VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 1

The First Volume of Our VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Course Features an Unprecedented Lineup of Instructors Including vExpert David Davis, vExpert Hal Rottenberg, and vExpert Rick Scherer.

This Course Includes All of the Following:

Instant Online Access Begin Streaming Your Training Immediately
Physical Media Shipped Directly to Your Doorstep For Free, Worldwide

Certified Instruction:

David Davis VCP5, VCAP-DCA, vExpert, CCIE #9369
Hal RottenbergvExpert, Microsoft MVP: Windows PowerShell, 2009-2010
Rick ScherervExpert, VCDX, VCP

$297
Paying with Purchase Order?
View Outline
Our Total Experience Guarantee is Very Simple

If you are not satisfied with our training, our service, or our support FOR ANY REASON, return your course within 90 days for a FULL REFUND (up to $397). You have my word.

Scott Skinger Founder & President of TrainSignal, Inc.

Overview

Mobile On-Demand Training Train Where You Want, When You Want
Additional Training Formats High Resolution Video, MP3 Audio and PDF of Instructor Notes
Watch a Demo

Learn Desktop Virtualization, Command Line Administration, Virtual Networking with the Cisco Nexus 1000V, and Much More!

By David Davis vExpert, VCP, CCIE #9369, CWNA, MCSE, CISSP, Linux+

This is the first in a series of collaborative VMware vSphere training courses meant to elevate your vSphere knowledge to an expert level.

Myself, Hal, and Rick are three of the world’s top 300 VMware users and have been designated as vExperts by VMware, to recognize our achievements in the world of virtualization.

With our VMware vSphere Pro Series training Volume 1, you will receive intensive, detailed training on each of our specific areas of expertise within VMware vSphere.

More specifically, this training course was created to teach you the tips and tricks you need to know to utilize VMware vSphere like a vExpert.

Professional Training

Nearly 11 Hours (10 Hours, 39 Minutes, 50 Seconds) of VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 1 Videos Jam Packed on 2 DVDs!
Multiple File Formats Make it convenient for you to learn anywhere you go! iPod Video, Mp3 Audio, .WMV & high quality .AVI video
PDF of Instructor Notes allow you to follow along with the videos and take more organized notes
Instant Access Online to the entire training course

Course Outline

VMware View & ThinApp

Lesson 1 - Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Overview - Understanding the Options

You have probably used or are familiar with server virtualization. Now, virtualizing desktops is the next step in your virtualization process and this video will show you the various options that are available in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure to accomplish your desktop virtualization goals.

What is VDI?
Why Should You Use VDI?
VDI Network Diagrams
Thin Clients
VDI vs. Terminal Services
The Most Popular VDI Options

Lesson 2 - Introduction to VMware View 4

VMware View is the #1 desktop virtualization product available and in this video you will learn exactly what VMware View can do for your organization and the best possible way to prepare to install VMware View 4.

What Does View Offer You?
Return on Investment
Requirements to Use View 4
View 4 Components
View 4 Administrator Console and Client Display
How to Evaluate and Download View
View Resources

Lesson 3 - Installing VMware View 4

In this video you will create a plan to install VMware View. Plus, you will work hands-on to install VMware View 4 and its components.

Planning Your View Infrastructure
Advanced View Topics
Requirements to Install View Connection Server
Installing the View Connedtion Server
Installing View Composer
Preparing a Guest OS to be a Virtual Desktop
Installing the View Agent
Installing the View Client

Lesson 4 - Deploying Virtual Desktops with View

In this video you will learn how to add an individual virtual desktop and point your virtual desktop to a virtual machine. Plus, you will learn how to use the VMware View Client to connect to that virtual desktop. By working through this process you will actually end up testing the entire View infrustructure that you’ve worked to create thus far.

Adding Virtual Desktops
Assigning Desktop Sources
Creating Entitlements for Desktops

Lesson 5 - Automated Virtual Desktop Deployment with View Pools

In this video you will learn how to use a golden virtual machine snapshot to be used by VMware Composer to roll out the Automated View Pool. Plus, you will work hands-on with the View Client and web based View Portal to test the pool you’ve just created.

Taking a Snapshot of the Golden Virtual Machine
Creating Automated View Pools
Giving Entitlements to Users and Groups
Testing Pools in the View Client and View Portal

Lesson 6 - Adding a Terminal Services Pool in View

If you are already using Terminal Services then you will want to take advantage of the option to add a Terminal Services Desktop Pool. In this video you will work hands-on to Add a Terminal Services Pool in order to give your end users the flexibility to connnect to individual View Virtual Desktops or a Windows Server 2008 Remote Desktop Server/Terminal Server.

Benefits of Terminal Services Desktop Pools
Adding TS Desktop Pools
Entitling TS Pools
Testing TS Pools in View Client

Lesson 7 - Understanding View Composer Linked Clones

In this video you will learn how View Composer helps you to save disk space and to roll out desktop images. Plus, you will work hands on to upgrade multiple desktops to Windows 7 in under 10 minutes!

How View Composer Helps You
View Composer Replicas
Desktop Recomposition
Desktop Refresh
Upgrading Multiple Desktops to Windows 7 in Under 10 Minutes

Lesson 8 - Introduction to ThinApp 4

In this video you will learn how to utilize ThinApp to avoid application conflicts and run multiple revisions of the same application. Plus, you will learn how to utilize ThinApp so that you won’t have to install applications on end user desktops ever again!

What is Application Virtualization?
How Can ThinApp Help You?
What Makes ThinApp Unique?
How Does ThinApp Fit in with Other Types of Virtualization?
ThinApp Usage Scenarios
Four Steps to Virtualizing an Application with ThinApp

Lesson 9 - Installing ThinApp

In this video you will learn how to properly prepare for a ThinApp installation. Plus, you will work hands-on to install ThinApp on your own virtual machine.

Requirements to Use ThinApp
Why You Need a ""Pristine OS""
What Can and Cannot Be Virtualized
Downloading and Installing ThinApp and VMware Workstation
Installing ThinApp on the Virtual Machine
Taking a Snapshot of the Pristine OS

Lesson 10 - Virtualizing Applications with ThinApp

In this video you will work to virtualize Office 2007 with ThinApp. You can use this same process to virtualize any application! Plus, you will work hands-on to create a ThinApp library of virtual applications that can be run across multiple operating systems.

Four Steps to Virtualizing Office 2007
Prescanning the Clean OS
Installing and Configuring the Applications
Postscan
Choosing Options and Building the Package
Post-Capture Customization
Testing the Application
Building a ThinApp Application Library

Cisco Nexus 1000V VMware vSphere Third-Party Virtual Distributed Switch

Lesson 1 - Getting Started with the Nexus 1000V

The Cisco Nexus 1000V is Cisco’s powerful add-on network switch for VMware vSphere. In this video you will learn the details of what the Cisco Nexus 1000V is and how it is used. Plus, you will learn how to obtain and install the Cisco Nexus 1000V Virtual Supervisor Module.

vNetwork Review
Cisco Nexus 1000V Overview
Cisco Nexus 1000V VSM Requirements
Cisco Nexus 1000V VSM Installation

Lesson 2 - Integrating the Cisco Nexus 1000V with vCenter Server

In this video you will use a Java based utility to finalize the VSM installation. Plus, you will work hands-on to install your own VEM on an ESX Host and then add that ESX Host to the N1KV dvSwitch.

Final Configuration of the VSM
Installing the VEM on the ESX Host
Adding an ESX Host to the N1KV dvSwitch
Verifying Installation

Lesson 3 - High Availability Options for the Cisco Nexus 1000V

In this video you will learn how to properly utilize the high availability options of the Cisco Nexus 1000V to limit the impact of hardware and software failures.

Nexus 1000V HA Options
Service-Level High Availability
Process Restartability
Network-Level High Availability
Installing a Secondary VSM and Linking it to Existing VSM

Lesson 4 - Configuring Port Profiles on the Cisco Nexus 1000V

Port-Profiles contain all the necessary information for network access. In this video you will work hands-on to configure the different port profiles to properly utilize the benefits of each.

Creating Uplink Port-Profile
Creating VM Port-Profile
Adding ESX Host to a N1KV and Migrating the Service Console to the N1KV
Removing the ESX Host from the N1KV

Managing VMware vSphere with PowerCLI

Lesson 1 - Introduction to Power CLI

In this video you will learn how PowerCLI will help harness the power of scripting and automation from a real-world perspective. Plus, you will work hands-on to download and install PowerCLI.

Videos in this Series
What is PowerCLI?
PowerCLI Window
How Does PowerCLI Work?
Why Learn PowerCLI?
Downloading the Toolkit
Installing PowerCLI
The PowerCLI Console

Lesson 2 - PowerShell Basics

In this video you will learn the basics you need to know to use Windows PowerShell. Plus, you will work through real-world PowerShell demonstrations, so that you are able to understand and apply the core concepts of PowerShell in your own virtual environment.

PowerShell the Command-Line Interface
PowerShell the Script Engine
Variables
Automatic Variables
Operators
Cmdlets
Parameters
Typing Savers for the CLI
The Pipeline
Flow Control
Object-Oriented Scripting
Reading a PowerShell Script
Integrated Scripting Environments (ISE) and More
Other Resources

Lesson 3.1 - PowerCLI Concepts - Part 1

In this video you will work hands-on with the many components of PowerCLI to connect to and manage your vSphere environment.

Support Matrix
vSphere Object Model
Managed Objects
Automation Objects
Connecting to vSphere and vCenter
PowerCLI Cmdlets
Inventory and Reporting
Deployment and Configuration
Maintenance and Operations
Removing Snapshots
Starting and Stopping VMs
Troubleshooting and Problem Resolution
Examining Virtual Machines

Lesson 3.2 - PowerCLI Concepts - Part 2

In this video you will complete several hands-on demonstrations that involve working with objects in PowerShell. Then, you will learn how these objects are applied to PowerCLI.

The Pipeline
Examining Objects
Filtering Objects
Exporting Data Using Export-CSV Cmdlet
Exporting Data Using ConvertTo-HTML Cmdlet
Reporting Features within vEcoshell
Using the vSphere API

Lesson 4 - Power CLI in the Real World

In this video you will work through several different real-world demonstrations including building a Virtual Farm, finding old snapshots and creating linked clones.

When to Script?
From Console to Script
Build a Virtual Farm
Script to Create a New Farm
Find Old Snapshots
First Script for Finding Old Snapshots
Second Script for Finding Old Snapshots
Created Linked Clones
Script for Creating a Linked Clone
Quick Tips and One-Liners

Lesson 5 - PowerCLI Cmdlet Deep Dives

In this video you will take a detailed look at some PowerCLI Cmdlets and you will learn how the different parameters of these Cmdlets work to help you control your virtual infrastructure from the command line. Plus, you will work hands-on to create new and cloned virtual machines using the New-VM Cmdlet.

Deep Dive into New-VM
Create New Virtual Machines from Scratch
Creating a Virtual Machine
Clone an Existing Virtual Machine
Cloning a Virtual Machine
Create a Virtual Machine Based on a Template
Deploying a Template
Register an Existing Virtual Machine
Registering a Virtual Machine
New-VM - Other Features
Read the vCenter Event Log with Get-VIEvent
Using Get-VIEvent
Event Properties
Working with Event Objects

Certified Instruction

David Davis (VCP5, VCAP-DCA, vExpert, CCIE #9369)

David has been in the IT industry for over 18+ years. He has served as a server/network admin, IT manager, and independent contractor. Today, David is a full-time instructor for TrainSignal.com where he has created over 10 different IT training courses.

Additionally, he has written hundreds of IT articles on the Internet, written for Virtualization Review magazine, served as a judge at VMware product competitions, and spoke on virtualization at conferences in the USA, Canada, and Europe. David's "real-world" experience combined with his diversity of skills (Virtualization, Windows Server, & Cisco Networking) gives you a powerful learning resource that can't be matched.

Courses Instructed by David Davis

Hal Rottenberg (vExpert, Microsoft MVP: Windows PowerShell, 2009-2010)

Hal Rottenberg is a system engineer, Microsoft PowerShell MVP, and VMware vExpert living in Woodstock, Georgia. He has over thirteen years of experience in IT while working for such large enterprises as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and The Home Depot. When it comes to IT, Hal’s passions are automation and virtualization.

He is well-known in sysadmin circles for co-hosting the PowerScripting Podcast, and heading up the PowerShellCommunity organization. He is also the author of a book titled "Managing VMware Infrastructure with PowerShell: TFM" published by SAPIEN Press in 2009.

Previous to his career as a PowerShell guru, Hal was heavily involved in the Jabber / XMPP instant messaging protocol community as a member of the Jabber Software Foundation (now called the XMPP Standards Foundation). He remains involved in that space to a lesser extent in his long-running capacity as webmaster for the Psi project, which is an extremely popular (average of 1,500 downloads a day) instant messaging client which works on the XMPP network.

When not being a major geek, Hal enjoys coaching his boys in soccer, and spending time with his lovely wife to whom he has been married since 1997.

Courses Instructed by Hal Rottenberg

Rick Scherer (vExpert, VCDX, VCP)

Rick Scherer is a Sr. VCE Architect located in Southern California. Working with VMware virtualization products for over 7 years he has designed and deployed environments of all sizes.

Rick has deployed over 200 ESX hosts and over 6,000 virtual machines, including virtualizing business critical applications such as SAP, SQL and Exchange.

In 2009 he was awarded with the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) certification, a feat only shared with a select few around the world. You can contact Rick by visiting his website at www.vmwaretips.com.

FAQ

VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 1 - FAQ

Am I qualified to take this course?: YES! If you are a middle to upper level enterprise network administrator, and/or have taken our VMware vSphere Training course and have done hands-on work with vSphere, you’ll benefit from this in-depth course!
Do I need any special equipment to complete this training course?: NO! All you need is a computer with Internet Explorer and a media player; however, working hands-on with VMware vSphere may enhance your training experience. You can download a free 60 day evaulation of VMware vSphere from www.vmware.com if you would like to use vSphere to follow along with the course demonstrations.

Order VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 1 Now!

$297

"Loved your ESX Server training videos!": Thanks to you, I secured a position with a huge insurance firm looking after their VI of 60+ hosts and 100s of guests.
Michael Reilly United Kingdom
"I was a new to virtualization when I bought your video... After watching this video I was able to setup a VMware ESX server...": I purchased the VMware ESX Server course to improve hands on skills for a current job.

I was a new to virtualization when I bought your video. The intro to Virtualization was great.

Planning & Installing helped me learn how to select the right hardware. ESX Server Security is excellent on teaching the concepts of ESX Virtualization Security and the Virtual Networking Lab was outstanding on teaching me about Single-NIC, redundant & load balancing, and DMZ with router\firewall.
Richard Rosenzweig
"After watching the video, I can configure and install without any documentation...": I have been tasked with taking care of all our IDC servers consolidation with VMware. I received training from VMware, but only with ESX 2.5.

Because I was familiar with TrainSignal Training Videos, I had to get my hands on the video. I upgraded my servers from 2.5 to 3.0x and the architect was different, so therefore I ran into a lot of issues.

I needed the training to enhance my skills with ESX installation and configuration, and the video interaction is very good.

After watching this video I was able to setup a VMware ESX server.

The training has helped me become more confident in configuring the server because the hands-on training is such a great tool. I don’t have to memorize or read alot of documents in order to do this. It is so easy with the help of watching someone configure and go through the process.

After watching the video, I can configure and install without any documentation and I’m aware of all the "gotchas".

Thank you,
Tai Nguyen
"The Executives were looking for someone to fill that position and their first choice was my name. I truly owe your training for my fast growth in the company...": I took this course for improving my hands on skills for the current job. I like to improve them with initiation on my own rather than wait on company sponsored trainings.

I know this will help me in getting better jobs in the future. Education never goes to waste in my opinion and any money spent on education should be treated as an investment and not an expense.

It sure did help me as I implemented a few things I learnt through your course in my company. It got instant recognition in my company and I got more challenging work. In a short time it so happened that the manager moved on to a different job and left that post vacant.

The Executives were looking for someone to fill that position and their first choice was my name. I truly owe your training for my fast growth in the company.

I am not sure who all bought this software among my friends, but I have already recommended this software to many of my friends. Not just the software but also your site; I asked them to check out other stuff available too.
Viswanadh Tatavarthy
"I am very pleased with the content and the instructor.": I bought the Vmware ESX training CD and I am very pleased with the content and the instructor. I will definitely consider TrainSignal next time I need a training CD.
Brian Boyter
"David is by far the best instructor I’ve ever had.": I am taking your VMware vSphere video training course, and David is by far the best instructor I’ve ever had.

His no nonsense, straight to the point lecturing is an absolute breath of fresh air.

His clear and concise explanations show that he knows exactly what he’s talking about.

This course makes me want to use his training courses only...just wow!
Amnon Feiner Network Admin, Ladco Leasing, California
"The new feature set in ESX was explained very thoroughly with very few questions left unanswered...": I purchased this course because I am looking to get certified on the VMware ESX server and to also give me more hands on skills. I have used your courses in the past and they seem to be very well put together.

The course for VMware ESX has put me closer to my goal. Has given me some very good experience on the look and feel before I did the implementation.

The new feature set in ESX was explained very thoroughly with very few questions left unanswered.

The instruction was put together very well and show a few tricks that you might not of known about otherwise.
Ron G Knox Senior Systems Engineer, MCP,MCSA,MCSE, Ice-O-Matic, www.iceomatic.com
"We recently setup a 2nd server and needed a refresh on the partitioning and install procedure – the training course helped us review this by walking through the process...": I purchased this to refresh skills taken from a hands on course and to see if there were other things I could learn about the product. I did not purchase the product to complete a certification. I purchased it to offer a visual review of items we at times need to refresh on.

We recently setup a 2nd server and needed a refresh on the partitioning and install procedure – the training course helped us review this by walking through the process.

We have used it several times for this need and it has been of value and helped with what we expected it to.

The course has helped me with exactly what I had hoped, I have been able to review items that needed review and refresh my skills. I need to take more time and complete the entire course to compare the hands on course to the CD based course.

Thanks,
Quinn Fowers Manager, Information Technologies, FMC Technologies
"The course helped us better understand the hardware requirements for VMWare ESX server and how to better configure our virtual machines to improve performance...": I purchased this course to mprove skills for the current job. Currently using VMWare ESX server, but not as proficient with it as we’d like to be.

The course helped us better understand the hardware requirements for VMWare ESX server and how to better configure our virtual machines to improve performance.

I rate the course four (4) our of five (5) stars. The TrainSignal ESX server course helped in the following ways:

1.) Helped us better evaluate hardware needs for virtual servers and virtual machines

2.) Helped us better configure virtual servers and machines to improve performance

3.) Enabled us to be more effective in planning our ESX environment

4.) Enabled us to be more effective in building and managing virtual machines.
Joshua Putnam Peskay Director of Information Technology, FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 121 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10013, www.fcny.org
"Because time was a factor I needed to learn the material in a short period and TrainSignal was able to do that...": AMHC is looking at consolidating and configuring our environment utilizing a virtualization approach. TrainSignal is an excellent resource to learn the material the fastest.

Because time was a factor I needed to learn the material in a short period and TrainSignal was able to do that. The material is organized in a way that is easy to learn.

I also like the fact that the instructor provides you with additional websites to obtain information about the product. Having the notes is also helpful because I am able to print each chapter and document the important areas that the instructor highlights.

The instructor is right to the point and I like how the examples are real-world scenarios. Other trainings will elaborate on discussions and will sometimes include material that is not related to the training.
Jason Cyr
"I knew I could rely on TrainSignal to provide usable information as I’ve used your other CBT’s to assist with Windows server projects such as File Server and Active Directory...": I purchased the VMware ESX server course to improve hands on skills in installing the system. After doing demo work with the ESX system I was left with questions and wanted to see how your TrainSignal instructors set it up and what tips I could gather through your videos.

I knew I could rely on TrainSignal to provide usable information as I’ve used your other CBT’s to assist with Windows server projects such as File Server and Active Directory.

I wanted information on 3 areas; ESX installation; Virtual Center; and Consolidated Backup. I studied primarily the Consolidated Backup module, I learned that it is not a GUI program as I had envisioned but rather an agent.

With your CBT I am learning to understand the concept of the agent and how to install it properly. I have been able to work on my servers and watch your video simultaneously to step thru the installation process.

I love having the ability to go back to the videos and find the chapter I’m looking for and review the procedures. Your CBT’s are replacing my reference manuals!
Michael Virnig IS Director, Mille Lacs County
"I took both your Microsoft and VMWare server classes which were very helpful in understanding virtualization and its capabilities...": I purchased this course to have a quick, to the point course to give me hands on capabilities and clear up the obscurities.

I took both your Microsoft and VMWare server classes which were very helpful in understanding virtualization and its capabilities.

I took the ESX class to understand the scope and limitations of the ESX product and how to size server systems and applications. ESX is an expensive product and if I want to sell the price tag to the bean counters, I have to show how it will save money, time and still enhance productivity and security.

I would give this course 5 out of 5 stars. It took me to where I wanted to go technically.
Ken Grossman
"I would definitely recommend it to people who are trying to learn about ESX (and I have recommended it)...": I bought the ESX CD’s because my company is using the product and there is not much out there in the book stores or online yet regarding ESX.

I also took the accelerated ESX training course through my company and I do intend to pursue certification but I have not done so yet.

I think the CD’s were well done although there a few differences between the CD content and the VMware courseware. I cannot give specific details but I remember thinking about it when I ran across them on the CD. So I would say that the course has helped me meet my goals for what I really got them for which was a general overview of ESX and its capabilities.

I would definitely recommend it to people who are trying to learn about ESX (and I have recommended it)

And as I mentioned, I thought the content was well presented and well done. To be honest, and it really doesn’t make much difference, I would have liked to see the product installed on a real server instead of on a virtual machine inside another vmware product.

There was not much wasted time at all on the video’s which were broken up well. All in all, I have been happy with the TrainSignal video’s I have bought. I think I purchased a DNS overview in the past and I might purchase some Cisco courseware in the near future.
William Cronin
"The course has allowed me to implement, manage, and support the product quickly with more with confidence...": I purchased the course to get familiar with ESX due to implementing at work.

The course provided a quick way for me to get acclimated to ESX server. It allowed me to learn at my own pace while giving me the ability to review the material additional times when necessary, unlike a class.

I personally find the video format an effective addition to documentation and the lectures, examples, and scenarios assist in the understanding of the material. This course, like several other TrainSignal courses, has help me gain a solid and practical understanding of ESX server.

The course has allowed me to implement, manage, and support the product quickly with more with confidence.
David Reichenecker

Looking For Volume User Licensing For VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 1?

24/7 Access to Training

Online access to all training through My Online Training, with an option for physical media.

Volume Discounts

Discounts start at quantities as low as 2 licenses per training course.

Scalable Licensing Model

License your team for specific courses that meet their needs to build a custom package of TrainSignal Training.

Call 1.888.229.5055 or Email sales@trainsignal.com

Contact us for a free volume license quote or tell us how many licenses you need and we'll show you the volume license discount immediately in your cart.

Volume Discount Pricing For VMware vSphere Pro Series Training Vol. 1

# of Users	% Discount	Cost Per User
1	0%	$297.00
2	20%	$237.60
3-4	25%	$222.75
5-9	30%	$207.90
10-19	35%	$193.05
20-49	40%	$178.20
50+	Call 1.888.229.5055