)](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtual-machine-software/): Now It’s Easy to Build Virtual Machines Like a Pro… There was a time when you could Google “virtual machine software,” and only VMware and Java would come up. But those days are long gone. Today, every server, network, security, and storage vendor has gotten into the virtualization technology business. Nowadays, VMs can run on smartphones and tablets and are even being used to mine cryptocurrency… And though VMware is my favorite, I wanted to be fair to vBeginners readers and all the vendors who have virtual machine products. So I’m recommending that anyone considering a career in virtualization or […]
- [Why is My App Running Slow on VMware?](https://www.vbeginners.com/app-running-slow-vmware/): Think Service First eBook Series On January 1, 2014, I’ll be releasing an eBook series called “Think Service First.” Update: Released on Jan 4 2014. It’s something I’ve been working on for months and it has become the driver for everything I’m doing now as an Ops Manager. The first eBook in the series is “Why is my App running slow on VMware” and will be available on Amazon – New Year’s Day, Free for everyone who has a Prime account (or $2.99). The series picks up where my first eBook “VCP for Hire” left off, understanding why you need […]
- [20 Questions VMware Newbies Want Answered (Free Career Guide)](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-newbie-career-guide/): You’re here because you want answers, right? This starter guide is for VMware newbies and beginners who want answers to common career questions. In this guide, I answer 20 of the most common questions I get sent to me via emails. Or that I’ve heard as a manager during many of the interviews I’ve conducted. Here’s the list of questions I answer in detail: Where do I start my VMware career? How much will it cost to get a VCP? What salary can I expect to earn as a VMware admin? Do you need to know everything about VMware products […]
- [VMware Certification: Where to Begin Your Virtualization Career](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-certification/): Overloaded by Choices… Recently as I was browsing the My Learning Portal on VMware, I was amazed by all the certifications now available for different VMware products. Talk about Sprawl! Back when I started getting serious about my virtualization career, there was only one CERT, VCP. Now there are 16 CERTS and more coming soon… Different VMware Certifications Cloud VCA-Cloud NEW, VCP-Cloud, VCAP-CID, VCAP-CIA, VCDX-Cloud Data Center Virtualization VCA-DCV, VCP5-DCV, VCAP5-DCA, VCAP5-DCD, VCDX5-DCV (And there are more now with 6.x) End-User Computing VCA-WM NEW, VCP5-DT, VCAP-DTD Cloud Application Platform Coming Soon…Spring Professional Web Application Developer Enterprise Integration Specialist Network Virtualization (VCA-NV) Storage Virtualization (VCA-SV) How much is the VCP Test? […]
- [How Bare Metal Virtualization Made Cloud Computing A Reality](https://www.vbeginners.com/bare-metal-virtualization/): An Overview of Bare Metal Virtualization Let’s start by explaining what the term bare metal refers to: It’s the physical state of server hardware (aka bare metal) filling server cabinets in most legacy data centers. Moreover, each physical server is running one operating system such as Windows or Linux, and one application (aka platform). And in most cases, bare metal servers are using less than 20% of available system resources (the other 80% is idle). This may not sound like much but it’s a big problem [or opportunity] when you calculate the cost of each physical server and then multiply it by […]
- [3 vSphere Installation and Setup Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-installation-and-setup/): Here’s the truth – I’ve made a lot of VMware mistakes. There I said it, now here are 3 tips to help avoid costly downtime and outages caused by beginners performing a vSphere installation and setup for the first time. Before we get started, I want to share my new guide to the top step-by-step vSphere video training. vSphere for Beginners Tip #1 – Design (No Shooting from the Hip) Nothing is more painful than having to rebuild a vSphere cloud already being used to support 100s of VMs because it was never properly designed. My guess is these environments grow out of […]
- [Quick Lesson: VM Performance Checklist for Troubleshooting](https://www.vbeginners.com/vm-performance-checklist-for-troubleshooting/): Let’s set the stage for this VMware troubleshooting lesson… It’s 2 o’clock in the morning and you just received a call from the NOC. Hundreds of users from around the world are calling the help desk and reporting very slow performance [and some are unable to log in]. Before we get going, let me recommend my new guide for the best step-by-step vSphere online training. Welcome to virtualization Admin reality! For many virtualization admins this is a common event and having a plan or checklist for troubleshooting VM performance is key to getting back to sleep. 5 Basic VM Troubleshooting […]
- [Advantages of Cloud Computing (Private versus Public)](https://www.vbeginners.com/advantages-of-cloud-computing/): Advantages of Cloud Computing Whether you’re an enterprise IT department planning to build your own private cloud using vSphere or OpenStack, or a business deciding whether to leverage the public cloud using AWS EC2 or Rackspace; the advantages of cloud computing depend on the opportunity cost for each solution. First let me start by defining for those who are new to this topic what cloud computing is. Most definitions I’ve read say something like this… Cloud computing architecture is a scalable, robust, and high available infrastructure service designed to allow for quick and transparent compute capacity. Does my definition fit […]
- [Read Excerpts from VCP for Hire eBook](https://www.vbeginners.com/read-excerpts-from-vcp-for-hire-ebook/): BIG Thanks… Before I share the excerpt of VCP for Hire, first I want to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of my eBook. Thank You for downloading nearly 200 copies! Now let me take a minute and reach out to the managers who are struggling with team building and staffing responsibilities such as: writing VMware job descriptions, writing VMware interview questions, scheduling interviews, performing interviews, and then pick the next member for your team. I wrote this easy to read, short eBook, to help YOU! Why can’t HR help you? Over the years I have found myself challenged […]
- [How to Track Your vSphere Project with Kanban](https://www.vbeginners.com/how-to-track-your-vsphere-project-with-kanban/): I use Kanban because it works! Kanban has been around since 1953 and is known for helping make Toyota so successful. And yes, even today, Kanban is used to track the assembly of Toyota automobiles. So now that I have your attention, I’m going to explain why you should be using Kanban for tracking your vSphere project. Let’s get started. Definition of Done… Let me stop for a moment and quickly cover an important lesson I learned in Scrum training with ScrumBob on why you need to verify when something is said to be “done”. The reason is that the definition of […]
- [Learn Cloud Computing Lingo...What is IaaS, PaaS & SaaS?](https://www.vbeginners.com/what-is-iaas-paas-saas/): How IaaS, PaaS & SaaS all stack up! What is IaaS? Before I jump into answering this, let’s briefly introduce cloud computing and explain why each layer is referred to as a service. As I recall, it used to be that traditional IT was run as separate groups (towers) for hardware, software, development, servers, storage, and networking. And dare I say each had their own agenda for what they were doing… This practice eventually led to major shortcomings as Capacity Management, Scalability, and High Availability was normally not factored into what most IT departments were delivering. They generally focused on quickly […]
- [How to Protect Against Data Loss When DB is Virtualized](https://www.vbeginners.com/protect-against-data-loss-when-the-db-server-is-virtualized/): How’s your data backup doing? Whether your business application stores financial data such as invoices, or PI (personal information) data such as personal or customer records – at the core of any business software is the DATA. What changed… Well, a lot has changed over the last decade as many IT departments have started using virtual technology. But be FOREWARNED because virtualizing your database server doesn’t add any additional data loss protection; in fact, it makes database backup slightly more difficult due to the differences in physical versus virtual server hardware. What are the minimum backup requirements, now? The same as before. […]
- [OpenStack for Beginners (Alternatives for VMware)](https://www.vbeginners.com/openstack-beginners-alternatives-vmware/): OpenStack for Beginners Over the last year, I’ve seen a shift happening in the virtual world that looks very positive for the founders of OpenStack. Alternative for vSphere And even VMware has jumped on the bandwagon… …But all too concerning that VMware will eventually acquire the open-source cloud software company that powers many of the cloud infrastructures that have not been adopters of VMware. Cloud Providers OpenStack has also been a popular choice for hosting companies such as HP Cloud, Rackspace, and Ulticloud. Community And OpenStack has a large community (mostly Linux enthusiast) that have made OpenStack a successful product […]
- [Mentors Wanted! Teach Virtualization Newbies...](https://www.vbeginners.com/mentors-wanted-teach-virtualization-newbies/): Virtualization Mentors Wanted! If you are new to VMware, Citrix, www.Openstack.org, UCS or any other software or hardware technology, it’s not about the CERTs you have, it’s about how you handle yourself in a pinch that really makes the difference. Anyone (well almost anyone) can Google a topic (or problem) and follow someone’s instructions for installing a product or configuring a software… …But, as my experience has shown me over time – it’s the guy or girl who knows their stuff that you want on the call when things go wrong (and you can bet things will go wrong). Unfortunately […]
- [Citrix XenApp for Beginners (How to Run XA on vSphere Guide)](https://www.vbeginners.com/citrix-xenapp-for-beginners/): Citrix XenApp for Beginners Don’t waste your time trying to figure out how to run Citrix XenApp on ESX, go straight to the source for help! I have worked with at least four different Citrix admins who have all tried to figure it out alone and all that did was make our Citrix user community suffer long term from profile issues and slowness. This PDF how-to document covers it all from end to end with step-by-step instructions. Citrix XenApp Best Practices Here’s a link to VMware’s documentation for Citrix XenApp on VMware Best Practices Guide An example of what you will find […]
- [Comparing Best Practices vs Best Efforts](https://www.vbeginners.com/comparing-best-practices-vs-best-efforts/): Setting standards managing vSphere using best practices when the best effort is everywhere… What is a Best Practice? Start with listening to the vendor on how things should be designed or installed (config, hardware, etc). Then, it’s getting someone who knows what they are doing to actually do the design and install. And finally, it’s tweaking things as you go to get the kinks worked out for best health and performance. What is Best Effort, then? Well, it’s making it work the best way you can regardless of what the vendor or experts recommend for software configuration, hardware, and storage, […]
- [Is vMan the vSphere Super Hero Your Single Point of Failure?](https://www.vbeginners.com/single-point-of-failure-vman-risk/): Is too much of your vSphere Cloud success riding on the shoulders of one person? We all love a good movie about the hero who rides into gunfire to save the day… … but when it comes to managing infrastructure, Heroes are at the core of a companies IT department’s biggest risk. Mitigating the Risk of a Single Point of Failure “Person” Let’s get straight to the point on this vSphere DR Strategy topic – allowing a single person (vMan) to become irreplaceable puts the entire virtualization team and vSphere at risk of failure if the hero ever decides to […]
- [Virtual Server DR Strategy for Beginners: Failure Domain](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtual-server-dr-strategy-for-beginners-failure-domains/): Are all your egg’s in one basket? Keeping all the business critical virtual servers in the same datastore, LUN, or storage volume is a common OVERSIGHT for many IT operation teams. A key DR Strategy for beginners is to learn to separate out not only virtual servers on to separate storage aggregates… …but also to separate drives (vmdk) within the virtual storage so data and system state are not lost together in the event of a storage failure. These separate DR environments are called failure domains and at least two failure domains should always exist within each technology stack. 4 […]
- [Service Management Guide: ITSM for Virtualization](https://www.vbeginners.com/service-management-guide-itsm-for-virtualization/): What’s the difference between deploying a service versus installing a software technology? A lot! For example think about what you expect from companies that provide you with water, electricity, and telephone services (now you’re getting close). What’s ITSM for Virtualization? As an infrastructure manager, over the years I’ve had virtualization admins and engineers tell me how quickly they can install a new technology such as VMware View… … and for the most part they were telling the truth.  Heck, even I can follow the instructions to set up VMware View. But that’s not delivering a quality service, its installing software. […]
- [Virtualization Beginner's Guide Book](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtualization-beginners-guide/): About Virtualization, A Beginner’s Guide I came across an interesting book today, Virtualization, A Beginner’s Guide,  that seems like an interesting read for those new to the virtualization topic and are investigating which solution is best for their business or IT needs. Here’s what authors Daniel Ruest & Nelson Ruest have to say about their book: Transform your IT infrastructure into a leaner, greener data center with expert guidance from a pair of industry professionals. 5 Step Deployment Plan Through clear explanations, examples, and a five-step deployment plan, Virtualization: A Beginner’s Guide shows you how to maximize the latest technologies from Citrix, […]
- [vSphere Monitoring for Health & Performance](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-monitoring/): Managing and supporting various vSphere environments over the years has given me a binocular view of what vSphere monitoring checks are best for keeping ESXi hosts healthy and VMs at peak performance. And, now that most IT departments have realized that cramming as many VMs as possible onto a host is not a good or best practice, it’s easier to justify health and performance over virtual machine density relative to the return on investment. Think of your vSphere as a STACK From the bottom up, you have (physical stack): network switches, VLANs, interfaces, and connections storage units, LUNs, and spindles […]
- [19 Virtualization Basics: Part 2 for VMware Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtualization-basics/): Virtualization is NOT for Dummies! As a part 2 follow-up for 23 VMware for Beginners tips, this post is a collection of 19 more tips (and best practices) I’ve written for the broader virtualization audience. What’s the difference you might ask? The difference is virtualization basics focus on the big picture (design, tools, management, etc). In this collection, I share what’s important for infrastructure managers as well as give advice on related topics that might come into play as a vSphere virtual environment grows in size, functionality, and complexity. There’s also a list of useful tools I’ve reviewed. Let’s dig […]
- [Are Your VMware Engineer Duties Spread TOO Thin?](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-engineer-duties/): Recently in an interview for a job, I was asked the question by a panel member why I had written a book on hiring VMware Engineers and Administrators. The answer is that many traditional IT managers don’t know what to look for when doing talent searches… …but of course, that is not what I told the interviewer, however; it is why I wrote the book! TOO Many VMware Engineer Duties… Don’t take my word for it, here’s the job listing for VMware Engineer Jobs to check for yourself. While watching the job market, I’m amazed when I read job descriptions for VMware […]
- [3 Interview Prep Questions You Should Practice Answering](https://www.vbeginners.com/interview-prep-questions-and-answers/): These non-technical interview prep questions may seem easy (or even unimportant for Virtualization Engineers or Admins), but you’d be surprised how many people blow an interview because they are not prepared to answer them without setting off warning flares. Rehearse Until You Don’t Ramble Don’t end up rambling on and on during an interview and giving the interviewer(s) the ammunition they need to dig deeper into a bad answer. A good interview answer may have 1 or 2 follow-up questions, but a bad or open-ended answer may have 5 or more follow-up questions and will lead the interviewer down a path […]
- [Free ESXi License Key (For Newbies)](https://www.vbeginners.com/free-esxi-license-key/): In this important VMware for beginners post, I’ll provide a few links to help get you to get started… First is a link where ESXi can be downloaded… (Download ESXi) ESXi is the VMware vSphere Hypervisor that makes the magic happen. From this link, you can also get your Free ESXi License Key. Next, I will send you a link where you can download the vSphere client. (Download Client) The client will work without a license but ESXi will require the free ESXi License Key to activate it. And finally, a link to the ESXi Installation Guide (PDF Download) For […]
- [Build A Custom Rack Server Cabinet for Your Home Lab](https://www.vbeginners.com/build-a-custom-rack-server-cabinet/): Do you want a server cabinet for your home lab? Here’s how to build a custom rack server cabinet on a small budget. This idea works perfectly for the DIY virtualization hobbyist. My 12-year-old son and I built it over the weekend. It’s a way to rack a 1U or 2U server at home without a half or full-size server cabinet. Building a Custom Rack Server Cabinet (Code Name Project Eleanor): Bill of Materials Purchased on Amazon One Sterilite 01408501 2-Shelf Base Cabinet with Putty Handles, Platinum  (more info) One Dual 80mm USB Fans + Grill + Rubber Feet (more info) […]
- [Best In Class Hardware (Anything to Show for It?)](https://www.vbeginners.com/best-in-class-hardware/): In all, I’ve probably been to 75 or more Cisco, HP, Dell, EMC, NetApp, and other Best in Class hardware vendor demos where they were pitching VMware solutions… …and to be honest, they were all pretty good – but that’s expected for Best in Class Hardware vendors, right? Now, tally up the cost for Best in Class and the overall TCO for virtual infrastructure has just given the business reason to move to commodity cloud services such as AWS. Or to white box server hardware for virtualization. Related VMware Hardware Topic in the News While browsing the news today, I […]
- [Why Virtualization Fails: 3 Reasons We Don't Talk About](https://www.vbeginners.com/why-virtualization-fails/): Warning: This is a Touchy Topic! Bad (storage, server, and network) configs are a few examples of why virtualization fails but these are technical in nature and are often easy to fix – whereas what I’m about to cover goes deeper. They are the problems talked about behind closed doors. Let’s talk openly about the real reasons why your virtualization efforts are failing… Why Virtualization Fails 1. Cowboys Make Good Movie Characters but Hurt Infrastructure Teams In the movie Die Hard, Bruce Willis is the Lone-Ranger saving the world; however, cowboys on an infrastructure team disrupt plans, road maps, and […]
- [vSphere Operations Management Tasks: What to Expect](https://www.vbeginners.com/vsphere-operations-management/): Years of managing virtualization has given me a unique perspective most IT Managers will soon develop as their vSphere Operations Management tasks grow exponentially. The perspective is – vSphere Operations Management is time-consuming and work-intensive, to say the least… Before we get started, let me recommend also reading my new guide to the best step by step VMware vSphere training online.  Sharing a Lesson Learned Yes, virtualization is cool and fun to set up in the beginning, but the lesson I learned is – later on, vSphere operations management can cause nightmares due to all the tasks required to maintain health and performance service levels. […]
- [VMware for Beginners: Collection of 23 Virtualization Basics](https://www.vbeginners.com/vmware-for-beginners/): These VMware for Beginners articles were written especially for techs new to virtualization. Intro. Writing as someone who has been a VMware beginner, I know what it’s like to work through some of the most common problems faced when installing vSphere for the first time. That’s why I created this collection of basic techniques and how-to articles that I’ve written over the years and put them in one easy-to-read post. Some are a little dated but still provide insight into how VMware has changed. VMware for Beginners How-To Articles How to Install VMware: Start with a vSphere Pre-installation Checklist – Before […]
- [Server Consolidation Plan: Risk of Biting Off Too Much!](https://www.vbeginners.com/server-consolidation-plan/): In 2008 I took a virtualization engineer job with a large online company and immediately was tasked with helping the server consolidation project. Like most companies that had been deploying VMware at this time (2008), there were multiple one-off environments, mix-matched server and storage configurations, and a slew of performance problems. For the record, server consolidation was just becoming a buzzword, so this wasn’t a surprise! They also didn’t have any company-wide standards and every business unit was building their own virtual environments. Hence the root of the problem… Under this project, the virtualization team was given the “green light” to standardize, consolidate and automate […]
- [Virtualization Myths Exposed (Saves Money, Hardware, Resources, More..)](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtualization-myths/): I remember the old Memorex slogan back in the days of cassette tapes… “Is it Real or Memorex?” There’s a similar reality check going on over all the virtualization myths that are causing many businesses to ask if virtualization and cloud are worth the hassles. In this post we’ll dive into six “Virtualization Myths” I have seen first-hand over the years. 1. “Virtualization Saves Money!” This myth gets everyone, but in my experience, it is “Busted!” Why do I say “Busted?” Because it will take years before your administrators, engineers, and environment are running efficiently enough to cut CapEx and OpEx, […]

## Pages

- [Virtual Machine Training for Beginners: Learn to Build VMs Like a Pro](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtual-machine-training/): Virtual Machine Training for Beginners: Learn to Build VMs Like a Pro If you are new to virtual machine (VM) training, you’re in the right place! This guide will teach you the basics of virtualization, how to build your own virtual machines, and how to manage virtual infrastructure like a pro. Virtualization is an essential part of modern IT and cloud computing. It allows you to create virtual versions of hardware like computers and servers, all from one physical machine. With virtual machine training, you’ll gain the skills that IT managers are looking for in the growing field of cloud […]
- [vBeginners Site Map](https://www.vbeginners.com/vbeginners-site-map/)
- [Contact vBeginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/contact-vbeginners/): Hello There! I’m interested in getting comments and feedback from my readers. And I know you want to get an answer, right? I have a couple of small requests… If you’re asking about an article you’ve read or for help on something, can you please enter your comment in the comments section at the bottom of the page instead of using the contact page? This helps me respond to you through a related post. You’ll still get an email letting you know I’ve answered your question or commented on your feedback. Plus, others get the see the response. Also, if […]
- [Virtualization for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/): Virtualization for Beginners vBeginners Intro to Virtualization Virtualization is a technology that lets one physical machine act as many virtual machines. This makes your hardware work better, boosts security, and cuts costs. Virtualization Technology Here are the topics we cover in this guide: – Benefits of Virtualization – How Virtualization Works – Different Types of Virtualization – Choosing the Right Virtualization for You – The Best Server Hardware for Virtualization – Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtualization – Building a Test Lab for Virtualization Projects – Alternatives to Virtualization – Is Virtualization Worth It? Let’s start off with a quick video overview… […]
- [Virtualization Training for Beginners](https://www.vbeginners.com/virtualization-training/): Virtual Machine Training for Beginners that Teaches You to Build VMs Like A Pro… Customize Your Virtual Machine Training Plan Clear Instructions. Easy To Follow. Beginner Friendly. Turn Your Passion for Virtualization & Cloud Technologies into Tech Skills that IT Managers NEED! Since 2007, the vBeginners Training Hub Community has helped new systems administrators learn exciting and rewarding technical job skills that advance their IT careers and help them earn more income by improving their technical knowledge and SysAdmin abilities. Our learning path is built on more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry. During this time, we […]
- [Learning Center](https://www.vbeginners.com/learning-center/)
- [Thank You for Connecting](https://www.vbeginners.com/thank-you/): Hi, I’m Joe, and Thank you for connecting with me… My goal is to help curious people become Indispensable so you can help me change IT! What you can to Expect… No. 1 – First off, I won’t spam you with junk email. I’m just like you – I don’t like getting spam sent to me. That said, anything I do email to you will be worth your time reading. And, any time you don’t want any more of my emails you can just opt-out and I will stop sending you them. No hurt feelings… No. 2 – I want […]
- [Expired Content](https://www.vbeginners.com/expired-content/): Whoops, the content you’re looking for has expired or is no longer available… But WAIT! As a gift for your time, Joe wants to give you a FREE VMware Career Guide. Start your VMware career and land a high paying and exciting cloud job! This free guide is a step in the right direction and can help you get started, today! It’s an easy to ready guide with 20 Tips showing you where to start, what your options are for training, lots of job links and more…
- [About Our vBeginners Journey from VMware to Hybrid Cloud (Always Innovating)](https://www.vbeginners.com/about/): Hello – I’m Joe. “Thank You” for your interest… vBeginners is where I share my desire to help passionate people become Indispensable! If you are passionate about being the best, you’ve found the right place to start learning and grow into an AWESOME IT Professional. Here’s my first lesson for you. Always attempt to deliver the most outstanding technical services that anyone could imagine… About Joe (me): A quick story: I’ll dive into what you can expect as you read my tips, lessons, and how-to guides about the hybrid cloud. I’ve been an IT Professional since the 1990s. I was hands-on […]
- [Privacy](https://www.vbeginners.com/privacy/): Joe Sanchez owns and operates the vBeginners website. He is committed to the privacy and security of our visitors’ information. The following is a statement of our privacy practices: Information Collected Your personal information is not required to visit https://www.vbeginners.com/ Any personal information collected is knowingly provided by you and only when requested/required during account registration for interactive participation on https://www.vbeginners.com/ and during the ordering process Traffic Data Your IP address is a numeric address assigned to your computer, assigned by your Internet service provider. We automatically collect your IP address as traffic data so that we can send information back […]
- [Terms](https://www.vbeginners.com/terms/): Important Information You should carefully read the following Terms and Conditions (also referred to as the “Terms of Use”, “Terms of Service” or “TOS”). Your use of our service(s) implies that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions. The Website (all vBeginners websites may hereafter be referred to, both individually and collectively, as “The Website”) from which you accessed this agreement is provided to you subject to the conditions listed below. These terms are in addition to any other terms that individual Website owners within the vBeginners may include for governing access to their Websites. Any Non-Human Visitors […]

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