This book is dedicated to my wonderful wife Carol; without her continual and selfless support this book would not have been possible. Also to our amazing children, Abigail and Rowan, for not asking too many times why Daddy spends all day and night in his office with all those computers.

—Simon

I'd like to thank my VMware colleagues, Alan Renouf, Christope Decanini, Gary Blake, Timo Sugliani, Adrian Roberts, Duncan Epping, and Kamau Wanguhu, for their editorial contributions to some of the chapters in this book. John McGinn, Stephen Beck, and Matt Stepanski from my management team for being supportive of me taking part in this project. And last but not least, my partner, Jane Seabridge, for putting up with me working late evenings and weekends.

—Aidan