Lay the foundation for data center virtualization using VMware vSphere 6 and understand its power Key Features Learn how server virtualization is achieved and virtual infrastructure is built using VMware's products and solutions Create a scalable and responsive virtualization platform for hosting virtual machine workloads of a business Study server virtualization concepts with conceptual diagrams, flowcharts, and screen-captures Book DescriptionComputer virtualization, the foundation of modern day data centers, entails running multiple application workloads on a single machine to reduce the number of physical machines in a data center and achieve scalability. What began as a technology to virtualize x86 architecture has now grown beyond the limits of a server's hardware and into the realm of storage and network virtualization. VMware is currently the market leader in developing data center virtualization solutions.This book goes into the details of designing and implementing VMware solutions that form the foundation of a VMware infrastructure. The book begins by introducing you to server virtualization concepts followed by the installation and configuration of ESXi – Vmware's hypervisor. You'll learn how to manage a vSphere environment and configure vCenter's advanced management capabilities. As you advance, you'll cover vSphere networking, storage, ESXi clustering, resource management, and virtual machine management. You'll then be introduced to SSL certificate management and its use in a vSphere environment. Finally, you'll get to grips with lifecycle management of a vSphere environment by effectively monitoring, patching, and upgrading vSphere components using Update Manager.By the end of the book, you'll have learned how to use VMware's vSphere suite of components to lay the foundation for a modern virtual infrastructure. What you will learn Understand the hypervisor architecture and install, deploy, and configure ESXi hosts Find out what forms a VMware Virtual Machine can take and how to create and manage them Manage storage in a vSphere environment Create and manage software switching constructs such as the vNetwork Standard Switch and vNetwork Distributed Switches Monitor the performance of a vSphere environment using tools such as the vCenter performance graphs and ESXTOP Manage SSL certificates in a vSphere environment Upgrade and patch a vSphere environment using vSphere Update Manager Who this book is forIf you're an experienced technologist new to the realm of data center virtualization, this book will help you get a head start in learning how to design, implement, and manage a modern day datacenter virtualized using VMware's core infrastructure solutions. It'll also serve as a comprehensive reference guide for infrastructure architects and system administrators. Table of Contents An Introduction to Server Virtualization Using VMware The Hypervisor – ESXi The Management Layer – VMware vCenter vSphere Networking Concepts and Management vSphere Storage Concepts and Management Advanced vSphere Infrastructure Management Understanding Host Profiles, Image Profiles, and Auto Deploy Virtual Machines Concepts and Management Monitoring Performance of a vSphere Environment Certificate Management for a vSphere Environment Securing a vSphere Environment Life Cycle Management of a vSphere Environment