As an instructor, I like to have all the material referenced in a class manual available as I prepare for the class and/or when I am preparing to implement the “stuff” we cover in class. So I have gone through the manual and created a page with all the online resources, papers or articles mentioned in the VMware NSX: Install, Configure and Manage [6.4] course in one place.
Category Archives: training
New vRealize Automation v6.2 ICM class page
Recently, I have been busy preparing to teach an online vRealize Automation: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.2] course and working with clients on SDDC/Automation projects. As a result, I have been looking at VMware resources for class and customers and have put together a page with the items referenced in the student manual and other useful links. Among the usual items like the online documentation and KB articles, VMware has excellent product walkthroughs and free elearning courses. The vRealize Automation 6.2 Install, Configure and Manage class resources page is here.
vSphere 6 Install, Configure and Manage web resources page
In preparation for teaching an early access vSphere: Install, Configure and Manage [v6] course this week, I have collected all the web resource links from the student manual onto a single page. Every web link is included, though none are repeated as they are in some sections of the course materials.
The web resources are here.
VMware KB: Creating an NSX logical switch fails with the error: Unable to allocate an available resource
A couple of students mentioned this error during a lab in the VMware NSX: Install, Configure and Manage class this week.
The issue is simple to create and remedy. Logical switches are assigned VNI (VXLAN Number Identifier) from a Segment ID Pool. If the Segment ID Pool is not configured before you try to provision a logical switch then you will get the “Unable to allocate an available resource” error. The resolution is to configure the Segment ID Pool before attempting to create Logical Switches.
New vRealize Operations Manager 6.0 elearning courses available
This morning VMware Education announced the availability of two new free self-paced vRealize Operations Manager 6.0 elearning courses: VMware vRealize Operations Manager Fundamentals [V6.0] and vRealize Operations Manager What’s New [V6.0] Fundamentals.
The first course is an overview of the new features, architecture, key features and management packs for vROPS 6.0. The course is targeted at people who are familiar with VMware technologies and datacenter virtualization, but not necessarily vROPS or previous versions of vCOPS.
The “What’s New” course also covers an overview of vROPS 6.0, new features, architecture and new management packs. Additionally, this course includes information on integration with VMware’s vRealize Log Insight and presents potential use cases illustrating how vROPS 6.0 aligns with customer needs. VMware does suggest familiarity with the previous vCOPS 5.x products as a prerequisite for this course.
Each course contains about 2 hours of content and registration gives you a year of access to the course.
The registration links and outlines are below.
VMware vRealize Operations Manager Fundamentals [V6.0]
Outline:
1. Course Introduction
2. Introduction to vRealize Operations Manager 6.0
3. Architecture and New Deployments of vRealize Operations Manager 6.0
4. Key Functionalities of vRealize Operations Manager 6.0
5. Interoperability and Resulting Solutions
vRealize Operations Manager What’s New [V6.0] Fundamentals
Outline:
1. Course Introduction
– Course Overview
– Navigation
– Course Objectives2. VMware Cloud Management Platform
– Cloud Management Platform Overview
– Evolving Customer Challenges
– Evolving VMware Cloud Management
– Portfolio Positioning
– Benefits of VMware Cloud Management
– Market Opportunity
– vSphere Optimization Assessment
– vOA Benefits
– vOA Execution3. Key Features of vRealize Operations Manager 6.0
– New Features and Enhancements in vRealize Operations Manager 6.0
– Unified User Interface
– Alerting and Remediation
– Alerting Components
– Fixing an Issue
– Integrated Compliance Framework
– Analysis – Compliance Tab
– Customization of Views, Reports, and Dashboards
– Capacity Planning
– Projects
– Policies
– New Group UI and Features
– New Initial Setup Wizard
– User Access Controls
– Access Control Authentication
– Access Control – Object Model
– Mapping Features to Editions4. Platform and Architecture of vRealize Operations Manager 6.0
– New Platform
– New Single vRealize Operations Manager 6.0 Virtual Machine
– Scalability and Scale Out
– GemFire – Shared Memory Cluster
– High Availability and Resiliency
– Upgrade and Migrations
– Remote Collectors
– Deployment Options5. vRealize Operations Manager 6.0 Management Packs
– Solutions Exchange
– Operations Manager Management Packs
– Hyperic Management Pack Updates
– Management Pack for Storage Devices
– vRealize Automation Management Pack
– Tenant Overview Dashboard
– Top N Tenant Dashboard6. Use Cases for vRealize Operations
App Volumes Hands On Lab is now available
Today VMware announced the public availability of
HOL-MBL-1458 -Application Management with VMware App Volumes and Horizon 6
Here is the description of the lab from the announcement:
Get an introduction on App Volumes working in conjunction with Horizon 6, how you can manage and deploy applications, and the benefits it provides with your virtual desktops. This lab will provide you with an introduction to App Volumes when used in conjunction with Horizon 6 with View desktops and RDS hosts. You will find out the benefits of utilizing containers for application management and the simplicity of deploying applications based upon individual users, groups, departments, and company wide as well.
Modules
1. Introduction to App Volumes
2. Application Lifecycle & Delivery
3. User Installed Applications
4. Local Profile Delivery
5. ThinApp Integration
6. Remote Desktop Hosted Apps
7. Rapid Application Deployment
PUBLIC LAB LINKS:
VMware Hands On Labs End User Compute catalog: http://labs.hol.vmware.com/eucsolutions/catalogs/catalog/177
VMware Hand On Labs Main page: http://labs.hol.vmware.com/
Save 15% off VMware vSphere V5.5 Training and get a Free VCP Exam Voucher and a Free Gift
As a VCI, I regularly get asked about free exam vouchers or course discount deals… VMware education has a promotion running now through June 20, 2014 that includes a free VCP exam voucher, a 15% discount on a qualifying course and an additional gift.
If you have been waiting for a “deal” to afford the VCP certification, now is the time to save an get certified!
Save 15% off VMware vSphere V5.5 Training and get a
Free VCP Exam Voucher and a Free Gift

VSAN Deploy and Manage links
Here is a collection of links for resources mentioned in the VMware Virtual SAN: Deploy and Manage [V5.5] Train the Trainer class I am attending this week. Thanks to John Krueger for starting this list and sharing it with us! I plan to add to this list as we go and based on recommendations.
vSphere storage Guide – http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-55/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-551-storage-guide.pdf
vSphere Installation and Setup Guide – http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-55/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-551-installation-setup-guide.pdf
VMware Compatibility Guide for VSAN – https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=vsan
Virtual SAN Datasheet – http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/products/vsan/VMware_Virtual_SAN_Datasheet.pdf
VMware® Virtual SAN™ Design and Sizing Guide – http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/products/vsan/VSAN_Design_and_Sizing_Guide.pdf
VMware Virtual SAN Proof of Concept Guide – http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/products/vsan/VMware_Virtual_SAN_POC_Guide.pdf
VMware Virtual SAN Quick Monitoring & Troubleshooting Reference Guide – http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/products/vsan/VMware_Virtual_SAN_Quick_Monitoring_Reference_Guide.pdf
Virtual SAN YouTube video playlist – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9MeVsU0uG65kM9iszj5KmNj01PiAWgvf
Virtual SAN (VSAN) Beta Webinar – How to Install, Configure & Manage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLfbeFoSQaI
How To Monitor Virtual SAN (VSAN) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHofTkK6K40
HOL-SDC-1308 – Virtual SAN (VSAN) and Virtual Storage Solutions – http://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/#lab/562
VMware Product Walkthrough for VSAN – http://featurewalkthrough.vmware.com/VSAN/
Cormac Hogan’s Blog – http://cormachogan.com/vsan/
Rawlinson Rivera’s Blog – http://www.punchingclouds.com/
Duncan Epping’s Blog – http://www.yellow-bricks.com/virtual-san/ – Duncan has collected a terrific compilation of blog posts related to VSAN!
Essential Virtual SAN (VSAN): Administrator’s Guide to VMware VSAN (VMware Press Technology) – pre-order for Aug. 29, 2014 release
FREE VMware e-learning course on VSAN
Around the office and with customers, I have had a lot of questions about VMware VSAN. VMware Education just released a free online e-learning class for VSAN:
VMware Virtual SAN Fundamentals [V 5.5] – https://mylearn.vmware.com/mgrreg/courses.cfm?ui=www_edu&a=one&id_subject=55806
VMware Virtual SAN Fundamentals [V 5.5] is available to customers free of charge.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
* Introduce concepts related to the architecture and features of VMware virtualized storage.
* Articulate Virtual SAN benefits
* Identify the primary issues associated with Virtual SAN configuration and management
* Understand the primary use cases and customer situations when Virtual SAN is best used, including high level technical qualification criteria.
* Identify VSAN elements
* Enlist the prerequisites needed to configure Virtual SAN.
This training would be valuable for any engineers, salespeople or anyone else who wants a solid foundation for understanding VMware VSAN.
vSphere: What’s New [V4.x to V5.5] supplemental weblinks
Various weblinks from the vSphere: What’s New [V4.x toV5.5] course-
http://packetlife.net/blog/2008/oct/18/cheat-sheets-tcpdump-and-wireshark/
Enabling vSphere Distributed Switch health check in the vSphere Web Client
Enhanced LACP Support on a vSphere 5.5 Distributed Switch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetFlow
http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2011/08/vsphere-5-new-networking-features-netflow.html
http://v-reality.info/2012/02/setting-up-netflow-on-vsphere-distributed-switch/
https://communities.intel.com/community/wired/blog/2010/09/07/sr-iov-explained
http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/12/02/what-is-sr-iov/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l6T7bHNKeo – Flash Read Cache
Click to access VMware-vSphere-Flash-Read-Cache-FAQ.pdf
vSphere tags – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnSzP7kj7E
VDP Direct to Host restore – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF7TnFncsgk