Course Content
VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage Content
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Introduction to vSphere and the Software Defined Data Center
As a vSphere administrator, you must be familiar with the components on which vSphere is based. You must also understand the following concepts: Virtualization, the role of the ESXi hypervisor in virtualization and virtual machines Fundamental vSphere components and the use of vSphere in the software-defined data center Use of vSphere clients to administer and manage vSphere environments
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Virtual Machines
You can create a virtual machine in several ways. Choosing the correct method can save you time and make the deployment process manageable and scalable.
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vCenter Server
vCenter Server helps you centrally manage multiple ESXi hosts and their virtual machines. If you do not properly deploy, configure, and manage vCenter Server Appliance, your environment might experience reduced administrative efficiency or ESXi host and virtual machine downtime.
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Configuring and Managing Virtual Networks
When you configure ESXi networking properly, virtual machines can communicate with other virtual, and physical, machines. In this way, remote host management and IP-based storage operate effectively.
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Configuring and Managing Virtual Storage
Understanding the available storage options helps you set up your storage according to your cost, performance, and manageability requirements. You can use shared storage for disaster recovery, high availability, and moving virtual machines between hosts.
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Virtual Machine Management
Virtual machines are the foundation of your virtual infrastructure. Managing VMs effectively requires skills in creating templates and clones, modifying VMs, migrating VMs, taking snapshots, and protecting the VMs through replication and backups.
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Resource Management and Monitoring
Although the VMkernel works proactively to avoid resource contention, maximizing performance requires both analysis and ongoing monitoring. Developing skills in resource management, you can dynamically reallocate resources so that you can use available capacity more efficiently.
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vSphere Clusters
Most organizations rely on computer-based services like email, databases, and web-based applications. The failure of any of these services can mean lost productivity and revenue. By understanding and using vSphere HA, you can configure highly available, computer-based services, which are important for an organization to remain competitive in contemporary business environments. And by developing skills in using vSphere DRS, you can improve service levels by guaranteeing appropriate resources to virtual machines.
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vSphere Lifecycle Management
Managing the life cycle of vSphere involves keeping vCenter Server and ESXi hosts up to date and integrated with other VMware and third-party solutions. To achieve these goals, you must understand how to use the new features provided by vSphere Lifecycle Manager, namely, clusterlevel management of ESXi hosts and the vCenter Server Update Planner.
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VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage
About Lesson

Creating Virtual Machines

Learner Objectives

After completing this lesson, you should be able to meet the following objectives:

  • Create and provision a virtual machine
  • Describe how to import a virtual appliance OVF template
  • Explain the importance of VMware Tools
  • Install VMware Tools

About Provisioning Virtual Machines

You can create VMs in several ways:

  • Use the New Virtual Machine wizard to create a single VM using:
  • Use the vSphere Client to deploy VMs in the following formats:
    • —New VMs from existing templates or clones
    • —VMs, virtual appliances, and vApps stored in OVF format

Creating VMs with the New Virtual Machine Wizard (1)

You can use the New Virtual Machine wizard in the vSphere Client to create a VM.

Creating VMs with the New Virtual Machine Wizard (2)

You can use the New Virtual Machine wizard in VMware Host Client to create a VM.

New Virtual Machine Wizard Settings

VM configuration settings are based on prior choices that you made about the operating system.

Installing the Guest Operating System

Installing a guest operating system in your VM is similar to installing it on a physical computer.

Deploying OVF Templates

You can deploy any VM or virtual appliance stored in OVF format. Virtual appliances are preconfigured VMs:

  • They are usually designed for a single purpose.
  • They are also available from VMware Solution Exchange.

About VMware Tools

VMware Tools is a set of features that enhance the performance of a VM’s guest operating system. Benefits and features include:

  • Device drivers
    • —SVGA display
    • —VMXNET/VMXNET3
    • —Balloon driver for memory management
    • —Sync driver for quiescing I/O
    • Increased graphics performance
  • Improved mouse performance
  • Guest OS heartbeat service
  • Time synchronization
  • Ability to shut down the VM

Installing VMware Tools

  • Ensure that you select the correct version of VMware Tools for your guest operating system.
  • To find out which VMware Tools ISO images are bundled with vSphere 7, see the vSphere 7 Release Notes.
  • The method for installing VMware Tools depends on the guest operating system type.

Downloading VMware Tools

You can download a specific version of VMware Tools from the VMware vSphere product download page.

Review of Learner Objectives

After completing this lesson, Creating Virtual Machines, you should be able to meet the following objectives:

  • Create and provision a virtual machine
  • Describe how to import a virtual appliance OVF template
  • Explain the importance of VMware Tools
  • Install VMware Tools
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