Advanced Server Virtualization: VMware and Microsoft Platforms in the Virtual Data Center (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author), Dave McCrory (Author) "Virtualization technology is a way of making a physical computer function as if it were two or more computers, each nonphysical or "virtualized" computer is..." (more)
Key Phrases: virtual hard disk drive, guest operating system, virtual network adapter, Microsoft Windows, Standard Edition, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Executives of IT organizations are compelled to quickly implement server virtualization solutions because of significant cost savings. However, most IT professionals tasked with deploying virtualization solutions have little or no experience with the technology. This creates a high demand for information on virtualization and how to properly implement it in a datacenter. Advanced Server Virtualization: VMware® and Microsoft® Platforms in the Virtual Data Center focuses on the core knowledge needed to evaluate, implement, and maintain an environment that is using server virtualization.

This book emphasizes the design, implementation and management of server virtualization from both a technical and a consultative point of view. It provides practical guides and examples, demonstrating how to properly size and evaluate virtualization technologies. This volume is not based upon theory, but instead on real world experience in the implementation and management of large scale projects and environments. Currently, there are few experts in this relatively new field, making this book a valuable resource

The book is divided into major sections making it both a step-by-step guide for learning and implementing server virtualization as well as a quick reference. The chapter organization focuses first on introducing concepts and background, and then provides real-world scenarios.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 760 pages
• Publisher: Auerbach Publications; 1 edition (May 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849339316
• ISBN-13: 978-0849339318
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #718,396 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Implementation guide for VMware and Microsoft Virtual server, August 24, 2006

By	R. Prakash "rprakash" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book provides a thorough (742 pages) implementation guide on VMware ESX, GSX and Microsoft Virtual server. This would help implementers/consultants tasked with implementing virtual servers within a datacenter. The authors are implementation experts and are upfront about the fact that this book will cover only the above 3 popular server virtualization products. This book covers how a bare metal or OS (Windows/Linux) based server can be carved up into logical servers. It doesn't defocus or attempt to look into alternative approaches that involve virtualizing I/O in addition to the server itself. I give it a 4 as it seems a bit on the wordy side and could have been presented in a more compact and succint manner. All in all a good book on an interesting topic.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, Technical and Business, Basic to Advanced, VIRTUALIZATION Practical Knowledge, October 3, 2007

By	Bruce B. Razban (Silicon Valley, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of the most outstanding books ever!

This book starts by excellent teaching of fundaments (In Chapters 1 to 3) by comparing Virtualization to Simulation and Emulation and demystifying it. An easy to understand and clear history - going back to IBM 360, Physical and Logical Partitioning and OS issues and concepts are discussed to clarify and explain. It also clearly, and very honestly, points out where Virtualization can, and where it can NOT be a solution.

Chapters 4 to 7 do a superb, professional job of covering best practices for Business Case, Planning, Budgets, Deployment, Price, Usage Scenarios, and specifications. I read this part wearing both my business and technical hats. I was impressed in both ways.

Chapters 8 to 12 focus on Microsoft Virtual Server Platform, Installation, Configuration, and Advanced Topics. Chapters 13 to 17 do the same for VMware ESX. Then in Chapters 18 to 22 a greater detailed focus is on Implementation and Configuration of VMware GSX. Chapters 23 to 26 cover Upgrades, Guest OS Techniques, Scripting, and Advanced Topics. And, finally, Chapters 27 to 29 do an honest introduction and summary of Open Source and competitive products such as: Cassat, Parallels, Serenity Virtual Station (SVISTA), Virtual Iron (VFe), Win4Lin, Bochs, QEMU, and Xen.

The authors are top-notch experts in the field and they are also excellent teachers. The book is a delight to read.

Bruce Razban
President/Founder, Razban Internet International,
Silicon Valley, CA, USA

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom is Wordy but still Worth It!, November 14, 2007

By	Marko Cruise "Aussie MCSE" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've worked with Virtual everything for a number of years and have collected a lot of resources on Virtualisation. Simply: This is likely to be voted the best and most complete to date. It is a little pricey but will save on your time to find knowledge elsewhere and could pay for itself in that respect.

If you want nearly all the answers, buy a book like this one where the authors try to ask all the right questions. If you want to be an expert, learn from experts. Buy this book.

I dropped it to four stars because of price and it probably has too much content which might have pushed back the date it would otherwise be published. Even with all this content, it still manages to miss some important and current virtualisation trends and topics. Nonetheless, it is still the best resource on this subject at this time.