About This Book
Welcome to my vSphere 6 Foundations Exam Official Cert Guide. I’m excited about sharing this information with you to help you prepare to take and pass the vSphere 6 Foundations (2V0-620) exam. My original VCP5-DCV Official Certification Guide, for the VCP510 test, and the follow-up book, Official Cert Guide for VCP5-DCV, for the VCP550 test, have helped many people pass those tests. However, because there have been many changes to the vSphere product over the past four years, I decided to update the book to reflect the new information that you need to know for real life as well as for the new vSphere 6 Foundations test.
I’ve been a technical trainer/consultant for more than 20 years, and I’ve taught thousands of students. Because I teach many of my VMware classes online now, I sometimes tell people that “I teach people I can’t see to use computers that don’t exist in a physical sense.” This book is just an extension of that theme.
Because the test blueprint on VMware’s website, vmware.com/certification, is your best guide for success on the test, I decided, as before, to write this book as directly to the blueprint as possible. This means that we will jump into topics that might seem to be out of place if this is your first look at virtualization. This leads me to my first assumption, which is that this is not your first look at virtualization. The reason I assume this is that you are preparing to take a test that is of a highly technical nature, so it should seem reasonable to assume that you have had prior knowledge and experience with VMware products, either in the workplace or in technical classes like the ones that I teach. It is with this assumption that I can follow the blueprint as it is written, but I will take into account areas where I think there is a need to backfill information so that you can fully understand the topic that I am discussing.
My second assumption is that you have access to a vSphere 6.0 environment or can build yourself a system on which you can practice what we will discuss so that you will retain it better. We all learn in different ways, but I’ve found that many in the IT world learn by doing even more than by hearing. Because this is the case, and because it fits well with the blueprint, there will be many times throughout this book when I walk you through the steps. Therefore, it would be best for you to have a system with at least vCenter 6.0 and a couple of ESXi 6.0 hosts installed that you can use to follow along. You could even do this using Workstation 11 and all virtual machines.
As to what you need to learn and remember, my third assumption is that you don’t want to know everything there is to know about “all things VMware”—just what is important in your situation and what might be on the test. Based on that assumption, I will try my best not to throw in a lot of additional material that makes you wonder whether you need to know it as well. I will not repeat “this would be good to know for the test” throughout this book because that would get monotonous; however, if it is in this book, you can assume that it is fair game for the vSphere 6 Foundations test.
Finally, my last assumption is that you don’t really care how much I know, but what you really care about is whether I can help you learn what you need to know. Toward that end, I will use examples, stories, and analogies to help you understand highly technical topics in a more comfortable manner than you might have experienced before in a technical book. The way I see it, my job is to know this material so well that I can make it easier for you to learn than it was for me to learn. So, if we are all in agreement, let’s get started!
Who Should Read This Book
The VCP certification was recently listed on http://www.techrepublic.com/ as one of the top 10 certifications to hold. If you are currently working with VMware vSphere virtual data centers, it could be a valuable certification for you. If you are considering your options in the IT world, you will not go wrong if you learn about virtualization now. In either case, this book will help you obtain the knowledge and the skills toward becoming a VCP6-DCV, VCP6-NV, VCP6-DTM, or VCP6-CMA.
Goals and Methods
My number-one goal of this book is a simple one: to help you pass the vSphere 6 Foundations test as part of obtaining the status of VMware Certified Professional 6 for Data Center Virtualization, Network Virtualization, Cloud Management and Automation, or Desktop Mobility.
To aid you in gaining the knowledge and understanding of key vSphere topics, I use the following methods:
Opening topics list: This list defines the topics to be covered in the chapter. Each chapter is a part of the exam blueprint, and the chapters and topics are written in blueprint order.
“Do I Know This Already?” quizzes: At the beginning of each chapter is a quiz. The quizzes and answers/explanations (found in Appendix A) are meant to gauge your knowledge of the subjects. If the answers to the questions do not come readily to you, be sure to read the entire chapter.
Key topics: The key topics indicate important figures, tables, and lists of information that you should know for the exam. They are interspersed throughout the chapter and are listed in table format at the end of the chapter.
Review questions: All chapters conclude with a set of review questions to help you assess whether you have learned the key material in the chapter.
Exam-type questions: Exam questions are included with the printed and digital editions of this book. They are written to be as close as possible to the types of questions that appear on the vSphere 6 Foundations exam.
How to Use This Book
Although you could read this book cover to cover, I designed it to be flexible enough to allow you to easily move between chapters and sections of chapters to work on the areas that you feel are the most important for you. If you intend to read all the chapters, the order in the book is an excellent sequence to follow.
The core chapters, Chapters 1 through 23, cover the following topics:
Chapter 1, “Identifying vSphere Architecture and Solutions”: This chapter focuses on various vSphere editions and the features they provide. I also discuss data center solutions that interact with vSphere, architectures for ESXi and vCenter, and new solutions for the vSphere 6.0 environment.
Chapter 2, “Installing and Configuring vCenter Server”: This chapter focuses on the requirements for the vCenter server and its accompanying database. I also discuss sizing the database, licensing the vCenter server, and creating database connections to the vCenter server database.
Chapter 3, “Installing and Configuring ESXi”: This chapter focuses on the requirements for installing ESXi and the methods that you can use. I also cover the configuration of NTP, and DNS. Then I cover licensing an ESXi host.
Chapter 4, “Configuring vSphere Standard Switches”: This chapter focuses on creating and deleting vSphere Standard Switches. I also cover adding, configuring, and removing vmnics and port groups. In addition, I cover configuring vmkernel ports. Finally, I discuss the use case for a vSphere Standard Switch.
Chapter 5, “Configuring vSphere Distributed Switches”: This chapter focuses on vSphere Distributed Switch capabilities and how to make the most of them. I cover creating and deleting a vSphere Distributed Switch, adding, configuring, and removing dvPort groups as well as dvUplink groups, configuring dvPort group settings, and configuring LACP. In addition, I cover migrating virtual adapters to and from a vSphere Standard Switch.
Chapter 6, “Configuring vSS and vDS Features”: This chapter focuses on features that are available on vSSs and those that are available on vDSs. I discuss policies such as dvPort blocking, load balancing, and failover. In addition, I discuss configuring VLAN and PVLAN settings and traffic shaping policies. Finally, I discuss enabling TCP Segmentation Offload, jumbo frames. You will be able to determine the appropriate VLAN configuration for a vSphere implementation.
Chapter 7, “Connecting Shared Storage Devices to vSphere”: This chapter focuses on the various types of storage from which you can choose for your vSphere and environment and on connecting it to your hosts and VMs. I cover storage adapters and devices, storage naming conventions, hardware and software initiators, zoning/masking LUNs, and configuring iSCSI Port Binding. You will be able to successfully choose and connect the appropriate storage options to your vSphere environment.
Chapter 8, “Configuring Software-Defined Storage”: This chapter focuses on the very latest techniques of configuring software-defined storage. I discuss your new options in regard to NFS, VSAN, and VVOLs. You learn about the latest methods of creating shared storage volumes for your vSphere environment.
Chapter 9, “Creating and Configuring VMFS and NFS Datastores”: This chapter focuses on the creation and configuration of VMFS and NFS datastores. I discuss supported NFS versions, storage multipathing, VMFS requirements, and configuring and managing VMFS extents. You learn the appropriate methods of creating and configuring datastores for your vSphere environment.
Chapter 10, “Creating and Deploying Virtual Machines”: This chapter focuses on creating and deploying virtual machines and the methods that you can use. I also discuss the capabilities of virtual machine hardware and DirectPath I/O Passthrough. In addition, I discuss deploying a Guest OS to a VM and configuring CPU and memory resources. You will be able to make informed decisions regarding the deployment of VMs in your environment.
Chapter 11, “Creating and Deploying vApps”: This chapter focuses on creating and deploying vApps. I discuss vApp requirements, cloning and exporting a vApp, and configuring vApp settings. You also learn how to use vApps in your environment.
Chapter 12, “Managing Virtual Machine Clones and Templates”: This chapter focuses on creating, configuring, and managing virtual machine clones and templates. I also discuss configuring virtual machine options and configuring CPU and memory reservations and shares. You will know how to manage VMs, clones, and templates in your environment.
Chapter 13, “Administering Virtual Machines and vApps”: This chapter focuses on administering VMs and vApps. I discuss the files used by VMs and the location options of configuration files and virtual disks. In addition, I cover common practices for securing VMs, configuring IP pools, and managing a content library.
Chapter 14, “Creating and Configuring VMware Clusters”: This chapter focuses on creating and configuring VMware clusters. I discuss issues that relate to DRS and HA. In addition, I discuss adding and removing hosts and VMs on a cluster. You will be able to determine the appropriate failover methodology for your clusters and the required resources for your hosts.
Chapter 15, “Planning and Implementing VMware Fault Tolerance”: This chapter focuses on the configuration of fault tolerance for your VMs. I discuss fault tolerance requirements, new capabilities, and network configuration as it relates to fault tolerance.
Chapter 16, “Creating and Administering Resource Pools”: This chapter focuses on creating and administering resource pools. I discuss the configuration of resource pool attributes, including vFlash architecture. You also learn how to determine resource pool requirements.
Chapter 17, “Migrating Virtual Machines”: This chapter focuses on migrating virtual machines. I discuss the requirements for vMotion and Storage vMotion in regard to your hosts and VMs. In addition, I discuss the very latest options in regard to vMotion, including Enhanced vMotion and Long Distance vMotion. I also discuss snapshots in regard to vMotion and Storage vMotion. You learn best practices in regard to configuring and performing virtual machine migrations.
Chapter 18, “Backing Up and Restoring Virtual Machines”: This chapter focuses on backing up and restoring virtual machines. I discuss VMware Data Protection and the latest changes to it. I also discuss creating, deleting, and consolidating virtual machine snapshots. In addition, I discuss vSphere replication. You also learn methods of keeping your VMs and their data safe.
Chapter 19, “Updating ESXi and Virtual Machines”: This chapter focuses on updating and patching virtual machines. I also discuss managing host profiles. In addition, you learn how to keep your hosts up to date.
Chapter 20, “Performing Basic Troubleshooting of ESXi and vCenter Server”: This chapter focuses on troubleshooting ESXi and vCenter. I discuss troubleshooting guidelines and how to monitor ESXi system health.
Chapter 21, “Performing Basic Troubleshooting of ESXi and vCenter Server Operations”: This chapter focuses on troubleshooting ESXi and vCenter Server Operations. I discuss how to verify the network configuration and resources and troubleshoot common storage and VM issues. In addition, I discuss troubleshooting physical network adapter configuration issues, including checking the knowledge base on the Web.
Chapter 22, “Performing Basic Troubleshooting of Virtual Machine Operations”: This chapter focuses on troubleshooting options caused by improper VM configuration. I discuss resource contention issues, VMware tools issues, and storage issues. You also learn how to identify the root cause of a problem.
Chapter 23, “Monitoring ESXi, vCenter Server, and Virtual Machines”: This chapter focuses on monitoring your hosts, vCenter server, and VMs. I discuss the most common metrics in regard to performance, memory, CPU, networking, and storage. I also discuss monitoring overview and advanced charts. In addition, I cover creating, editing, and deleting a scheduled task.
Chapter 24, “Creating and Administering vCenter Server Alarms”: This chapter focuses on creating and administering vCenter Server alarms. I discuss utilizations alarms as well as connectivity alarms. In addition, you learn about configuring alarm triggers and actions.
Chapter 25, “Installing and Administering vRealize Operations Manager”: This chapter focuses on installing and managing vRealize Operations Manager. I discuss major and minor badges, architecture, and deploying the appliance. You also learn how to determine the effective resource for a given issue.
Chapter 26, “Final Preparation”: This chapter identifies tools for final exam preparation and helps you develop an effective study plan. It contains tips on how to best use the web-based material to study.
Certification Exam and This Preparation Guide
I wrote this book directly to the vSphere 6 Foundations Exam Blueprint. Each chapter of this book is a section of the blueprint, with all its objectives in the same order as the blueprint. This way, you can easily identify your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Table I-1 lists the vSphere 6 Foundations Exam Blueprint objectives and the chapter of this book that covers them.
Book Content Updates
Because VMware occasionally updates exam topics without notice, VMware Press might post additional preparatory content on the web page associated with this book at http://www.pearsonitcertification.com/title/9780789756497. It is a good idea to check the website a couple of weeks before taking your exam, to review any updated content that might be posted online. We also recommend that you periodically check back to this page on the Pearson IT Certification website to view any errata or supporting book files that may be available.
Companion Website
Register this book to get access to the Pearson IT Certification test engine and other study materials plus additional bonus content. Check this site regularly for new and updated postings written by the author that provide further insight into the more troublesome topics on the exam. Be sure to check the box that you would like to hear from us to receive updates and exclusive discounts on future editions of this product or related products.
To access this companion website, follow these steps:
1. Go to www.pearsonITcertification.com/register and log in or create a new account.
2. Enter the ISBN: 9780789756497.
3. Answer the challenge question as proof of purchase.
4. Click the Access Bonus Content link in the Registered Products section of your account page to be taken to the page where your downloadable content is available.
Please note that many of our companion content files can be very large, especially image and video files.
If you are unable to locate the files for this title by following the preceding steps, please visit www.pearsonITcertification.com/contact and select the Site Problems/Comments option. Our customer service representatives will assist you.
Pearson IT Certification Practice Test Engine and Questions
The companion website includes the Pearson IT Certification Practice Test engine—software that displays and grades a set of exam-realistic multiple-choice questions. Using the Pearson IT Certification Practice Test engine, you can either study by going through the questions in Study Mode or take a simulated exam that mimics real exam conditions. You can also serve up questions in a Flash Card Mode, which displays only the question and no answers, challenging you to state the answer in your own words before checking the actual answers to verify your work.
The installation process requires two major steps: installing the software and then activating the exam. The website has a recent copy of the Pearson IT Certification Practice Test engine. The practice exam (the database of exam questions) is not on this site.
Note
The cardboard sleeve in the back of this book includes a piece of paper. The paper lists the activation code for the practice exam associated with this book. Do not lose the activation code. On the opposite side of the paper from the activation code is a unique, one-time-use coupon code for the purchase of the Premium Edition eBook and Practice Test.
Install the Software
The Pearson IT Certification Practice Test is a Windows-only desktop application. You can run it on a Mac using a Windows virtual machine, but it was built specifically for the PC platform. The minimum system requirements are as follows:
Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 client
Pentium-class 1 GHz processor (or equivalent)
512 MB RAM
650 MB disk space plus 50 MB for each downloaded practice exam
Access to the Internet to register and download exam databases
The software installation process is routine compared with other software installation processes. If you have already installed the Pearson IT Certification Practice Test software from another Pearson product, there is no need for you to reinstall the software. Simply launch the software on your desktop and proceed to activate the practice exam from this book by using the activation code included in the access code card sleeve in the back of the book.
The following steps outline the installation process:
1. Download the exam practice test engine from the companion site.
2. Respond to windows prompts as with any typical software installation process.
The installation process gives you the option to activate your exam with the activation code supplied on the paper in the cardboard sleeve. This process requires you to establish a Pearson website login. You need this login to activate the exam, so do register when prompted. If you already have a Pearson website login, there is no need to register again. Just use your existing login.
Activate and Download the Practice Exam
After the exam engine is installed, you should activate the exam associated with this book (if you did not do so during the installation process) as follows:
1. Start the Pearson IT Certification Practice Test software from the Windows Start menu or from your desktop shortcut icon.
2. To activate and download the exam associated with this book, from the My Products or Tools tab, click the Activate Exam button.
3. At the next screen, enter the activation key from the paper inside the cardboard sleeve in the back of the book. Then click the Activate button.
4. The activation process will download the practice exam. Click Next, and then click Finish.
When the activation process completes, the My Products tab should list your new exam. If you do not see the exam, make sure that you have selected the My Products tab on the menu. At this point, the software and practice exam are ready to use. Simply select the exam and click the Open Exam button.
To update a particular exam you have already activated and downloaded, display the Tools tab and click the Update Products button. Updating your exams will ensure that you have the latest changes and updates to the exam data.
If you want to check for updates to the Pearson Cert Practice Test exam engine software, display the Tools tab and click the Update Application button. You can then ensure that you are running the latest version of the software engine.
Activating Other Exams
The exam software installation process and the registration process have to happen only once. Then, for each new exam, only a few steps are required. For instance, if you buy another Pearson IT Certification Cert Guide, extract the activation code from the cardboard sleeve in the back of that book; you do not even need the exam engine at this point. From there, all you have to do is start the exam engine (if it’s not still up and running) and perform Steps 2 through 4 from the previous list.
Assessing Exam Readiness
Exam candidates never really know whether they are adequately prepared for the exam until they have completed about 30 percent of the questions. At that point, if you are not prepared, it is too late. The best way to determine your readiness is to work through the “Do I Know This Already?” quizzes at the beginning of each chapter and review the foundation and key topics presented in each chapter. It is best to work your way through the entire book unless you can complete each subject without having to do any research or look up any answers.
Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests
This book also includes an exclusive offer for 70% off the Premium Edition eBook and Practice Tests edition of this title. Please see the coupon code included with the cardboard sleeve for information on how to purchase the Premium Edition.