1. Introduction to VMware Virtualization
Module 2

2. Importance
VMware vSphere™ is based on many components that a vSphere administrator should be familiar with. This module describes the basic concept of virtualization, the types of virtualization available from VMware®, and the virtual machine. This module then shows you the fundamental components of vSphere and how vSphere can be used in your datacenter.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

3. Module Objectives Explain the concept of virtualization
Identify the benefits of using a virtual machine
Describe the role of vSphere in the datacenter and the cloud
Describe the role of a vSphere administrator
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

4. What Is Virtualization?
Virtualization is a technology that transforms hardware into software.
Virtualization allows you to run multiple operating systems as virtual machines on a single computer.
Each copy of an operating system is installed into a virtual machine.
Virtualization is not:
Simulation
Emulation
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

5. How Does Virtualization Work?
A virtualization layer is installed. It uses either a hosted or a bare-metal hypervisor architecture.
hosted or bare-metal architecture
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

6. Host Operating System–Based Virtualization
A host-based virtualization system requires an operating system (such as Windows or Linux) to be installed on the computer.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

7. Virtualization Using a Bare-Metal Hypervisor
A bare-metal hypervisor system does not require an operating system. The hypervisor is the operating system.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

8. What Is a Virtual Machine?
From the user’s perspective, a virtual machine is a software platform that, like a physical computer, runs an operating system and applications.
From the hypervisor’s perspective, a virtual machine is a discrete set of files. Main files:
Configuration file
Virtual disk file
NVRAM settings file
Log file
virtual machine
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

9. Why Use Virtual Machines?
Physical machine
Virtual machine
Difficult to move or copy
Bound to a specific set of hardware components
Often has a short life cycle
Requires personal contact to upgrade hardware
Easy to move and copy:
Encapsulated into files
Independent of physical hardware
Easy to manage:
Isolated from other virtual machines
Insulated from hardware changes
Provides the ability to support legacy applications
Allows servers to be consolidated
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

10. Using vSphere
vSphere provides the foundation for any virtual datacenter – small, medium, or large:
Management services:
VMware vCenter™ Suite
Application services:
For availability, security, scalability
Infrastructure services:
VMware ESX™/ESXi
vSphere also provides the major building blocks for VMware vCloud™:
Infrastructure, platform, and software services on demand
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

11. Administering Your vSphere Environment
vSphere administrator
Create a vSphere administration team and define roles and responsibilities for:
Creating virtual components
Monitoring the vSphere environment
Troubleshooting vSphere problems
Managing updates and changes
Teamwork is the key to success.
storage administrator
network administrator
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

12. Module Summary Explain the concept of virtualization
Identify the benefits of using a virtual machine
Describe the role vSphere in the datacenter and the cloud
Describe the role of a vSphere administrator
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

13. Key Points
ESX/ESXi uses virtualization layers based on a bare-metal hypervisor architecture.
vSphere provides a solid foundation for any virtual datacenter.
Administering a vSphere environment requires teamwork and cooperation among all administrators in the IT organization.
VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A