This slim (85 page) and inexpensive ($20) new book, Deploying the VMware Infrastructure, gives an overview over the both VMware’s product portfolio as well the current practice of virtualization. It was written in a collaboratiion between employees both at VMware and VAC partner INX — John Arrasjid (VMware), Daniel Conde (VMware), Karthik Balachandran (VMware), Gary Lamb (INX) and Steve Kaplan (INX). Some of the authors will be signing books Wednesday at noon at the VMworld Bookstore.
I asked co-author John Arrasjid a few questions about the book. John leads our BC/DR professional services practice and has seen the inside of quite a few data centers.
Why did you write this book?
We continue to get questions for an all-in-one reference that covered a description and use for each of our products and details on use cases, ROI, and core VI3.5 implementations. We are constantly being asked for a single place to go other than a website for this type of information. It has two purposes: knowledge transfer for those to virtualization, and how additional VMware technologies can fit into a VMware Infrastructure deployment. After teaching tutorials on VMware technology since about 2005 (USENIX, LISA, VMworld, LinuxWorld, etc.) I started to talk to a number of publishers about the concept. USENIX saw a fit right away given the demand for more information on virtualization technologies. We worked out the content, solicited contributors, and completed the book. This is not a deep dive, it is a technology overview with coverage on the areas we get the most questions about.
Who’s the audience for this book and why should they pick it up?
Part of this answers is in the previous question. Individuals new to virtualization, VMware technology, or the suite of products will benefit.
It’s a technical book, but would my boss understand it?
Your boss is part of the target audience.
Technical books are supposed to be thick! What gives?
All details on installation and configuration can be found in manuals or specific technology books like the Advanced ESX Configuration guide by Harold and Oglesby. We did not want to repeat material that was already available in detail on the configurations. We wanted to focus on the areas that are available but in many places on the web and in manuals so that it was all in one place and written in a language that would appeal to those with and without skills in our technology.
You pack a lot of content into 85 pages. What topic was the hardest to leave out?
Details on some of the newest technologies like VMware Site Recovery Manager, Lab Manager, Software Lifecyle Manager, Stage Manager, and ACE. We cover an overview on each of these areas except for B-hive. All have a big play in an enterprise deployment but this booklet needed to be short to fit the Short Topics in System Administration guidelines. Consider this as focused on the core areas that we deploy: ESX Server, VirtualCenter Server, and VDI/VDM. This covers the server to the desktop in enterprise deployments.
I’ve never bought a book from Usenix & SAGE – will it be available in all the normal places?
Typically USENIX and SAGE have done distribution through their online presence. Digital Guru runs the VMware bookstore and is offering the booklet for pre-order now and will be carrying copies at the VMworld conference.
OK, I read the book and want to get my VCP. Now what should I read next?
You’ll need your training on VI 3.5 and to pass the VCP certification exam. Study the class materials, study the labs, and get hands on! Once you have the VCP you can then move on to the next step which is the VCDX certification. This is the VMware Certified Design Expert and is designed for those architecting VMware Infrastructures.
Fender or Gibson?
I’m a Gibson player but my main axe is a Carvin Custom Shop. That’s what I use when I play with Elastic Sky, or with The Hypervisors, the two VMware bands. Here’s a question for your readers: Do you know the tie-in between Elastic Sky and VMware?
