VMware vSphere 5 - Part 1: Introduction to vSphere Storage Concepts

Overview/Description
The storage infrastructure supporting VMware vSphere has always been a critical element of any virtual infrastructure, and good storage design is critical for anyone building a virtual datacenter. One of the most beneficial and in many cases, necessary, components of vSphere is the concept of shared storage. When multiple ESXi hosts are given access to common storage areas, advanced features such as vMotion and svMotion become possible. This course discusses various different storage concepts, including storage options, the sizing, backup and recovery as well storage tiers. Datastore clusters, snapshots, and thin provisioning are also covered.

Target Audience
Anyone wishing to learn the fundamental features, functions, and capabilities of the VMware vSphere product suite collection of products in order to provide a full array of enterprise virtualization functionality; systems engineers, system administrators, vSphere operators and support personnel, and ESXi operators and support personnel. A good understanding of system administration on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Microsoft Server 2008 operating systems experience would be of benefit. Experience equivalent to or greater than CompTIA Network+ and with Linux Server operating systems is strongly recommended.

Expected Duration (hours)
1.0

Lesson Objectives

VMware vSphere 5 - Part 1: Introduction to vSphere Storage Concepts

identify vSphere 5 storage considerations

identify the considerations for choosing a RAID configuration

identify LUN sizing considerations

identify the considerations when planning shared storage around disaster recovery options

differentiate between using VMFS datastores and Raw Device Mapping

identify the features of datastore clusters

determine the appropriate type of provision to use in a given scenario