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Virtualization in the Real World

David Davis

In this course, you will explore virtualization in action, compare the functionality across multiple platforms, and learn the basics of how server, network, and storage virtualization come together to run workloads in the real world!

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In this course, you will explore virtualization in action, compare the functionality across multiple platforms, and learn the basics of how server, network, and storage virtualization come together to run workloads in the real world!

Are you new to virtualization? In this course, Virtualization in the Real World, you will learn foundational knowledge of how to run a single workload across multiple virtualization hypervisors. First, you will see how to run the same virtual machine on Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware vSphere, VMware Fusion, VirtualBox, and the public cloud with Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2. Then, you will learn how to convert virtual machines to be run on different hypervisors. Next, you will discover how to create virtual machines. Finally, you will explore how to configure virtual resources, and perform real world virtual infrastructure administration. When you’re finished with this course, you will have the skills and knowledge of the basics of how server, network, and storage virtualization come together so you can run workloads in real world data centers.

This course is no longer available. Find something similar by browsing:
Virtualization Microsoft Hyper-V VMware vSphere VMware Fusion VirtualBox Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 Virtual Machine Management

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Introduction
Virtualization on the Client
Virtualization on the Server
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores virtualization in action and compares functionality across multiple platforms
Develops the basics of how server, network, and storage virtualization come together to run workloads in real world data centers
Taught by David Davis, who is recognized for their work in virtualization
Suitable for beginners, as it covers foundational knowledge of virtualization
Examines virtualization in the context of both client and server environments
Provides hands-on practice through real world virtual infrastructure administration

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Practical virtualization for it professionals

According to learners, "Virtualization in the Real World" is a largely positive course that excels in providing a solid foundational understanding of virtualization concepts. Students particularly value its practical, real-world focus, which makes the material directly applicable to IT infrastructure roles. The course's strength lies in its multi-platform coverage, exploring hypervisors like Hyper-V, VMware vSphere, VirtualBox, and AWS EC2. While the lectures are generally clear, some learners note that certain sections may feature slightly older software versions, which can be a warning for those seeking the very latest interfaces. The course is considered a strong starting point, though it might not offer the deep dive some advanced practitioners seek.
Pacing may vary for learners; depth is foundational, not advanced.
"For a beginner, the <span class='neutral'>pacing felt just right to absorb complex information without being overwhelmed."
"I found the <span class='neutral'>course moved a bit slow in the initial sections, but it picked up significantly later on."
"It provides a <span class='neutral'>good overview but doesn't deep dive into advanced topics like high availability or complex networking, which I might need next."
Provides a strong basis for understanding core virtualization concepts.
"The course offered an <span class='positive'>excellent foundational understanding of virtualization for someone like me who was completely new to the topic."
"I now have a <span class='positive'>clear grasp of server, network, and storage virtualization basics thanks to the logical structure of this course."
"This is a great starting point for anyone looking to get into <span class='positive'>IT infrastructure or cloud computing; it builds confidence."
Explores virtualization across various hypervisors and cloud platforms.
"It was great to see <span class='positive'>Hyper-V, VMware, and AWS EC2 all covered, which is a comprehensive approach for one course."
"The ability to compare and contrast <span class='positive'>VMware Fusion vs. VirtualBox was very insightful for me when choosing my tools."
"I found the section on <span class='positive'>converting VMs to be run on different hypervisors particularly useful for my migration tasks."
Highly practical, focused on real-world scenarios and hands-on.
"The <span class='positive'>hands-on labs and practical demonstrations were the most valuable part, directly applicable to my job as a sysadmin."
"I appreciated how the course constantly related concepts to <span class='positive'>real-world data center operations and workflows."
"This course gave me a solid understanding of how <span class='positive'>virtualization is used in actual IT environments, not just theory."
Some sections may feature slightly older software versions.
"While the concepts are timeless, some of the <span class='warning'>software versions shown were a bit outdated, which required me to adapt."
"I noticed that some of the <span class='warning'>demos used older interfaces, although the underlying principles remain valid."
"It would be beneficial if the course were <span class='warning'>updated with the latest versions of the hypervisors and their respective features."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Virtualization in the Real World with these activities:
Install virtualization platforms
Refresh your skills in virtualization environments by installing some of the platforms in the course.
Browse courses on Hyper-V
Show steps
  • Read up on system requirements for each platform.
  • Turn off any anti-virus software and firewall to avoid blocking installation.
  • Download and run the platform installer.
  • Configure your platform settings based on the documentation.
Review Networking Fundamentals
Refresh understanding of networking concepts to support virtualization technologies.
Browse courses on Networking Concepts
Show steps
  • Review materials on network topologies, protocols, and standards
  • Practice configuring and managing virtual networks using tools like CLI or GUI
  • Troubleshoot common networking issues in virtual environments
Virtualization Resource Compilation
Organize and access a comprehensive collection of virtualization resources for future reference.
Show steps
  • Gather relevant articles, tutorials, videos, and documentation
  • Create a digital or physical compilation system
  • Categorize and label resources for easy retrieval
  • Continuously update the compilation with new findings
14 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 17 activities
Explore Virtualization Platforms
Expand knowledge of different virtualization platforms and their functionalities.
Browse courses on Hypervisors
Show steps
  • Identify popular virtualization platforms
  • Access online tutorials and documentation for each platform
  • Follow step-by-step guides to install and configure the platforms
  • Experiment with different features and settings
Examine Hyper-V Tutorials
Solidify foundational knowledge of Hyper-V to improve understanding of virtualization concepts.
Browse courses on Hyper-V
Show steps
  • Access Microsoft's official Hyper-V documentation and tutorials.
  • Review a variety of online resources and video tutorials to supplement your understanding of Hyper-V.
Virtualization Study Group
Enhance understanding and engage in discussions with peers to explore virtualization concepts in depth.
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with fellow virtualization learners
  • Set regular meeting times and establish a study schedule
  • Collaborate on challenging concepts, share knowledge, and discuss real-world scenarios
  • Facilitate group discussions and presentations on specific virtualization topics
Create a virtual machine in Hyper-V
Reinforce what you learn in the course by creating a virtual machine in Hyper-V.
Browse courses on Hyper-V
Show steps
  • Open Hyper-V Manager.
  • Select New --> Virtual Machine and follow the on-screen prompts.
  • Configure the VM settings and click Start.
Participate in Virtualization Discussion Forums
Engage with peers and industry professionals to broaden perspectives, share experiences, and clarify concepts related to virtualization.
Browse courses on Virtualization
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums or communities dedicated to virtualization.
  • Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and contribute your knowledge.
Attend a Virtualization Workshop
Foster a deeper understanding of the practical applications of virtualization technologies through hands-on experiences.
Browse courses on Server Virtualization
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant virtualization workshops
  • Register and attend the workshop
  • Actively participate in hands-on exercises and discussions
  • Take notes and ask questions to clarify concepts
Practice Virtual Machine Configuration
Deepen comprehension of virtual machine configuration and enhance practical skills to manage virtual environments effectively.
Browse courses on Server Virtualization
Show steps
  • Set up a virtual environment using Hyper-V or another preferred hypervisor.
  • Configure multiple virtual machines with varying settings.
  • Troubleshoot common virtual machine configuration issues.
Configure Virtualization Settings
Sharpen technical skills by configuring and managing virtual environments in a practical setting.
Browse courses on Virtual Machine Management
Show steps
  • Set up a virtual environment using a virtualization software
  • Create and configure virtual machines
  • Configure network settings, including IP addresses and DNS servers
  • Configure storage settings, such as disk size and file systems
Develop a cheat sheet for VM configuration
Create a cheat sheet to help you configure virtual machines more efficiently.
Browse courses on Virtual Machine
Show steps
  • Gather information on VM configuration options from the course materials.
  • Organize the information into categories.
  • Create a document or spreadsheet to present the information.
Develop a Virtualization Deployment Plan
Enhance understanding of virtualization concepts and gain practical experience in designing and planning virtualization deployments.
Browse courses on Virtualization
Show steps
  • Research virtualization technologies and best practices.
  • Gather requirements and conduct an assessment of the existing IT environment.
  • Design a detailed virtualization deployment plan that addresses technical, operational, and security considerations.
Test Virtualization Performance
Evaluate the performance and efficiency of virtualization environments.
Browse courses on Performance Optimization
Show steps
  • Establish performance metrics to measure
  • Use benchmarking tools or scripts to collect data
  • Analyze data and identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement
  • Implement optimization techniques to enhance performance
Practice troubleshooting virtual machine issues
Sharpen your troubleshooting skills by practicing on virtual machines.
Browse courses on Virtual Machine
Show steps
  • Identify common virtual machine issues.
  • Set up a virtual machine with different issues.
  • Attempt to troubleshoot and resolve the issues.
Support Junior Virtualization Engineers
Contribute to the community and solidify understanding by mentoring others in the field of virtualization.
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor junior virtualization engineers
  • Share knowledge and expertise through one-on-one sessions or group workshops
  • Provide guidance on virtualization best practices and troubleshooting techniques
  • Encourage mentees to ask questions and actively participate in discussions
Participate in a virtualization hackathon
Put your virtualization skills to the test in a hackathon.
Browse courses on Virtualization
Show steps
  • Find a virtualization hackathon to participate in.
  • Form a team or work individually.
  • Develop a solution to the hackathon challenge.
  • Present your solution to the judges.

Career center

Learners who complete Virtualization in the Real World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Virtualization Engineer
Virtualization Engineers design, implement, and maintain virtualized environments. They ensure that these environments are operating efficiently and securely.
See salaries and explore the career path for Virtualization Engineer
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers design, implement, and maintain cloud computing solutions. They ensure that these solutions are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in cloud virtualization, which can help engineers design and manage virtualized cloud environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
Technical Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialists provide technical support to users of computer systems and software applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Specialist
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in virtualization, which can help engineers develop and deploy software applications in virtualized environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to extract meaningful insights. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in virtualization, which can help data scientists manage and analyze large datasets in virtualized environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. They develop and implement solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and control projects. They ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Network Administrator
Network Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer networks. They ensure that these networks are operating efficiently and securely. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in network virtualization, which can help administrators manage and maintain virtual networks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators provision, install, configure, and maintain computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. They ensure that these systems are operating efficiently and securely. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in virtualization, which can help administrators manage and maintain virtual machines and other virtualized resources.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
IT Manager
IT Managers plan, direct, and coordinate IT activities within an organization. They develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that IT systems are used effectively and efficiently.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
IT Security Analyst
IT Security Analysts identify, assess, and mitigate security risks to an organization's IT systems. They develop and implement security policies and procedures to protect these systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Security Analyst
Database Administrator
Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. They ensure that these databases are operating efficiently and securely.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer systems. They ensure that these systems are operating efficiently and securely. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in virtualization, which can help engineers design and manage virtualized systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer
Cloud Architect
Cloud Architects design, build, and manage cloud computing solutions. They ensure that these solutions are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in cloud virtualization, which can help architects design and manage virtualized cloud environments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Virtualization in the Real World.
Cover image
Cloud Computing: A Practical Approach
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing technologies, including their benefits, risks, and implementation considerations. It valuable resource for IT professionals who are considering or implementing cloud computing in their organizations.
Cloud Computing, A Practical Approach
Paperback
$$
Cloud Computing: A Practical Approach
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Practice of System and Network Administration
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of virtualization technologies, including their benefits, risks, and implementation considerations. It valuable resource for IT professionals who are considering or implementing virtualization in their organizations.
The Practice of System and Network Administration
Paperback
Check
The Practice of System and Network Administration
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
70-412 Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of Microsoft Hyper-V, including installation, configuration, and management. It good reference for those with some experience with Hyper-V.
70-412 Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Fire and Fortitude
Save
Covers virtualization security best practices and risks, providing valuable insights for securing virtualized environments.
Fire and Fortitude: The US Army in the Pacific War,...
Hardcover
$$
Fire and Fortitude
Hardcover
$$$
Fire and Fortitude: The US Army in the Pacific War,...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
Mastering VMware vSphere 6.7
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of VMware vSphere, one of the platforms covered in the course, and is useful as a companion reference.
Mastering VMware vSphere 6.7
Paperback
Check
Mastering VMware vSphere 6.7
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Virtualization
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of virtualization from a management perspective. It good starting point for those new to virtualization management.
Virtualization: A Manager's Guide: Big Picture of...
Kindle Edition
$
Why Maimonides Medical Center selected DataCore...
Kindle Edition
$
Hyper-consolidation: Unleash the power and get the...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
vSphere 6 Foundations Exam Official Cert Guide...
Save
Covers the basics of VMware vSphere 7, including installation, configuration, and management. It good starting point for those new to vSphere.
vSphere 6 Foundations Exam Official Cert Guide...
Paperback
Check
vSphere 6 Foundations Exam Official Cert Guide...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide With...
Save
Introduces the basics of AWS EC2, the cloud platform used in the course, and is helpful for gaining a foundational understanding.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide With...
Paperback
$$
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide With...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Virtualization For Dummies
Save
A beginner-friendly introduction to storage virtualization, providing a good foundation for understanding the concepts covered in the course.
Virtualization For Dummies
Paperback
Check
Virtualization For Dummies
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Kubernetes Book
Save
Provides a quick start guide to Docker. It good starting point for those new to Docker.
The Kubernetes Book
Paperback
$$
The Kubernetes Book: Starfleet Edition
Paperback
$$
The Kubernetes Book
Audible Audiobook
$$
Cover image
Cloud Computing
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, including concepts, technologies, and architecture. It good starting point for those new to cloud computing.
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Hardcover
$$
(中文) Cloud Computing: Concepts. Technology and...
Paperback
$$
Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Cloud Computing For Dummies
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing for beginners. It good starting point for those new to cloud computing.
Cloud Computing For Dummies
Paperback
Check
Cloud Computing For Dummies
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Docker in Practice, Second Edition
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of Docker, a popular containerization platform. It good starting point for those new to Docker.
Docker in Practice, Second Edition
Paperback
$$

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Course image
Time
69 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Pluralsight
Instructor
David Davis
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Fundamentals of Virtualization. It's comprised of five courses:
  1. Virtualization: The Big Picture
  2. Fundamentals of Server Virtualization
  3. Fundamentals of Storage Virtualization
  4. Fundamentals of Network Virtualization
  5. Virtualization in the Real World (viewing)
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores virtualization in action and compares functionality across multiple platforms
Develops the basics of how server, network, and storage virtualization come together to run workloads in real world data centers
Taught by David Davis, who is recognized for their work in virtualization
Suitable for beginners, as it covers foundational knowledge of virtualization
Examines virtualization in the context of both client and server environments
Provides hands-on practice through real world virtual infrastructure administration
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