VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise

Product Description

VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise

Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers



The Most Complete, Practical, Solutions-Focused Guide to Running ESX Server 3



VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise is the definitive, real-world guide to planning, deploying, and managing today’s leading virtual infrastructure platform in mission-critical environments.



Drawing on his extensive experience consulting on large-scale ESX Server implementations, Edward L. Haletky brings together an unprecedented collection of tips, best practices, and field-tested solutions. More than any other author, he illuminates the real issues, tradeoffs, and pitfalls associated with ESX Server–and shows how to make the most of it in your unique environment.



Haletky covers the entire lifecycle: planning, installation, system monitoring, tuning, clustering, security, disaster recovery, and much more. Throughout, he supports his recommendations with examples from real-world deployments. He also provides detailed checklists for handling crucial issues such as caching, networking, storage, and hardware selection. Many of his techniques and practices apply to all current virtualization platforms, not just ESX Server.



This book will be an indispensable resource for every network architect, administrator, and IT professional who works with virtual servers. ESX Server newcomers will find the soup-to-nuts introduction they desperately need; experienced users will find an unparalleled source of field-tested answers and solutions.



In this book, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify key differences between ESX v3.x.y and ESX v2.5.x and their implications

• Perform a complete installation–with automated scripting techniques and samples

• Efficiently audit, monitor, and secure ESX Server

• Discover SAN storage pitfalls and solutions–with detailed guidance for specific SANs, switches, and fibre-channel adapters

• Understand ESX Server networking: NIC teaming, vSwitches, network lag, and troubleshooting

• Configure ESX Server via the Management User Interface, Virtual Center client, and command line interface

• Install Windows, Linux, and NetWare VMs: prepare media images, place configuration files, handle sizing and swap files, and more

• Use Dynamic Resource Load Balancing to consistently achieve utilization goals

• Implement effective backup and disaster recovery procedures



Edward L. Haletky owns AstroArch Consulting, Inc., a consultancy specializing in virtualization, security, and networking. He has been rated by his peers on the VMware Discussion Forums as a “virtuoso” for his work in answering VMware security and configuration questions. Prior to establishing AstroArch, Haletky was a member of Hewlett-Packard’s Virtualization, Linux, and High-Performance Technical Computing teams. He holds a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University.

Product Details

* Amazon Sales Rank: #16510 in Books
* Published on: 2008-01-08
* Original language: English
* Number of items: 1
* Binding: Paperback
* 576 pages

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edward L. Haletky graduated from Purdue University with a degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Since then, he has worked programming graphics and other lower-level libraries on various UNIX platforms. Edward recently left Hewlett-Packard, where he worked on the Virtualization, Linux, and High- Performance Technical Computing teams. He owns AstroArch Consulting, Inc., providing virtualization, security, and network consulting and development. Edward is very active (rated Virtuoso by his peers) on the VMware discussion forums providing answers to security and configuration questions.

Customer Reviews

Great Basic Book on ESX4
This book was useful both as a reference book to look up individual topics (I used it that way specifically for storage and network information) and to read as a guide/introduction to ESX. The author has a very in depth knowledge of the environment and the options available to anyone implementing the technology. It is laid out logically so that you can get the information you need subject (chapter) by subject.

I would say that the main drawback to the book is that sometimes it felt like I got right up the more advanced information that I was looking for and was informed that the options are available but had limited information to guide you in using/configuring or best practices for even choosing some of the more advanced settings.

I think overall this is an extremely useful book for someone just entering the ESX world, and for users who have not already been immersed in an ESX environment. Even for those people who are more advanced with the product it is a good added resource but may not fill all of your needs for more advanced features.

An excellent real-world guide5
VMWARE ESX SERVER IN THE ENTERPRISE: PLANNING AND SECURING VIRTUALIZATION SERVERS is an excellent real-world guide to planning and managing modern virtual infrastructure platforms, and is a pick for college-level libraries strong in computer networking studies. Many techniques and practices seemingly unique to the ESX server system apply to all current virtualization platforms, not just ESX - which lends this title value beyond its apparent specialty focus.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Excellent primer for integration 4
If you are looking at implementing virtualization in your hosting facility, I think the book is worth it's weight in gold. It discusses issues that every integrator is going to run into during requirement gathering, concept, design and implementation of projects involving client server architecture. This is a very hot topic which seems to be focus of every organization, and this books gives you the tools you need to discuss related issue intelligently. I would recommend it.