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VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide: VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5- Data Center Administration
- By Steve Baca, John A. Davis
- Published May 13, 2014 by VMware Press. Part of the VMware Press Certification series.
Book
- Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Description
- Copyright 2014
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-7897-5323-5
- ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5323-6
The VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. “Do I Know This Already?” quizzes open each chapter and allow you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Exam topic lists make referencing easy. Chapter-ending “Review Tasks” help you drill on key concepts you must know thoroughly.
• Master VMware VCAP5-DCA exam topics
• Assess your knowledge with chapter-opening quizzes and review tasks
• Review key concepts with exam preparation tasks
• Prepare and practice with realistic exam scenarios
The VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide focuses specifically on the objectives for the VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5–Data Center Administration. VMware Certified Instructors (VCI) Steve Baca and John A. Davis share preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics.
This Official Cert Guide comes with access to one set of original practice scenarios designed to prepare you for the experience of the real exam and get you comfortable executing the scenarios in order to complete them in the limited amount of time during the actual test. Content in the practice scenarios maps to the VCAP blueprint and is relevant to both the VDCA510 and VDCA550 exams. All the scenarios are based on real-world experiences, where administration tasks that are covered by the exam, may need to be applied.
Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, comprehensive design scenarios, and challenging review questions and exercises, this official study guide helps you master the concepts and techniques that will allow you to succeed on the exam the first time.
The VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide is part of a recommended learning path from VMware that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized VMware instructors and self-study products from VMware Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered worldwide, please visit www.vmware.com/training.
The official study guide helps you master many of the topics on the VCAP5-DCA exam, including
• Using administrator tools such as the vSphere Client, ESXCLI, vmkfstools, ESXTOP, vCLI, vMA, and PowerCLI.
• Understanding the networking features that are available in vSphere, such as VLAN, PVLANS, and Netflow.
• Managing vSphere features and technologies that can be used to provide solutions to various storage challenges.
• Understanding performance tuning, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Carrying out a cluster configuration, troubleshoot, and management of a vSphere cluster.
• Performing patch management and updating of ESXi hosts, virtual machine hardware, VMware Tools, and virtual appliances using VMware Update Manager.
• Recognizing how logging works for both ESXi hosts and the vCenter Server.
• Identifying the different methods to secure your vSphere environment.
• Making sense of Auto Deploy and how its moving parts work.
Premium Edition
The exciting new VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide, Premium Edition eBook is a digital-only certification preparation product combining an eBook with enhanced practice opportunities.
The Premium Edition eBook contains the following items:
- Three full exam preparation scenarios and enhanced practice features
- PDF and EPUB formats of the VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide from VMware Press, which are accessible via your PC, tablet, and Smartphone
The VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide presents you with an organized test preparation routine through the use of proven series elements and techniques. “Do I Know This Already?” quizzes open each chapter and enable you to decide how much time you need to spend on each section. Exam topic lists make referencing easy. Chapter-ending “Review Tasks” help you drill on key concepts you must know thoroughly.
- Master VMware VCAP5-DCA exam topics
- Assess your knowledge with chapter-opening quizzes and review tasks
- Review key concepts with exam preparation tasks
- Practice with realistic lab scenarios
The VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide focuses specifically on the objectives for the VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 — Data Center Administration. VMware Certified Instructors (VCI) Steve Baca and John Davis share preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. Material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics.
This Official Cert Guide comes with access to one set of original practice scenarios designed to prepare you for the experience of the real exam and get you comfortable executing the scenarios in order to complete them in the limited amount of time during the actual test. Content on the practice scenarios maps to the VCAP blueprint and is relevant to both the VCAPDCA510 and VCAPDCA550 exams. All the scenarios are based on real world experiences, where administration tasks that are covered by the exam, may need to be applied.
Well-regarded for its level of detail, assessment features, comprehensive design scenarios, and challenging review questions and exercises, this official study guide helps you master the concepts and techniques that will enable you to succeed on the exam the first time.
The official study guide helps you master many of the topics on the VCAP5-DCA exam, including:
- Using administrator tools such as the vSphere Client, ESXCLI, vmkfstools, ESXTOP, vCLI, vMA, and PowerCLI.
- Understanding the networking features that are available in vSphere, such as VLAN, PVLANS, and Netflow.
- Managing vSphere features and technologies that can be used to provide solutions to various storage challenges.
- Understanding performance tuning, optimization and troubleshooting.
- Carrying out a cluster configuration, troubleshoot, and management of a vSphere Cluster.
- Performing patch management and updating of ESXi hosts, virtual machine hardware, VMware Tools, and virtual appliances using VMware Update Manager.
- Recognizing how logging works for both ESXi hosts and the vCenter Server
- Identifying the different methods to secure your vSphere environment.
- Making sense of Auto Deploy and how its moving parts work.
The VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide is part of a recommended learning path from VMware that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized VMware instructors and self-study products from VMware Press. To find out more about instructor-led training, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered worldwide, please visit www.vmware.com/training.
STEVEN BACA (VCP, VCAP-DCA, VCI, VCP, NCDA) has been in the computer industry for more than 20 years. Originally a computer programmer and a system administrator working on Unix and Windows systems, he transitioned to VMware about 8 years ago, doing technical training and consulting as well as teaching for NetApp. He believes that the constant evolution of the computer industry requires continuously learning to stay ahead.
JOHN A. DAVIS (VCP, VCAP-DCA, VCAP-DCD, VCAP5-DTD VCI) has been teaching on VMware technologies since 2004. Throughout his tenure, he has taught VMware courses all over the globe. Currently John is a Senior Consulting Engineer at New Age Technologies who splits his time between teaching and consulting. John has authored several white papers and blogs regularly to his vLoreBlog.com.
Sample Content
Online Sample Chapter
VCAP5-DCA Official Cert Guide: Network Administration
Sample Pages
Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 2 and Index)
Table of Contents
About the Authors xviii
Dedications xix
Acknowledgments xx
About the Reviewers xxi
Reader Services xxii
Introduction xxiii
Chapter 1 Administrator Tools 3
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 3
Foundation Topics 6
VMware vSphere Client 6
Installation 6
Usage 7
ESXCLI Command Set 11
Getting Started 11
Navigating the Namespace 13
Formatting ESXCLI Output 16
vmkfstools Command 18
Help Information 18
Managing VMFS Datastores 19
Managing Virtual Disks 22
esxtop and resxtop Commands 23
Overview 23
Usage 24
Batch Mode 27
vCLI and vMA 29
Overview 29
esxcfg Commands 30
Deploying the vMA 30
Authentication and Authorization for the vMA 31
Fastpass 33
File Manipulation with vifs 35
PowerCLI 36
Installation 37
Usage 37
Running Scripts in VMs 41
Summary 41
Exam Preparation Tasks 42
Review All the Key Topics 42
Key Terms 43
Review Tasks 43
Chapter 2 Network Administration 45
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 45
Foundation Topics 48
Implement and Manage Complex Networks 48
Overview 48
Confi gure SNMP 59
VMware Direct Path I/O 61
Migrate from Standard to Distributed Virtual Switches 62
Confi gure Virtual Switches Using CLI Commands 66
Analyze Virtual Switches Using ESXCLI 67
Confi gure NetFlow 68
Discovery Protocols 68
Confi gure and Maintain VLANs and PVLANs 69
Types of VLANs and PVLANs 69
Determine Use Cases for VLAN Trunking 70
Determine Use Cases for PVLAN Trunking 71
Command Tools to Troubleshoot and Identify VLAN Confi gurations 73
Deploy and Maintain Scalable Virtual Networking 74
Identify NIC Teaming Policies 74
Determine and Apply Failover Settings 77
Confi gure Port Groups to Properly Isolate Network Traffi c 79
Administer vSphere Distributed Switches 79
Understand the Use of Command-line Tools to Confi gure Distributed Virtual Switch Settings on an ESXi Host 80
Determine Use Cases and Apply Port Binding Settings 80
Live Port Moving 81
Identify Distributed Virtual Switch Technologies to Satisfy Network Requirements 81
Confi gure and Administer vSphere Network I/O Control 83
Summary 85
Exam Preparation Tasks 85
Review All the Key Topics 85
Defi nitions of Key Terms 86
Review Tasks 86
Chapter 3 Storage Concepts 89
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 90
RAID Levels 92
Raid-0 (Striping at the Block-level) 92
Raid 1 (Mirroring) 93
Raid 5 (Striping with Distributed Parity) 94
Supported HBA Types 94
Virtual Disk Format Types 95
Lazy-zeroed Thick 95
Eager-zeroed Thick 96
Thin Provisioned 96
RDM 98
N-Port ID Virtualization 99
VMware DirectPath I/O 101
vCenter Server Storage Filters 102
Understanding and Applying VMFS Re-signaturing 104
VAAI Hardware Acceleration 106
Block Devices Hardware Acceleration 107
NAS Hardware Acceleration 108
Confi guring and Administering Profi le-based Storage 109
Preparing Storage for Maintenance 114
Upgrading VMware Storage Infrastructure 115
Identifying Storage Provisioning Methods 116
Confi guring Datastore Alarms 117
Confi guring Datastore Clusters 120
Confi guring Software iSCSI Port Binding 123
Pluggable Storage Architecture Layout 124
MPP 125
NMP 125
SATP 126
PSP 126
Installing and Confi guring PSA Plug-ins 126
LUN Masking Using PSA-related Commands 127
Multipathing Policies 132
Changing a Multipath Policy 132
Identifying and Tagging SSD Devices 133
Summary 134
Exam Preparation Tasks 135
Review All the Key Topics 135
Key Terms 135
Review Tasks 135
Chapter 4 Performance 139
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 139
Foundation Topics 142
Tune and Optimize vSphere Performance 142
Capacity Planning and Peak Workload 142
Tune ESXi Host Memory Confi guration 142
Tune ESXi Host Networking Confi guration 146
Tune ESXi Host CPU Confi guration 147
Tune ESXi Host Storage Confi guration 148
Confi gure and Apply Advanced ESXi Host Attributes 150
Confi gure and Apply Advanced Virtual Machine Attributes 150
Confi gure Advanced Cluster Attributes 154
Optimize Virtual Machine Resources 154
Tune Virtual Machine Memory Confi gurations 154
Tune Virtual Machine Networking Confi gurations 155
Tune Virtual Machine CPU Confi gurations 155
Tune Virtual Machine Storage Confi gurations 156
Calculate Available Resources 157
Properly Size a Virtual Machine Based on Application Workload 158
Modify Large Memory Page Settings 159
Understand Appropriate Use Cases for CPU Affi nity 161
Confi gure Alternative Virtual Machine Swap Locations 162
Utilize Advanced vSphere Performance Monitoring Tools 163
Confi gure ESXTOP/RESXTOP Custom Profi les 164
ESXTOP Interactive, Batch, and Replay Modes 165
Use vscsiStats to Gather Storage Performance Data 168
Troubleshoot CPU and Memory Performance 170
Troubleshoot CPU Performance Issues 170
Troubleshoot Memory Performance Issues 172
Use Hot-Add Functionality to Address CPU and Memory Performance Issues 174
Troubleshoot Network Performance and Connectivity 176
Use net-dvs to Troubleshoot vSphere Distributed Switch Confi gurations 176
Use vSphere CLI Commands to Troubleshoot ESXi Network Confi gurations 177
Troubleshoot Private VLANs 179
Troubleshoot VMkernel-related Network Confi guration Issues 180
Troubleshoot DNS- and Routing-related Issues 182
Use ESXTOP/RESXTOP to Identify Network Performance Problems 183
Determine Whether the Root Cause Originates in the Physical Network Infrastructure 184
Confi gure and Administer Port Mirroring 184
Utilize the DCUI and the ESXi Shell to Troubleshoot ESXi Networking 185
Troubleshoot Storage Performance and Connectivity 188
Use ESXCLI Commands to Troubleshoot Multipathing- and PSA-related Issues 188
Use ESXCLI Commands to Troubleshoot VMkernel Storage Module Confi gurations 192
Use ESXCLI Commands to Troubleshoot iSCSI-related Issues 193
Troubleshoot NFS Mounting and Permission Issues 194
Use ESXTOP and vscsiStats to Identify Storage Performance Issues 196
Confi gure and Troubleshoot VMFS Datastores Issues Using VMKFSTOOLS 198
Troubleshoot Storage Snapshot and Resignaturing Issues 200
Analyze Log Files to Identify Storage and Multipathing Problems 201
Troubleshoot vCenter Server and ESXi Host Management 202
Troubleshoot vCenter Server Service and Database Connection Issues 203
Troubleshoot ESXi Firewall Issues 203
Troubleshoot ESXi Host Management and Connectivity Issues 205
Summary 205
Exam Preparation Tasks 206
Review All the Key Topics 206
Defi nitions of Key Terms 206
Review Tasks 207
Chapter 5 Clusters 209
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 209
Foundation Topics 212
VMware High Availability 212
Overview 212
Implement and Maintain Complex HA Solutions 213
Admission Control Policies and Determining the Best Policy 214
Create a Custom Slot Size Confi guration 215
Heartbeats and Dependencies 217
Customize Isolation Response Settings 218
Confi gure HA Redundancy 218
Calculate Host Failure Requirements 220
Confi gure HA-related Alarms and Monitor HA Clusters 221
Interactions Between DRS and HA 222
Use PowerCLI to Confi gure HA 222
VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler 223
DRS Overview 223
DRS Confi guration 223
DRS Affi nity and Anti-affi nity Rules 226
DRS Alarms 229
Use PowerCLI to Confi gure DRS 229
VMware Storage DRS 230
Storage DRS Overview 230
Storage DRS Confi guration 230
Storage DRS Affi nity and Anti-affi nity Rules 233
Storage DRS Alarms 235
Use PowerCLI to Confi gure SDRS 237
VMware Distributed Power Management 237
DPM Overview 237
DPM Confi guration 238
DPM Alarms 241
Use PowerCLI to Confi gure DPM 241
VMware Enhanced vMotion Compatibility 241
EVC Overview 241
EVC Confi guration 242
VMware Fault Tolerance 243
Overview 244
Requirements 244
Confi guration and Best Practices 245
FT Logging Confi guration 246
Operation 246
Summary 247
Exam Preparation Tasks 247
Review All the Key Topics 247
Defi nitions of Key Terms 248
Review Tasks 248
Chapter 6 Patch Management 251
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 251
Foundation Topics 254
Install and Confi gure VMware Update Manager 254
Overview 254
VUM Installation 255
VUM Confi guration 260
Shared Repository and Download to Repository 263
Create and Modify Baseline Groups 265
Orchestrated vSphere Upgrades 267
Troubleshooting and Reporting 275
Troubleshooting 276
VUM Reporting Using Excel 278
VUM Reporting Using SQL Server Query 278
Upgrade vApps and Appliances 279
Upgrade vApps 279
Smart Rebooting 279
Upgrade Virtual Appliances 280
PowerCLI and Update Manager Utility 280
VUM PowerCLI Installation and Usage 280
Update Manager Utility 282
Summary 284
Exam Preparation Tasks 284
Review All the Key Topics 284
Key Terms 285
Review Tasks 285
Chapter 7 Logging 287
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 288
Generate vCenter Server and ESXi Log Bundles 290
Generate a Log Bundle on the ESXi Host Using vSphere Client 290
Generate a Diagnostic Log Bundle on the ESXi Host/vCenter Server Using vm-support 292
Generate a Diagnostic Log Bundle on the ESXi Host or vCenter Server Using PowerCLI 293
Generate a Diagnostic Log Bundle Directly on the vCenter Server 293
Generate a Diagnostic Log Bundle on the vCenter Server Using vSphere Client 294
Confi gure Logging Level for the vCenter Server 297
Log Files 298
ESXi Host Log Files 298
vCenter Server Log Files 299
Viewing Log Files 299
Use ESXCLI System Syslog to Confi gure Centralized Logging on ESXi Hosts 300
Install and Confi gure VMware Syslog Collector 303
vCenter Server Appliance and Syslog Collector 303
Windows vCenter Server and Syslog Collector 303
Analyze and Test Logging Confi guration Information 304
Analyze Log Files to Resolve Issues 305
Install and Confi gure vSphere ESXi Dump Collector 307
vCenter Server Appliance and Dump Collector 308
Windows-based vCenter Server and the ESXi Dump Collector 309
Confi gure ESXi Dump Collector with esxcli 309
Summary 309
Exam Preparation Tasks 309
Review All the Key Topics 309
Key Terms 310
Review Tasks 311
Chapter 8 Security and Firewall 313
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 313
Foundation Topics 316
Users and Groups on an ESXi Host 316
Customize SSH Settings for Increased Security 319
Enable/Disable Certifi cate Checking 321
Generate ESXi Host Certifi cates 321
Replace Default Certifi cate with CA-Signed Certifi cate 323
Enable ESXi Lockdown Mode 324
Modify Lockdown Mode Using the vSphere Client 325
Modify Lockdown Mode Using ESXi Shell Command Line 325
Confi gure Lockdown Mode Using the Direct Console User Interface 326
Enable or Disable Lockdown Mode with PowerCLI 326
Confi gure SSL Timeouts 328
Confi gure Timeout Values via the SSH Command Line 329
Confi gure vSphere Authentication Proxy 329
Enable Strong Passwords and Confi gure Password Policies 330
Identify Methods for Hardening Virtual Machines 332
Protect the Number of Consoles for the Virtual Machine 333
Prevent Virtual Disk Shrinking 333
Prevent Copy and Paste to a Remote Console from the Clipboard 334
Control Virtual Hardware Usage 334
Restrict the VMCI Interface 334
Limit Messages Sent to VMX Files (setinfo) 335
Control VM Logging Functions 335
Secure Perfmon Integration 336
Install Antivirus Software 336
Manage Active Directory Integration 336
Confi gure Active Directory Using the Command Line 338
Confi gure Active Directory Using PowerCLI 338
Security Profi le—Services and Firewall Section 338
The Preconfi gured Services Open by Default 339
The Firewall Ports Open by Default 339
What Is a Firewall Ruleset? 340
Confi gure the ESXi Firewall 341
Confi gure the Firewall Service Properties Using vSphere Client 342
Confi gure the ESXi Firewall Properties Using vSphere Client 344
Confi gure the ESXi Firewall Using esxcli 345
Confi gure the ESXi Firewall Using PowerCLI 346
Enable/Disable Preconfi gured Services 347
Open/Close Firewall Ports 348
Create a Custom Service 350
Set Firewall Security Level 351
Summary 352
Exam Preparation Tasks 352
Review All the Key Topics 352
Key Terms 353
Review Tasks 353
Chapter 9 Auto Deploy 357
“Do I Know This Already?” Quiz 357
Auto Deploy Architecture 360
Auto Deploy Rules Engine 362
Image Profi les Using Image Builder 363
Software or Public Depot 365
Install and Uninstall Custom Drivers 366
Identify Auto Deploy Requirements 366
PowerCLI 367
The PXE Boot Environment 367
The Auto Deploy Server 369
vCenter Server with Host Profi les 370
Install and Build Auto Deploy 372
Bulk Licensing 374
Provision and Re-provision ESXi Hosts Using Auto Deploy 375
Using a Host Profi le from a Reference Host with Auto Deploy 376
Use Profi le Editor to Edit Policies 378
Confi gure Advanced Boot Loader Options 379
Confi gure Kernel Options 380
Summary 381
Exam Preparation Tasks 382
Review All the Key Topics 382
Key Terms 382
Review Tasks 383
Chapter 10 Scenarios 385
Foundation Topics 386
Implement and Manage Storage—Scenarios 386
Implement and Manage Network—Scenarios 387
Deploy DRS Clusters and Manage Performance—Scenarios 389
Manage Business Continuity and Protected Data—Scenarios 390
Perform Operational Maintenance—Scenarios 391
Perform Advance Troubleshooting—Scenarios 392
Secure a vSphere Environment—Scenarios 394
Perform Scripting and Automation—Scenarios 395
Perform Advanced vSphere Installations and Confi gurations—Scenarios 395
Summary 397
Appendix A Answers to the “Do I Know This Already?” Quizzes 399
Appendix B Hands-On Solutions to Chapter 10 Scenarios 403
Glossary 417
TOC, 9780789753236, 4/14/2014
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