VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 1

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M O D U L E 1
Course Introduction 1
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2 VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage
Importance
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Module 1 Course Introduction 3
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Learner Objectives
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4 VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage
You Are Here
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Module 1 Course Introduction 5
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Typographical Conventions
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6 VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage
What Is vSphere Enterprise?
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VMware vSphere is an infrastructure virtualization suite that provides virtualization, management,
resource optimization, application availability, and operational automation capabilities in an
integrated package.
vSphere virtualizes and aggregates the underlying physical hardware resources across multiple
systems and provides pools of virtual resources to the datacenter.
In addition, vSphere provides a set of distributed services that enable detailed, policy-driven
resource allocation, high availability, and scalability of the entire virtual datacenter.
NOTE
This course focuses on VMware vSphere Enterprise Edition. The features available in VMware
vSphere Enterprise Plus Edition are discussed in VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale class
available at http://mylearn.vmware.com/portals/www/search/findcourse.cfm?ui=www. (To see other
vSphere course offerings, go to this url.)
Module 1 Course Introduction 7
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VMware Certification
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The VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 5 (VCP5) certification is for people who want to
demonstrate their expertise in virtual infrastructure and increase the potential for career
advancement. This certification is designed to teach you what you must install, manage, and deploy
vSphere.
Becoming a VCP5 is a straightforward, three-step process:
1. Attend a qualifying VMware authorized course to gain hands-on experience. This course
satisfies this requirement.
2. Gain hands-on experience with vSphere 5.X. People who do not have hands-on experience find
it difficult to pass the exam.
3. Pass the VCP5 exam. To register to take this exam, contact Pearson VUE, a third-party testing
center, at http://www.pearsonvue.com/vmware.
This course gives you critical information that you need for the exam, but it does not give you
everything. VMware recommends that you take the vSphere Optimize and Scale class in addition to
this one.
8 VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage
To best prepare for this exam, use the VCP5 exam blueprint as a study guide. The blueprint includes
the list of topics in the exam and references for these topics. Hands-on experience is a key
component to passing the exam. To obtain the latest exam blueprint, go to the VMware
Communities documents Web page at http://communities.vmware.com/docs. Search the site for
VCP 5 Exam Blueprint.
NOTE
You can search for the certification blueprints using this method.
After you achieve VCP status, you are eligible to pursue the next level of certification: VMware
Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP). This program is available in Datacenter Administration
(DCA) or Datacenter Design (DCD) or both. This program is appropriate for VCPs who are ready to
enhance their skills with the virtual infrastructure and add industry-recognized credentials to their
list of accomplishments.
DCA is for system administrators, consultants, and technical support engineers who can demonstrate
their skills in vSphere and VMware vCenter datacenter technologies. These participants should
also be able to demonstrate their knowledge of application and physical-infrastructure services and
their integration with the virtual infrastructure.
DCD is directed toward IT architects and consulting architects who are capable of designing
VMware solutions in a large, multisite enterprise environment. They have a deep understanding both
of VMware core components and their relation to storage and networking, and of datacenter design
methodologies. They also know applications and physical infrastructure, as well as their relationship
to the virtual infrastructure.
After you achieve DCA and DCD status, you are eligible to pursue the highest level of certification:
VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX). This elite group includes design architects who are
highly skilled in VMware enterprise deployments. The program is designed for veteran
professionals who want to validate and demonstrate their expertise in VMware virtual infrastructure.
To check whether a particular certification is available for your vSphere version, go to the
certification Web page at http://mylearn.vmware.com/portals/certification.
Module 1 Course Introduction 9
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VMware Online Resources
Slide 1-8
Making full use of VMware technical resources will save you time and money. Look first at the
extensive VMware Web-based resources. The VMware Communities Web page provides tools and
knowledge to help users maximize their investment in VMware products. VMware Communities
provides information about virtualization technology in technical papers, documentation, a
knowledge base, discussion forums, user groups, and technical newsletters.
The VMware Support page provides a central point from which you can view support offerings,
create a support request, and download products, updates, drivers and tools, and patches.
You can view the course catalog as well as the latest schedule of courses offered worldwide at the
VMware Education page. This page also provides access information about the latest advanced
courses offered worldwide.
For quick access to communities, documentation, downloads, support information, and more, install
the VMware Support Toolbar, a free download available at http://vmwaresupport.toolbar.fm.
Periodically check the VMware Education Services Web page for the current list of released
courses.
10 VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage
vSphere Product Documentation
Slide 1-9
vSphere documentation is available on the VMware Web site at http://www.vmware.com/support/
pubs/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-pubs.html.
From this page, you have access to all the vSphere guides, which also include guides for optional
modules or products.