Eric Sloof - Entries from February 2015

Friday, February 6. 2015

Leveraging NIC Technology to Improve Network Performance in VMware vSphere

VMware vSphere is constantly evolving to add many new features and functionality to incorporate the latest technology, and one area of this trend is network performance.

vSphere supports a variety of network interface controllers (NICs). Each NICs primary job is to deliver packets in and out of the host - however, NICs also include technology that vSphere can leverage to perform network transfer faster and more efficiently.

This paper examines scenarios of virtual machines sending and receiving network traffic across different hosts and how vSphere can take advantage of the NIC technology to improve network performance in a vSphere environment

Using the VMware Mirage API to Develop Your Own Front-End Interfaces

VMware Mirage 5.1, released in September 2014, includes a new and exciting feature: the Mirage API, which lets you develop your own front-end interfaces to the Mirage infrastructure.

This feature can make it easier to manage your endpoint devices. In addition, you can integrate your Mirage environment with third-party systems, such as scheduling and automation systems, to improve Mirage administrator efficiency and reduce the potential for manual errors.

This document contains some guidelines and best practices for developing applications that use the Mirage API.

Thursday, February 5. 2015

New Training Course - VMware NSX: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.1] - BETA

Just a quick heads-up regarding the NSX training course. VMware is planning on releasing a new version. This comprehensive, fast-paced training course focuses on installing, configuring, and managing VMware NSX 6.1.

This course covers NSX as a part of the software-defined data center platform, implementation use cases along with features of NSX, and functionality operating at Layer 2 through Layer 7 of the OSI model.

Lecture and hands-on lab activities support the student’s understanding of NSX features, functionality, and on-going management and control.

VMware NSX: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.1] - BETA - Course Datasheet

Wednesday, February 4. 2015

Available for pre order - Mastering VMware vSphere 6

Mastering VMware vSphere 6 is the fully updated edition of the bestselling guide to VMware’s virtualization solution. With comprehensive coverage of this industry-leading toolset, this book acts as an informative guide and valuable reference.

Step-by-step instruction walks you through installation, configuration, operation, security processes, and much more as you conquer the management and automation of your virtual environment.

Written by certified VMware vExperts, this indispensable guide provides hands-on instruction and detailed conceptual explanations, anchored by practical applications and real-world examples.

This book is the ultimate guide to vSphere, helping administrators master their virtual environment. Learn to:

Install, configure, and manage the vCenter Server components
Leverage the Support Tools to provide maintenance and updates
Create and configure virtual networks, storage devices, and virtual machines
Implement the latest features to ensure compatibility and flexibility
Manage resource allocation and utilization to meet application needs
Monitor infrastructure performance and availability
Automate and orchestrate routine administrative tasks

Mastering VMware vSphere 6

Tuesday, February 3. 2015

New Technical White Paper - What’s New: VMware Virtual SAN 6.0

The new VMware Virtual SAN 6.0 is a second-generation hypervisor-converged enterprise-class storage solution for vSphere-virtualized infrastructures that combines the compute and storage resources of vSphere hosts.

With it’s two supported architectures hybrid and all-flash, Virtual SAN 6.0 is able to satisfy the demands of all virtualized applications, including business-critical applications.

Virtual SAN 6.0 is a VMware-designed storage solution that makes software-defined storage a reality for VMware customers that delivers radically simple, hypervisor converged storage for virtual machines.

What’s New: VMware Virtual SAN 6.0

New Technical White Paper - What’s New in the VMware vSphere 6.0 Platform

VMware vSphere 6.0 introduces many enhancements to VMware vSphere Hypervisor, VMware virtualmachines, VMware vCenter Server, virtual storage, and virtual networking.

This paper will discuss these improvements that further extend the core capabilities of the vSphere platform.

What’s New in the VMware vSphere 6.0 Platform

VCP6 foundation exam will be available online

I'm a bit curious after reading the VMware Certification Roadmap for 2015 especially the part which is mentioning the online VCP 6 certification. It states: An online Foundation exam that covers the basics of virtualization and combines with elective exam to validate skills in a specific solution track.

Some of you already used the online format to upgrade from 5.0 to 5.5. This delta exam will be available until March 10, but I never expected the regular VCP exam to go online in the future too.

So to become VCP we need the following certification requirements: Qualifying course + Foundation exam + Solution track exam

I don't know if the Solution track exam will be online too. More classes, including advanced courses, will be offered that meet the ‘qualifying course’ required for certification.

VCAP is dead long live VCAP

The new VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX) level focuses on multi-faceted implementation roles and includes both advanced Administration and Design skills. VCIX replaces the current VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) level and provides more thorough validation of a candidate’s skills and knowledge. Additional changes include:

VCIX certification is comprised of two separate exams – one focused on Administration and one focused on Design
The VCIX Design exam will be available at more PearsonVue testing locations
VCIX Design exams have been shortened from 4 to 2 hours. The decreased time does not reflect ease of the exam, but is the result of the exam focusing on new topics only and does not include those covered by prior exams
Elite status for candidates who complete multiple VCIX certifications

VMware Certification Roadmap for 2015

New Training Course - VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V6]

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage is our best-selling course. It features intensive hands-on training that focuses on installing, configuring, and managing VMware vSphere 6, which includes VMware ESXi 6 and VMware vCenter Server 6. This course will give you a solid understanding of how to administer a vSphere infrastructure for an organization of any size.

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V6]

New Training Course - VMware vSphere: What's New [V5.5 to V6]

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage is our best-selling course. It features intensive hands-on training that focuses on installing, configuring, and managing VMware vSphere 6, which includes VMware ESXi 6 and VMware vCenter Server 6.

This course will give you a solid understanding of how to administer a vSphere infrastructure for an organization of any size.

VMware vSphere: What's New [V5.5 to V6]

(Page 2 of 3, totaling 25 entries)

Friday, February 6. 2015

Thursday, February 5. 2015

Wednesday, February 4. 2015

Tuesday, February 3. 2015

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