VMware Deployment Types and Concepts

Blank VM
Use Case: Creating a new virtual machine from scratch.
Need: VMware vSphere, VMware Workstation, or VMware Fusion.

Process:
1. Create a New VM:
- In vSphere:
- Open vSphere Client.
- Right-click on the host or cluster and select "New Virtual Machine."
- In Workstation/Fusion:
- Open VMware Workstation/Fusion.
- Click "Create a New Virtual Machine."

2. Configure VM Settings:
- Select the guest OS type and version.
- Allocate CPU, memory, and disk resources.
- Configure network settings (bridged, NAT, host-only).

3. Install Operating System:

- Attach the OS installation media (ISO file or physical disk).
- Boot the VM and follow the OS installation steps.

4. Post-Installation:
- Install VMware Tools for enhanced performance and features.
- Configure additional settings (e.g., shared folders, snapshots).

Template
Use Case: Creating a master image of a VM to deploy multiple identical VMs quickly.
Need: VMware vSphere (Templates are not supported in VMware Workstation/Fusion).

Process:
1. Prepare the VM:
- Install the OS and applications.
- Configure settings and install VMware Tools.
- Update the OS and applications.

2. Convert to Template:
- In vSphere Client, right-click the VM and select "Template" > "Convert to Template."

3. Deploy from Template:

- Right-click the template and select "Deploy VM from this Template."
- Configure deployment settings (name, host/cluster, data store, and network).

4. Customize the New VM:

- Use customization specifications to adjust settings like hostname, IP address, and
Licensing.

Clone
Use Case: Creating an exact copy of an existing VM.
Need: VMware vSphere, VMware Workstation, or VMware Fusion.

Process:
Initiate Clone:
- In vSphere:
- Right-click the VM and select "Clone" > "Clone to Virtual Machine."
- In Workstation/Fusion:
- Right-click the VM and select "Manage" > "Clone."

2. Configure Clone Settings:

- Choose between a linked clone (shares base disk) or a full clone (independent).
- Set the name, location, and resource allocation for the cloned VM.

3. Finalize Clone:
- Complete the wizard to create the clone.
- Power on the cloned VM and adjust any necessary settings.

OVF (Open Virtualization Format)

Use Case: Importing/exporting VMs and appliances across different virtualization
Platforms.

Need: VMware vSphere, VMware Workstation, or VMware Fusion.

Process:
1. Export to OVF:
- In vSphere:
- Right-click the VM and select "Template" > "Export OVF Template."
- In Workstation/Fusion:
- Right-click the VM and select "Export" > "Export to OVF."

2. Configure Export Settings:

- Select the location to save the OVF files.
- Configure options such as disk format and compression.

3. Import OVF:
- In vSphere:
- Right-click the host or cluster and select "Deploy OVF Template."
- In Workstation/Fusion:
- Select "File" > "Import" > "Import from OVF."

4. Configure Import Settings:

- Select the OVF file and configure deployment settings.
- Complete the import wizard to create the VM from the OVF.

Key Differences between Clone and Template

1. Nature:
 Clone: An exact, independent copy of an existing VM.
 Template: A master image used to create new VMs.

2. Usage:
 Clone: Immediate, one-time use or for specific instances.
 Template: Reusable for multiple, consistent deployments.

3. State:
 Clone: Captures the VM's current state, including any active processes or data.
 Template: Represents a pre-configured, standardized state without any active processes.

4. Modification:
 Clone: The cloned VM can be modified independently of the original.
 Template: To modify, the template must be converted back to a VM, updated, and then

converted back to a template.

5. Management:
 Clone: Managed like any other VM; can be powered on, modified, and used immediately.
 Template: Managed in vSphere for deployment purposes; cannot be powered on or used
Directly

VMware Snapshot
1. Introduction to Snapshots:
 Definition: A snapshot is a copy of the virtual machine's state and data at a specific
point in time. It allows you to revert the VM to the exact state it was in when the
snapshot was taken.

 Usage: Commonly used for backup purposes, testing changes, troubleshooting, and
providing quick recovery options.
2. How Snapshots Work:
 Disk State: When a snapshot is taken, the current state of the VM’s virtual disk is
preserved. Subsequent changes are written to a delta or child disk.
 Memory State: If the VM is running, the snapshot can include the VM’s memory
state, capturing the contents of the VM's RAM.
 Power State: The power state (on, off, or suspended) of the VM at the time of the
snapshot is recorded.
3. Types of Snapshots:
Standard Snapshot:
 Components:
o Disk State: Preserves the state of the virtual disk.
o Memory State (optional): Captures the state of the VM’s RAM.
o Power State: Captures the power state of the VM.
 Usage: Create a restore point before major updates or changes.
Memory Snapshot:
 Components:
o Memory State: Only the contents of the VM’s RAM are captured.
 Usage: Resume the VM to the exact running state without restarting applications.
Quiesced Snapshot:
 Components:
o Quiesced Disk State: Ensures file system and application consistency using
VMware Tools or VSS.
  Usage: Critical for applications like databases to ensure data integrity.
Delta Snapshot:
 Components:
o Delta Disk: Stores changes made to the virtual disk after the snapshot.
 Usage: Track incremental changes to reduce the snapshot size.
Snapshot Chain:
 Components:
o Base Snapshot: The initial state before any changes.
o Intermediate Snapshots: Sequential snapshots capturing subsequent changes.
 Usage: Create a series of restore points over time.
Linked Clone Snapshot:
 Components:
o Base VM: The original VM from which the snapshot was taken.
o Linked Clone: A new VM sharing the base disk, storing changes separately.
 Usage: Quickly create multiple VMs from a single snapshot, ideal for testing and
development.
Snapshot Consolidation:
 Components:
o Consolidated Disk: Merges changes from delta disks into the base disk.
 Usage: Required when deleting snapshots or resolving snapshot issues to reflect all
changes in the base disk.
4. Snapshot Files:
 .vmsn: Contains the VM’s memory state and snapshot metadata.
 .vmdk: The base virtual disk file.
 -delta.vmdk: The file where changes are stored after taking a snapshot.
5. Snapshot Management:
Creating Snapshots:
1. Access VM in vSphere Client: Navigate to the VM.
2. Right-click and Select Snapshots: Choose "Take Snapshot."
 3. Configure Snapshot: Provide a name, description, and choose to capture the memory
state if needed.
4. Take Snapshot: Click OK to create the snapshot.
Reverting to Snapshots:
1. Access Snapshot Manager: Right-click the VM and select "Snapshots" > "Manage
Snapshots."
2. Select Desired Snapshot: Choose the snapshot to revert to.
3. Revert: Click "Go to" to revert the VM to the selected snapshot state.
Deleting Snapshots:
1. Access Snapshot Manager: Right-click the VM and select "Snapshots" > "Manage
Snapshots."
2. Select Snapshot to Delete: Choose the snapshot to delete.
3. Delete: Click "Delete" to remove the snapshot, consolidating changes into the base
disk.
6. Best Practices:
 Limit Snapshot Duration: Avoid keeping snapshots for extended periods to prevent
performance degradation.
 Regular Consolidation: Regularly consolidate snapshots to merge changes and free
up disk space.
 Documentation: Always document the purpose and details of each snapshot.
 Backup Integration: Use snapshots in conjunction with other backup solutions.
Snapshots should not replace full backups.
7. Common Issues and Solutions:
 Performance Impact: Snapshots can slow down VM performance due to additional
I/O operations.
o Solution: Limit the number of active snapshots and consolidate regularly.
 Storage Overhead: Snapshots consume additional storage space.
o Solution: Monitor snapshot size and delete unnecessary snapshots.
 Snapshot Corruption: Snapshots can become corrupted, leading to potential data
loss.
o Solution: Ensure regular backups and test snapshots in non-production
environments.
8. Advanced Features:
 Snapshot Automation: Use VMware PowerCLI or other automation tools to create
and manage snapshots programmatically.
 Integration with Backup Solutions: Many backup solutions integrate with VMware to
create consistent snapshots without impacting VM performance.

DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler)

Overview: Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) is a VMware vSphere feature that
automatically balances computing workloads with available resources in a cluster to ensure
optimal performance and resource utilization. It continuously monitors resource usage and
migrates VMs between hosts as needed using vMotion.
Key Concepts:
Resource Pools:
Resource pools allow administrators to partition cluster resources for use by different
groups or applications. Each resource pool can have its own limits, reservations, and shares.
Limits: The maximum amount of CPU or memory resources that a resource pool can
consume.
Reservations: The guaranteed minimum amount of CPU or memory resources reserved for
the resource pool.
Shares: A relative measure that specifies the importance of the resource pool compared to
other pools.
Affinity and Anti-Affinity Rules:
Affinity rules ensure that specific VMs run on the same host, which can be useful for
performance reasons or to ensure VMs that need to communicate frequently are co-
located.
Anti-affinity rules ensure that specific VMs run on different hosts, which increases
redundancy and availability by avoiding single points of failure.

Load Balancing:
DRS uses advanced algorithms to balance the load across all hosts in the cluster. When a
host becomes overcommitted, DRS will migrate VMs to other hosts with available
resources.
DRS can be set to different levels of automation, from manual to fully automated,
depending on the administrator’s preferences and policies.

Operational Benefits:
Automated and dynamic distribution of workloads.
Improved resource utilization and reduced contention.
Simplified management of cluster resources, allowing for more efficient operation.

Advanced Features:
Predictive DRS: Uses predictive analytics from vRealize Operations to forecast future
resource usage and make proactive VM migrations.
Network-Aware DRS: Considers network bandwidth and latency when making placement
decisions to ensure network-intensive applications perform optimally.

HA (High Availability)
Overview: High Availability (HA) is a feature of VMware vSphere that provides high
availability for VMs by restarting them on other hosts in the cluster in the event of a host
failure. This helps to minimize downtime and ensures that critical applications remain
available.

Key Concepts:
Cluster Configuration:
HA is enabled at the cluster level, and all hosts in the cluster work together to provide high
availability for VMs.
Hosts in the cluster share a common datastore to store VM files, ensuring that VMs can be
restarted on any host.
Heartbeat Data stores:
HA uses heartbeat datastores to monitor the health of hosts. If a host fails to send
heartbeats, HA determines that the host has failed and begins the VM restart process.
Heartbeat datastores provide an additional mechanism to detect host failures in addition to
network heartbeats.
Admission Control:
Admission control ensures that there are sufficient resources reserved in the cluster to
restart all VMs in case of a host failure.
Host Failures Cluster Tolerates: This policy reserves enough resources to handle a specified
number of host failures.
Percentage of Cluster Resources Reserved: This policy reserves a certain percentage of CPU
and memory resources for failover.
Dedicated Failover Hosts: This policy designates specific hosts to remain in standby mode,
ready to take over in case of a host failure.
Operational Benefits:
Automated VM restart on other hosts in the event of a host failure.
Reduced downtime and increased availability of applications.
Protection against hardware failures and network issues.
Advanced Features:
Proactive HA: Integrates with hardware monitoring tools to detect and respond to
potential hardware failures before they occur by migrating VMs off of potentially failing
hosts.

Fault Tolerance
Overview: Fault Tolerance (FT) provides continuous availability for VMs by maintaining a
secondary VM that runs simultaneously with the primary VM. If the host running the
primary VM fails, the secondary VM immediately takes over without any data loss or
service interruption.
Key Concepts:
Primary and Secondary VMs:
The primary VM runs on one host, and the secondary VM runs on a different host. Both
VMs execute identical instructions at the same time, kept in sync through continuous
logging.
FT ensures that the secondary VM is always in a ready state to take over in case the primary
VM fails.
Lockstep Execution:
Both the primary and secondary VMs process the same inputs and produce the same
outputs simultaneously. Any changes made to the primary VM’s state are immediately
replicated to the secondary VM.
This ensures that there is no loss of state or data during a failover.
Operational Benefits:
Zero downtime in the event of a host failure.
No data loss as both VMs are kept in sync.
Continuous availability of critical applications.
Limitations and Considerations:
FT requires additional resources since it maintains an identical secondary VM.
It is best suited for applications that require continuous availability but do not require high
levels of scalability or performance.

Re-register Process
Overview: Re-registering a VM involves adding it back to the vSphere inventory if it has
been removed or if there are issues with its registration. This process is necessary for
restoring VMs after certain maintenance tasks or troubleshooting.
Key Steps:
Using vSphere Client:
Open the vSphere Client and navigate to the datastore browser.
Locate the VM’s VMX file (the configuration file for the VM).
Right-click on the VMX file and select "Register VM."
Follow the prompts to add the VM back to the inventory and select the appropriate host or
resource pool.
Using PowerCLI:
Open PowerCLI and connect to the vCenter Server.
Use the Get-Datastore cmdlet to find the datastore containing the VMX file.
Use the New-VM cmdlet to register the VM by specifying the path to the VMX file.
Use Cases:
The VM was accidentally removed from the inventory.
Restoring VMs after a datastore recovery.
Resolving VM configuration issues that require re-registration.
Operational Benefits:
Quick recovery of VMs without the need to recreate them.
Easy re-integration of VMs into the management framework.
 IP Swapping
Overview: IP Swapping involves changing the IP address of VMs, which is often necessary
during migrations, network reconfigurations, or to resolve IP conflicts. Proper planning and
execution are crucial to minimize downtime and ensure service continuity.

Key Concepts:
vMotion:
vMotion allows the live migration of VMs between hosts without downtime. It keeps the IP
address of the VM unchanged during the migration, ensuring continuous connectivity.
Useful for maintenance tasks or load balancing without affecting the VM’s network
configuration.
Network Configuration:
When changing the IP address of a VM, update the VM’s network settings, including DNS
and DHCP configurations.
Ensure firewall rules, routing tables, and network policies are updated to reflect the new IP
address.
Steps for IP Swapping:
Plan the IP Change:
Schedule the change during a maintenance window to minimize impact.
Communicate with stakeholders and ensure all dependent systems and services are aware
of the change.
Update Network Settings:
Change the IP address on the VM’s network interface through the OS settings.
Verify that the new IP address is correctly configured and no conflicts exist.
Verify Connectivity:
Ensure the VM can communicate with other network devices and services using the new IP
address.
Test network connectivity and access to critical applications and services.
Update DNS/DHCP:
Update DNS records to reflect the new IP address if the VM is accessed by hostname.
If using DHCP, ensure the new IP address is within the correct scope and reservations are
updated.
Operational Considerations:
Document the change and update network diagrams and configuration management
databases (CMDBs).
Ensure all dependencies and services are updated with the new IP.
Monitor the VM and network performance after the change to ensure stability.

Mounting Hardware Process

Overview: Mounting hardware involves attaching physical or virtual devices to a VM. This
process enhances the VM’s capabilities and performance by adding resources such as CPUs,
memory, disks, or network adapters.

Key Steps:
Add/Remove Devices:
Use the vSphere Client to manage the hardware settings of a VM.
Navigate to the VM’s settings and use the "Add New Device" option to add virtual hardware
components.
Common additions include CPUs, memory, network adapters, and virtual disks.
Hot Add/Remove:
Certain hardware components, such as CPUs and memory, can be added or removed while
the VM is running, provided the VM and OS support hot-add features.
Hot-add allows for scaling resources without requiring VM downtime, improving flexibility
and responsiveness to changing workloads.
Use Cases:
Scaling up VM resources to meet increased demand or improve performance.
Adding specialized hardware for specific applications, such as GPUs for graphic-intensive
tasks or additional network adapters for increased bandwidth.
Operational Benefits:
Flexible resource management allows for dynamic scaling of VMs.
Improved performance and capability of VMs to handle varying workloads.
Reduced downtime and maintenance disruptions through hot-add features.
 RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) and Its Issues
Overview: Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allows users to remotely access and control a
VM or physical machine over a network. It is commonly used for administrative tasks,
remote support, and accessing applications from different locations.
Common Issues:
Connectivity Problems:
Network configuration, firewall settings, or VPN requirements can prevent successful RDP
connections.
Ensure that the network allows traffic on the RDP port (default is 3389) and that there are
no firewall rules blocking RDP traffic.
Authentication Errors:
Incorrect user credentials, expired passwords, or account lockouts can cause authentication
failures.
Ensure that the user account has the necessary permissions and that the account is not
locked or disabled.
Performance Issues:
Slow response times or lag can be caused by limited network bandwidth, high latency, or
insufficient server resources.
Optimize RDP settings by reducing display resolution, disabling resource-intensive features,
and ensuring adequate bandwidth.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Check Network Connectivity:
Verify that both the client and server can communicate over the network. Use tools like
ping and tracert to diagnose network issues.

Ensure that firewalls on both ends allow RDP traffic and that any VPN connections are
stable.
Verify RDP Service:
Ensure that the RDP service is running on the target machine. Restart the service if
necessary.
On Windows, check the status of the "Remote Desktop Services" service in the Services
management console.
Review Security Settings:
Check user permissions and account policies. Ensure that the user has the right to log on
remotely.
On Windows, this can be configured in the System Properties under "Remote" settings.
Optimize RDP Settings:
Adjust RDP client settings for better performance. Reduce display resolution, disable
features like audio redirection and printer redirection if not needed.
Ensure that the server has sufficient resources (CPU, memory) to handle RDP sessions.
Operational Benefits:
Remote access for administrative tasks and support.
Improved efficiency for IT staff and users needing access to remote applications.
Flexibility to work from different locations while maintaining secure access to resources.

Decommission Process
Overview: Decommissioning involves retiring VMs or physical servers from service in a
controlled and documented manner. This process ensures that resources are reclaimed,
and sensitive data is securely removed, preventing unauthorized access and reducing costs.
Key Steps:
Backup Data:
Ensure all critical data on the VM or server is backed up or migrated to other systems
before decommissioning.
Verify the integrity of the backup to ensure data can be restored if needed.
Power Off VMs:
Safely shut down and power off VMs to prevent data corruption and ensure a clean
decommissioning process.
Use the vSphere Client to power off the VMs and verify that they are no longer running.
Remove from Inventory:
Remove the VMs from the vSphere inventory to free up resources.
Navigate to the VM in the vSphere Client, right-click, and select "Remove from Inventory."
Delete Data:
Securely delete VM files and associated data from storage to prevent unauthorized access.
Use secure deletion tools or follow organizational policies for data destruction.
Documentation:
Maintain detailed records of decommissioned assets, including the reasons for
decommissioning, the steps taken, and any data handling procedures followed.
Update asset management systems and configuration management databases (CMDBs) to
reflect the decommissioning.
Operational Benefits:
Reclaim resources for new workloads or reduce infrastructure costs.
Ensure data security and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Clear documentation and processes ensure a smooth and accountable decommissioning
process.

Group Policies
Overview: Group Policies in a Windows environment manage and configure operating
system settings across multiple machines. They ensure consistency and compliance with
organizational standards by enforcing policies centrally through Active Directory.
Key Concepts:
Active Directory Integration:
Group policies are applied through Active Directory, allowing administrators to enforce
settings across all machines in a domain.
Policies can be linked to organizational units (OUs), domains, or sites, providing flexibility in
applying policies to different groups of users or computers.

Policy Management:
Use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to create, edit, and apply group
policies.
Policies can configure a wide range of settings, including security settings, software
installation, script execution, desktop configurations, and more.
Use Cases:
Security Settings:
Enforce password policies, account lockout thresholds, and user rights assignments to
improve security.
Configure firewall rules, audit policies, and security options to protect the environment.
Standardizing Configurations:
Ensure consistent desktop settings, application preferences, and network configurations
across all machines.
Apply software installation policies to automate the deployment of applications and
updates.
Automating Maintenance Tasks:
Use logon, logoff, startup, and shutdown scripts to automate routine tasks such as mapping
network drives, updating software, and cleaning temporary files.
Configure Windows Update settings to ensure all machines receive critical updates and
patches.
Operational Benefits:
Centralized management of OS settings reduces administrative overhead.
Consistent policy enforcement improves security and compliance.
Automated and standardized configurations enhance operational efficiency and user
experience.
Advanced Features:
Group Policy Preferences: Extend the capabilities of group policies by allowing more
granular control over settings, including drive mappings, printer deployments, and
environment variables.
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP): A tool that helps administrators understand which policies
are applied to a particular user or computer and troubleshoot policy-related issues.
Group Policy Modeling: Simulate the application of group policies in a test environment to
understand the impact before applying them in production.