Preface

Ever since VMware was founded in 1998, it has been creating stable x86 virtualization platforms that allow multiple guest operating systems and applications to run on a single physical server. VMware has truly revolutionized how a datacenter is managed. By consolidating and running more workloads on fewer servers, the datacenter requirements are reduced including space, power, cooling, and cabling. Using virtualization also transforms the way servers are provisioned; virtual machines are deployed within a few minutes rather than the much longer process of deploying physical servers. There's hardly any need to mention that there are many advanced features that improve the availability and continuity of virtual machines.

This book aims at assisting vSphere administrators, new and experienced, to improve their knowledge of virtual machine configuration and administration. This is not meant to replace any vSphere administration or installation guides but merely to supplement them.