Training

The goal of this 3 day course is to equip consulting professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve competence in designing a VMware vSphere 5 virtual infrastructure. Given an organization’s constraints and requirements, the infrastructure should be available, scalable, manageable, and secure while meeting the organization’s business objectives. The course is based on VMware ESXi and VMware vCenter Server 5. This course discusses the benefits and risks of available design alternatives and provides information to support making sound design decisions. This course also provides an opportunity to practice your design skills by working with peers on a design project. Objectives: • Understand and apply a framework to a design. • Design a storage solution to use vSphere in an enterprise. • Design a network to use vSphere in an enterprise. • Design compute resources for an enterprise. • Design virtual machines to run applications in a virtual infrastructure. • Design a virtual datacenter for an enterprise. • Incorporate management and monitoring features in the design. • Identify design goals, requirements, constraints, and risks. • Identify useful information for making design decisions. • Recognize and analyze best-practice recommendations. • Analyze alternative design choices. Course Datasheet

This 4 days hands-on training course builds your skills in the VMware View™ suite of products: VMware View™ Manager, View Composer, and VMware ThinApp®. This course is based on the View 5.0 and ThinApp 4.6 releases. Before attending this course, you must be able to perform the following tasks:
• Create a template in VMware vCenter Server™ and deploy a virtual machine from the template. • Modify a template customization file. • Open a virtual machine console in vCenter Server and access the guest operating system. • Configure Active Directory services.
Objectives:
• Install and configure View components. • Create and manage dedicated and floating desktop pools. • Deploy and manage linked-clone virtual desktops. • Configure and manage desktops that run in local mode. • Configure user profiles with View Persona Management. • Configure secure access to desktops through a public network. • Use ThinApp to package applications.

VMware is about to launch a new course. It’s the long awaited SRM 5 training which will be most likely available in the first quarter of 2012. This new 3 day training course replaces the current 1.0 version which is a very welcome update. SRM 5 is still in beta, but there’s a datasheet available at this link.

SRM 5 Beta.pdf

This three-day, hands-on training course equips experienced VMware vSphere administrators with the knowledge to install, configure, and manage VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager 5.0. This course also equips vSphere administrators with the knowledge to assist in disaster planning and to test disaster recovery plans with SRM. At the end of the course, you should gain an understanding of the functionality in SRM 5.0 and be able to do the following:

•  Install SRM 5.0
•  Configure placeholder datastores
•  Configure inventory mappings in SRM
•  Configure datastore mappings
•  Replicate virtual machines using physical couriering
•  Configure vSphere replication-based protection groups in SRM
•  Create, edit, execute, test, and remove a recovery plan in SRM
•  Reprotect virtual machines
•  Configure SRM alarms
•  Troubleshoot SRM problems

http://www.vmware.com/products/site-recovery-manager/

VMware is working on the completion of a fully renewed vSphere 5 Fast-Track. This training course will look a little bit like the old VI3 Fast-Track (Install, Configure and Manage plus the Deploy Secure and Analyze) training we had in the old days.  Here’s a short overview:

This intensive, extended-hours training course focuses on installing, configuring, and managing VMware vSphere 5. It combines the content of the VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage course with advanced tasks and skills for configuring a highly available and scalable virtual infrastructure. The course is based on VMware ESXi 5.0 and VMware vCenter Server 5.0. Completion of this course satisfies the prerequisite for taking the VMware Certified Professional 5 exam.

The objectives are:

- Configure and manage ESXi networking and storage.
- Create, configure, migrate, manage, convert, and monitor virtual machines and virtual appliances.
- Manage user access to the virtual infrastructure.
- Use vCenter Server to monitor resource usage.
- Scale the vSphere virtual infrastructure.
- Implement business continuity solutions.
- Manage changes to the vSphere environment.
- Use a command-line interface to manage vSphere.
- Install and configure ESXi and vCenter Server.
- Use vSphere Auto Deploy to provision ESXi hosts.

This course is designed for experienced system administrators and system integrators willing to work hard to achieve superior vSphere skills with minimal time away from the office. The prerequisites are the willingness to participate in a demanding, high-intensity training experience. And you must be comfortable with system administration using command-line interfaces.

VMware is working on a new training which will be released in the next months. It’s called VMware vCloud: Deploy and Manage the VMware Cloud. This course demonstrates to technical personnel how to deploy VMware vCloud for a public, private, or hybrid cloud environment and manage the on-going operation of the deployment. The course focuses on the private and public vCloud solutions but also includes information on how this approach supports a hybrid solution.The training course is still in beta but will most likely contain the following Course Objectives. After completing this course, you should understand the features and operation of vCloud and be able to do the following:

- Deploy VMware vCloud Director
- Manage vCloud Director to satisfy private, public and hybrid cloud business needs.
- Configure VMware vSphere storage to enable multiple tiers in provider virtual datacenters.
- Create vCloud Director organizations and vApps to satisfy business needs.
- Configure networking for organizations and vApps.
- Use linked clones to enable fast provisioning.
- Use VMware vCenter Chargeback to meter vCloud Director resources.
- Use VMware vCenter Operations Standard to monitor your environment.

This morning, during the VMworld 2011 Europe VCI day, I’ve received the VMware Certified Instructor Certificate of Achievement from Chris Cottam – Director, Education Delivery EMEA. I’ve received this award in recognition of my outstanding contribution; I’ve trained the highest number of students. I also have delivered very wide range of VMware training courses, my focus is on the advanced vSphere training courses. Besides delivering courses, I was an active participant in the vSphere 5 beta community. During the official launch at the 12th of July I created several vSphere 5 videos and made the recordings available via YouTube and iTunes. I was awarded as vExpert 2011 at the first of July and have passed his VCP5 exam at the end of September. During the VMworld 2011 in Las Vegas, I was a speaker and presented a top 3 rated session which was repeated twice due to its popularity. The “Myhtbusters goes virtual” session was very well received at the VMworld 2011 Las Vegas. Because of that, it will also run at the VMworld 2011 Copenhagen.

This 3 days hands-on training course explores the use of VMware vCenter Orchestrator for the automation of IT processes, both physical and virtual. By the end of the course, you should gain an understanding of the features and functions of Orchestrator and be able to do the following:

•  Install and configure Orchestrator
•  Install and configure VMware vCenter Server™
•  Use the Orchestrator client to browse vSphere objects
•  Develop and run parameterized workflows
•  Build workflows that call other workflows
•  Use Orchestrator plug-ins to send email and to execute shell commands remotely
•  Export and package workflows

Course data sheet

This hands-on training course introduces the most compelling features of VMware vSphere 5, which is the foundational component of the cloud infrastructure suite of software from VMware. This course demonstrates vSphere features that help reduce your IT costs while improving efficiency, availability, scalability, flexibility, and manageability. The course is based on VMware ESXi 5.0 and VMware vCenter Server 5.0.

By the end of the course, you will be able to explain vSphere 5.0 storage, network, and virtualization concepts and have hands-on experience with the following:

•  Using the VMware vSphere® Client™ to deploy and manage virtual machines
•  Using VMware vSphere® vMotion® to migrate live virtual machines
•  Using vSphere Storage vMotion to migrate live virtual machine data
•  Configuring ESXi clusters to automatically balance virtual machine workloads
•  Hierarchically allocating CPU and memory resources to specific business functions
•  Using vCenter Server alarms and performance graphs to actively monitor the datacenter

 Course data sheet

VMware is rolling out new VCP upgrade paths to promote vSphere 5 training as a way to upgrade from VCP 3 to VCP 5.  Listed below are the key points on the new upgrade paths:

• VCP 3’s can take the What’s New 5 ILT to qualify to take the VCP 5 exam
• Upgrade path is valid until Feb 29th, 2012 
• After Feb 29th, VCP 3’s will have to take ICM 5 to qualify for the VCP 5 exam
• Students in What’s New 5 ILT classes will receive access to the What’s New 4 eLearning to assist them in transition to vSphere 5
• Students do not have to take the eLearning course to qualify for the upgrade path
• Students who have taken a VCP 4 qualifying course, can attend the WN 5 ILT to satisfy the VCP 5 training requirement
• The upgrade path involving taking WN 4 to achieve a VCP 4 and then follow the VCP 4 to 5 upgrade path is still valid

VMware has released the mock exam for VCP on vSphere 5. The VCP5 mock exam consist of 30 questions and is available here. The official VCP5 exam can be scheduled at the end of this month. Check your local VUE test centre for available dates.

With the release of vSphere version 5.0, VMware will also offer two new training courses. These new training courses are still in beta and will be released when vSphere 5.0 becomes general available. The two day “VMware vSphere: What's New [V5.0]” is aimed at current vSphere 4 administrators and the VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.0] is the full five day course. VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 5 VCP5 certification is available at the end of August, more information can be found at vue.com (VCP510). There are different paths to VCP5 certification based on your background. Choose your path and complete the three core validation components:

1.Attend a qualifying VMware authorized course.Already a VCP4? There is no course requirement until February 29, 2012.

2.Gain hands-on experience with VMware vSphere 5.

3.Pass the VCP5 Exam.

VCP5 Exam Blueprint

At the 25th and 26th of August I'll deliver the vSphere 5 What's New training GK Nieuwegein - http://www.globalknowledge.nl/cursussen/vmware/virtualisation/vmwn.html

Ik geef een Nederlandstalige vSphere 5 ICM training bij Global Knowledge in Nieuwegein van 19 sep t/m 23 sep http://bit.ly/qZHkku

VMware vSphere: What's New [V5.0]

This hands-on training course explores new features in VMware vCenter™ Server 5.0 and VMware® ESXi™ 5.0. Topics include VMware vSphere® 5 installation and how to upgrade from vSphere 4.x to vSphere 5.0. vSphere 5.0 is the first version of vSphere to include only the ESXi hypervisor.

Objectives

• List and describe key enhancements in vSphere 5.0
• Upgrade a deployment from vSphere 4.x to vSphere 5.0
• Use Image Builder to modify and export an image profile as part of Auto Deploy
• Use Auto Deploy to Install a stateless ESXi host
• Manage a version 8 virtual machine with the next-generation Web-based VMware vSphere Client
• List and describe key networking enhancements, including the ESXi firewall and new features in vNetwork distributed switches
• Upgrade and manage a VMware vSphere VMFS5 datastore
• Understand and configure policy-driven storage management
• Create a datastore cluster and configure Storage DRS
• Configure a VMware High Availability cluster based on the new Fault Domain Manager agents
• Use the Linux-based VMware vCenter Server Appliance
  

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V5.0]

This hands-on training course explores installation, configuration, and management of VMware vSphere®, which consists of VMware ESXi™ and VMware vCenter™ Server. The course is based on ESXi 5.0 and vCenter Server 5.0. Completion of this course satisfies the prerequisite for taking the VMware® Certified Professional 5 exam.

Objectives

• Install and configure ESXi
• Install and configure vCenter Server components
• Configure and manage ESXi networking and storage using vCenter Server
• Deploy, manage, and migrate virtual machines
• Manage user access to the VMware infrastructure
• Use vCenter Server to monitor resource usage
• Use vCenter Server to increase scalability
• Use VMware vCenter Update Manager to apply ESXi patches
• Use vCenter Server to manage higher availability and data protection

What’s New in VMware vSphere 5?

The second tier of the latest VMware Desktop certification program, VMware Certified Professional 4 – Desktop (VCP4-DT), is now available.

VMware Certified Professional 4 – Desktop (VCP4-DT) is directed toward Virtualization Systems Engineers who seek to demonstrate their ability to install and configure the VMware View environment and enable View Client users. Candidates must also be able to configure the vSphere environment, possess a deep understanding of VMware core components and their relation to storage and networking and be proficient in datacenter design methodologies.

VMware Desktop Certification Overview

VMware Certified Associate 4 – Desktop (VCA4-DT) is the first step toward gaining expertise in desktop virtualization and earning the respect and recognition that comes with being VMware Certified. There are no course requirements in order to take the exam. Learn more and register today.

VMware Certified Professional 4 – Desktop (VCP4-DT): After earning your VCA-DT and VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4, you are ready to take the VCP4-DT exam. If you meet the pre-requirements, register for the VCP4-DT exam before September 1, 2011 and take advantage of the $50 discount. Learn more and register today!

Coming Soon: VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Desktop (VCAP-DT): is directed toward Virtualization Architects who seek to demonstrate their deep knowledge of VMware vSphere and VMware View design. Candidates will be able to expertly manage all aspects of the vSphere and View environments from installation and configuration to maintenance and troubleshooting. Candidates will also possess a deep knowledge of virtualization architectures and components and be able to architect VMware desktop solutions to meet specific customer business requirements.

http://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrReg/plan.cfm?plan=21427&ui=www_cert

This self-paced training course covers the requirements and effects of transitioning your VMware vSphere™ environment to VMware® ESXi. It provides the knowledge necessary to make fundamental design decisions and successfully add ESXi to a deployed vSphere environment. This course is based on ESXi 4.1.

Special Note: For those who prefer to learn this content in a classroom environment, whether virtual or face-to-face, there are several two-day classes scheduled worldwide.  For a fee, you will receive the added value of hands-on lab exercises as well as interaction with fellow students and an instructor.

Module 1: Transition to ESXi Overview
Module 2: Compare and Contrast VMware ESXi and VMware ESX
Module 3: Install and Configure VMware ESXi
Module 4: Script Interfaces and Command Line Tools
Module 5: Performing Management Tasks

Become a true ESXi expert with the new FREE VMware eLearning course and ebook offer!

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

•  Identify ESXi installation and configuration procedures
•  Leverage scripting interfaces to manage ESXi
•  Identify risks when migrating to ESXi
 
Who Should Attend? System administrators, systems engineers, technical support engineers, and consultants responsible for managing and supporting a vSphere installation.

VMware is offering a free second chance if you fail for your first attempt and believe me the exam isn’t easy. I’ve seen a lot of VCP candidates fail at their first attempt. To be eligible for a free second chance, you must use a special promotion code when booking the first one. For a limited time, VMware is giving you a free second chance at the VCP4 exam when you register for a full-priced exam by following the steps below.

• Register to take the VCP4 exam at a Pearson VUE test center for the full price (no discounts apply) using the promotion code: VCPTAKE1.
• If you fail your first exam, simply schedule your “second chance” exam with the promotion code “VCPTAKE2” and it’s free! Please note that this discount will only be valid on retakes of exams that were initially scheduled using the “VCPTAKE1” promotion code and must be taken before July 31, 2011.