This popular 4-day class is an intensive introduction to the advanced features of VMware vSphere 5.5. Candidates are assuming to have working knowledge of VMware vSphere 4.x or vSphere 5.x. We build on that knowledge through a rapid review of common features followed by in-depth presentations of advanced topics including vSphere 5 performance, availability, scalability and security. 40+ percent of class time is devoted to labs so concepts, skills and best practices are developed and reinforced.

Labs start with installation and configuration of ESXi server, vCenter Server Appliance and Virtual Machines. From there, we look at host and storage performance and scalability topics including Hotplug Virtual Hardware, Profile Driven Storage, DRS, Storage DRS clusters and DRS Power Management. Availability is covered in HA Clusters, VM Fault Tolerance, vSphere Replication and vSphere Data Protection. VM network and operating system security topics are discussed within other topics.

We also cover upgrading your vSphere system by taking you through the steps to upgrade the vCenter Server Appliance, an ESXi host and then Virtual Machines.

This class is unique in its approach; which is to identify and eliminate common IT pain points and then to use virtualization to deliver clear, tangible benefits. Each topic is presented from the perspective of delivering key business value; not just the technical or mechanical aspects of the software.

By the end of the class, attendees will have learned the benefits, skills, and best practices of virtualization. Attendees will be able to effectively design, implement, scale, secure, back up, recover, upgrade, manage and troubleshoot VMware vSphere 5.5 environments.

Attendees should have good familiarity with VMware vSphere 4.x or 5.x. Experience installing, configuring and managing operating systems, storage systems and or networks is useful but not required. We assume that all attendees have a basic familiarity with PC server hardware, disk partitioning, IP addressing, O/S installation, networking, etc.

System Administrators, System Architects, Security Specialists, Performance and Capacity Analysts, Backup Administrators, Business Continuity Specialists, and Storage administrators.