1.Will HA work if Virtual Center Server is down ?

2. What is DRS/HA/DP/dvSwit!h/"#/vA$$s/vSafe/vShields ? %&'

(. What are the situations whi!h tri))ers votion auto*ati!all+ ?
,. What are the re-uire*ent for "# ?
.. What are the di/eren!es 0etween 1S2 and 1S2i ?
3. Whi!h are the new features introdu!ed in vS$here , ?
4. Whi!h are the tra5! sha$in) o$tions availa0le to !on6)ure ?
7. What is $ro*is!uous *ode ?
8. What *akes iSCS9 and "C di/rent ?
1:. What is the for*at for iSCS9 addressin) ?
11. V;s #ask ana)er shows $erfor*an!e nor*al< =ut vCenter re$orts hi)h
resour!e utili>ation< what is the reason ?
12. What are the di/erent t+$es of *e*or+ *ana)e*ent tri!ks availa0le under 1S2
?
1(. What is v**e*!tl ?
1,. How we !an list $?9Cs @ status usin) !o**and line ?
1.. What is resour!e $ool ? What are the use of it ?
1. 1A$lain the $h+si!al to$olo)+ of Virtual 9nfrastru!ture ( Data Centre ?
2. How do +ou !on6)ure Clusters<Hosts<Resour!e Pools in V9( ?
(. What are resour!e $ools @ whats the advanta)e of i*$le*entin) the* ?
,. 1A$lain wh+ V*ware 1S2 Server is $referred over Virtual Server or Workstation
for enter$rise i*$le*entation ?
.. 9n what di/erent s!enarios or *ethods !an +ou *ana)e a V9( ?
3. 1A$lain the di/eren!e 0etween a!!ess throu)h Virtual 9nfrastru!ture Client Bvi
!lient'< We0 a!!ess< Servi!e Console a!!essBssh' ?
4. 1A$lain advanta)es or features of V*ware Virtual a!hine "ile S+ste* BV"S' ?
7. What are the t+$es of datastores su$$orted in 1S2(.: ?
8. How !an +ou !on6)ure these di/erent t+$es of datastores on 1S22.. ?
1:.What is V*ware Consolidate =a!ku$ BVC=' ? 1A$lain +our work eA$osure in this
area ?
1. 1A$lain the $h+si!al to$olo)+ of Virtual 9nfrastru!ture ( Data Centre ?
2. How do +ou !on6)ure Clusters<Hosts<Resour!e Pools in V9( ?
(. What are resour!e $ools @ whats the advanta)e of i*$le*entin) the* ?
,. 1A$lain wh+ V*ware 1S2 Server is $referred over Virtual Server or
Workstation for enter$rise i*$le*entation ?
.. 9n what di/erent s!enarios or *ethods !an +ou *ana)e a V9( ?
3. 1A$lain the di/eren!e 0etween a!!ess throu)h Virtual 9nfrastru!ture Client
Bvi !lient'< We0 a!!ess< Servi!e Console a!!essBssh' ?
4. 1A$lain advanta)es or features of V*ware Virtual a!hine "ile S+ste*
BV"S' ?
7. What are the t+$es of datastores su$$orted in 1S2(.: ?
8. How !an +ou !on6)ure these di/erent t+$es of datastores on 1S22.. ?
1:.What is V*ware Consolidate =a!ku$ BVC=' ? 1A$lain +our work eA$osure
in this area ?
11.How do +ou !on6)ure V*ware Virtual Centre ana)e*ent Server for HA @
DRS ? What are the !onditions to 0e satis6ed for this setu$ ?
12.1A$lain +our work related to 0elow ter*s %
V Provisionin)%
Alar*s @ 1ven ana)e*ent%
#ask S!heduler%
Hardware Co*$ati0ilit+ Cist%
1(.What SA? or ?AS 0oAes have +ou !on6)ured Vware with ? How did +ou
do that ?
1,.What kind of a$$li!ations or setu$s +ou have on +ou Virtual a!hines ?
1..Have +ou ever fa!ed 1S2 server !rashin) and Virtual Centre Server !rash?
How do +ou know the !ause of these !rashes in these !ases ?
This is an attempt to make a list of typical questions you can expect in the initial technical round
for VMWare administrator L3 positions. Apparently most people can answer these questions just
y preparation ut it makes to the inter!iewer aout how stron" the candidate in asic o!er!iew.
#. What will e your daily acti!ities in VMWare
$. What is the difference etween VMWare and %yper&V' when do you use one o!er the
other
3. When you encounter ()*+' what steps do you follow
,. What do you do when you encounter -.ailed to load' swap file not found/ error
0. What port does ($V uses
1. What is the command to format and mount a file system
2. What is d!)witch and why do you need it
3. What is the command you use for readin" !m dump file and where does dump file reside
4. 5xplain the process you follow for (hysical to Virtual con!ersion
#6. What is ($V 7leanup and explain it
##. What do you do when the V7 ecomes fro8en9not respondin"
#$. What is alloonin" and explain it
#3. What is +:)
#,. What is %A and how frequent it checks the hosts connecti!ity
#0. what is AAM ;Always A!ailale Mana"er' Acti!e Alert Mana"er< and it=s role
#1. What is .or"ed Traffic and what is the default !alue it=s set to
#2. What is (romiscuous mode
#3. What is :+M and when do you use it
#4. What is ks.conf file
$6. %ow do you expand root97> dri!e of a VM
$#. What are the features of VM.)
$$. %ow do you restart the ser!ices of 5)? and !7enter
$3. Which port !7enter ser!er listens on or uses
$,. What is traffic shapin"9filterin"9prioriti8ation' @A7 teamin"
$0. )uppose A select # m lock si8e what is the maximum file si8e A can ha!eB
$1. What are @etworkin" (olicies
$2. What network types a!ailale in VMWareB
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33. # vimsh -n -e /hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter - to enter into
maintenance mode
34.
35. # vimsh -n -e /hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit - to exit maintenance
mode
36.
37. # vimsh -n -e /hostsvc/runtimeino ! "re# in$aintenance$ode ! a%&
'(#rint )3*+ - chec& %hether host is in maintenance mode
38.
39. # vm%are-cmd -, - -o ,ist .$s runnin" under that #articu,ar /01 host
and it %i,, dis#,a2 vmx i,e #ath.
40.
41. # esxc"-rescan vmh3a1 - -o rescan to ind ne%,2 a,,ocated 456s.
42.
43. # esxc"-vs%itch v0%itch0 -v 11 -# 70ervice 8onso,e7 - 9t is used to
chan"e the service conso,e .4:6 9;. %ith this s2ntax %e can chan"e the
.4:6 9; or an2 #ort"rou# in an2 virtua, s%itch.
44.
45. # esxc"-vs%i -i 10.30.8.50 -n 255.255.255.0 vs%i0 - 9t is used to
chan"e the service conso,e 9<.
46.
47. # esxc"-vs%i -a vs%i0 -# 0ervice= 8onso,e -i 10.30.8.50
255.255.255.0 -3 10.30.8.255 - -his command a,so used to chan"e the
service conso,e 9< 3ut %e can use this s2ntax to chan"e vmotion 9# a,so.
48.
49. # esxc"-vs%itch -5 vmnic3 v0%itch1 - -o remove a #articu,ar 698 rom
a #articu,ar virtua, s%itch.
50.
51. # esxc"-nics -d ha, -s 100 vmnic7 - -o chan"e the du#,ex settin"s
and s#eed o" a 698.
52.
53. # esxc"-nics -a vmnic7 - -o 0et s#eed and du#,exit2 automatica,,2.
54.
55. # esxc"-nics -, - -o #rint the ,ist o 698s and their settin"s
56.
57. # esxc"-vs%itch -4 vmnic3 v0%itch1 - -o add a #articu,ar 698 to a
#articu,ar virtua, s%itch.
58.
59. # esxu#date -, >uer2 - -o ,ist %hat are a,, the #atches has 3een
insta,,ed.
60.
61. # vm%are-cmd -s re"ister
/vms/vo,umes/2000_.$?0_?@_2145_2:7/.$$@A0@.B0<23/.$$@A0@.B0<23.vmx -
-his command used to re"ister a .$ in a #articu,ar /01 host.
62.
63. # #s -aux%%% ! "re# -i .$$@A0@.B0<23 - 9t is used to ind a .$Cs
#rocess 9;.
64.
65. # vm-su##ort -x - 9t dis#,a2s a,, the runnin" .$s under an /01 host
%ith .$ 9;.
66.
67. # iconi" ! "re# DBaddr - -o ,ist $:8 address o a,, the 698s in an
/01 host.
68.
69. # vd -h - -o vie% the datastore and its s#ace avai,a3,e in an /01
host.
70.
71. # vm%are-cmd
/vms/vo,umes/2000_.$?0_?@_2145_2:7/.$$@A0@.B0<23/.$$@A0@.B0<23.vmx
start - -o #o%er E6 a virtua, machine.
72.
73. # vm%are-cmd
/vms/vo,umes/2000_.$?0_?@_2145_2:7/.$$@A0@.B0<23/.$$@A0@.B0<23.vmx sto#
- -o #o%er do%n a virtua, machine.
74.
75. # vm%are-cmd
/vms/vo,umes/2000_.$?0_?@_2145_2:7/.$$@A0@.B0<23/.$$@A0@.B0<23.vmx
"etstate - -o "et the status o a .$.
76.
77. # vm&stoo,s -1 100FG;estination siHeI vmd& i,e name - -o ex#and the
siHe o a vmd& i,e.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
7(.What are the di/eren!es 0etween 1S2 (.: and (.. and di/eren!es 0etween
(.. and ,.:?
7,.How *an+ vCPDs !an 0e assi)ned to a V?
7..How v*otion is workin)?
73.What are the re-uire*ents for v*otion to work?
74.What is stora)e v*otion?
77.onitorin) VEs Perfor*an!e
78.How to add a stora)e CD? into an 1S2 host? BDsin) V9 !lient and Co**and
line'
8:.How to eAtend a V"S datastore in an 1S2 host?
81.What is !lonin) and how to !lone a V and VEs disk usin) !o**and line?
82."eatures of V"S( 6le s+ste* and di/eren!e 0etween V"S2 and V"S(?
8(.How *an+ Vs !an !reate in a sin)le 1S2 host?
8,.How *an+ "C SA? CD?s !an 0e assi)ned to an 1S2 host?
8..aAi*u* si>e su$$orted 0+ V"S( 6les+ste*.
83.How *an+ 1S2 hosts !an 0e added into an 1S2 !luster?
84.De6ne the Servi!e Console< Vkernal @ Virtual a!hines $ort)rou$s.
87.Pro0le* fa!ed in +our V*ware environ*ent on 1S2 host and virtual
*a!hines.
88.How to !on6)ure ?#P in an 1S2 host?
1::. aAi*u* iSCS9 tar)ets su$$orted 0+ an 1S2 host.
1:1. 1na0lin) root user lo)in throu)h SSH.
1:2. How to !reate a V"S 6les+ste* in !o**and line?
1:(. How to !onvert a $h+si!al *a!hine to a virtual *a!hine usin) v*ware
!onverter? B Des!ri0e the ste$s'
1:,. How to 6nd list of Vs runnin) in an 1S2 host usin) !o**and line?
1:.. How to add ?9CsBv*ni!' into the $ort)rou$? BDsin) )ra$hi!al and
!o**and line'
1:3. aAi*u* si>e of RA that !an 0e assi)ned to a V B=oth 1S2(.: @
,.:'
1:4. What are the wa+s to a!!ess an 1S2 host?
#. What is the difference etween VMotion and )tora"e VMotionB
$. What are the steps to expand a 7> or +> partition in a Windows VMB
3. %ow do you ali"n a partition for a VM or VM.)B
,. 5xplain what an :+M is and when would you use it instead of a VM+CB What modes are
thereB
0. What is the difference etween a clone and template and when would use one or the otherB
1. What is the ks.cf" file used forB ; other than ein" a pain in the DEF)<
2. %ow would you install mana"ement a"ents such as the %( Mana"ement a"ents on an 5)?
hostB
3. 7an you name any differences etween 5)? and 5)?iB
4. What is esxtop used forB
%ow do we ali"n a VM of !mdk file B what is flat !mdkB
5xplain the process of VM performancesB
5xplain the failures of %*)T in Vmware with 5xamplesB
What is features for creatin" .ault tolerance' in two scenario we cannot ale to create .T
5xplain that issue.
#< ask aout !irtual )M( & when and why should you "i!e a !m multiple !7(Gs & part of their
answer whould e that est pracrtice is to start with a sin"le !7(G ecause of you can run into
perfomance issues do to 7(G schedulin"

$< Ask what !ersion of Linux kernel does 5)? run & if they are truly experienced they should say
5)? is not Linux and does not use a Linux kernel & and "i!e them an extra poijnt if they explain
that the ser!ice console runs a modified !ersion of :ed %at 5nt 3 &
Ask aout how %A works.
As %A dependent on !irtualcenter ;*nly for Anstall<
What is the Maximum %ost .ailure allowed in a cluster ;,<
%ow does %A know to restart a VM from a dropped %ost ;stora"e lock will e remo!ed from the
metadata<
%ow many i)7)A tar"ets will 5)? support 3 for 3.6#' ;1, for 3.0<
%ow Many .ier7hannel tar"ets;$01< ;#$3 on Anstall<
What is Vmotion;aility to mo!e runnin" !m from one host to another<
Another "ood one to ask & does %A use !motionB the answer is no & !m stops and restarts on
5)? other host
Ask what is the different when you use !iclient connect to V7 and directly to 5)? ser!er itself.
When you connect to V7 you mana"e 5)? ser!er !ia !pxa ;A"ent on esx ser!er<. Vpxa then
pass those request to hostd ;mana"ement ser!ice on esx ser!er<. When you connect to 5)?
ser!er directly' you connect to hostd ;ypass !pxa<. Hou can extend this to a troleshoot case'
where connect to esx see one thin" and connect to V7 see another. )o the prolem is most likely
out of sync etween hostd and !pxa' Iser!ice !mware&!pxa restartI should take care of it.
Hou can also ask them if one could run $6" :AM worth of #6 windows $663 VM;s< when
infact the esx host only has #3" :AM...The answer should e yes...This is called o!er
allocation and esx intelli"ently uses its transperant memory sharin" technique for similar or like
VMs ;runnin" same *)<...Hou can also ask to descrie in short aout memory alloonin" also...


*ne more' what is the maximum swap si8e we can allocate for an esx host..Ans>#166m as'a
maximum of only 366m of :AM can e allocated for 7*)9)7..%ence twice the si8e of
7*)9)7 J )wap )i8e..
#< ask aout !irtual )M( & when and why should you "i!e a !m multiple !7(Gs & part of their
answer whould e that est pracrtice is to start with a sin"le !7(G ecause of you can run into
perfomance issues do to 7(G schedulin"




A couldnKt a"ree with this one more. (retty important from my experience that many people just
let the !7(Gs "et out of hand. 5specially now with multicore...e!en thou"h you ha!e all those
cores do you really need to "i!e out more !7(GsB A quick explanation from them on how 5)?
schedules !)M( machines would e a "ood indicator of their understandin".

& %a!e you e!er used 7on!erterB Af so what are some of the steps you mi"ht take efore9after the
con!ersion process to prepare the physical9!irtualB
& 5xplain snapshotsL how they work' when they should9should not e used' etc.
What was the most difficult VMWare related prolem9issue you faced in a production
en!ironment and what were the specific steps you took to resol!e itB
When was the last time you called VM )upport and what was the issueB
What was the most performance intensi!e production app that you supported in VMWare
and what were the some of the challen"es that it posedB
%ow would you determine that a perf intensi!e app is a "ood candidateB )pefically what
tools would you use to identify candidates. )pecifically inside those tools what metrics
would you useB
What is yor philosphy on how much of the data center can e !irtuali8edB ;Af the
inter!iewer wants max !irutali8ation' ut the inter!iewee is not con!inced that this is a
"ood idea' this could e a deal reaker<
What is your opinion on the !rituali8ation !endors ;M) !s VM !s 7itrix !s etc< and
whyB ;Must tryin" to fi"ure out if the candidate is keepin" up with this e!er chan"in"
!irtuali8ation market<
1. VMWare Kernel is a Proprietary Kenral and is not based on any of the UNIX operating
systems, it's a ernel de!eloped by VMWare "ompany.
#. $he VMKernel %an't boot it by itself, so that it taes the help of the &rd party operating
system. In VMWare %ase the ernel is booted by 'ed(at )in*+ operating system ,hi%h is
no,n as ser!i%e %onsole.
&. $he ser!i%e %onsole is de!eloped based *p on 'edhat )in*+ -perating system, it is *sed
to manage the VMKernel
.. $o restart ,eba%%ess ser!i%e on !m,are
ser!i%e !m,are/,eba%%ess restart 0 this ,ill restart apa%he tom%at app
1. $o restart ssh ser!i%e on !m,are
ser!i%e sshd restart
2. $o restart host agent3!m,are/hostd4 on !m,are es+ ser!er
ser!i%e mgmt/!m,are restart
5. Path for the str*ts/%onfig.+ml
6*sr6lib6!m,are6,eb7%%ess6tom%at6apa%he/tom%at/1.1.156,ebapps6*i6W89/IN:6
;. $o start the s%ripted install the %ommand is
es+ s<nfs=111.###.&&&....=6data6K>.%onfig sde!i%e<eth?
lo%ation de!i%e name
@. Virt*al Net,or in >impleAAAAAA.
Virt*al Ni%3s4 on Virt*al Ma%hine3s4 /////B
Physi%al Ni% on the 8>X >er!er 3Virt*al >,it%h / 12 Ports4 /////B
Physi%al >,it%h Port >ho*ld be tr*ned ,ith all the V)7N> to ,hi%h the VM's need
a%%ess
7ll the 8>X ser!ers sho*ld be %onfig*red ,ith >ame n*mber of Physi%al Ni%s 3!>,it%hes4
and "onne%ti!ity also sho*ld be same, >o that !Motion s*%%eeds
7ll the Virt*al Ma%hines are %onne%ted to one !>,it%h ,ith Cifferent V)7N>, this means the
Physi%al Ni%3!>,it%h4 needs to be tr*ned ,ith the same V)7N> on the Physi%al >,it%h Port
1? What are the three port gro*ps present in 8>X ser!er net,oring
1. Virt*al Ma%hine Port Dro*p / Used for Virt*al Ma%hine Net,or
#. >er!i%e "onsole Port Dro*p / Used for >er!i%e "onsole "omm*ni%ations
&. VMKernel Port Dro*p / Used for VMotion, i>">I, N:> "omm*ni%ations
11. What is the *se of a Port Dro*pE
$he port gro*p segregates the type of %omm*ni%ation.
1#. What are the type of %omm*ni%ations ,hi%h reF*ires an IP address for s*re E
>er!i%e "onsole and VMKernel 3VMotion and i>">I4, these %omm*ni%ations does not
happen ,itho*t an ip address 3Whether it is a single or dedi%ated4
1&. In the 8>X >er!er li%ensing feat*res VMotion )i%ense is sho,ing as Not *sed, ,hyE
8!en tho*gh the li%ense bo+ is sele%ted, it sho,s as G)i%ense Not UsedG *ntil, yo* enable
the VMotion option for spe%ifi% !>,it%h
1.. (o, the Virt*al Ma%hine Port gro*p %omm*ni%ation ,ors E
7ll the !m's ,hi%h are %onfig*red in VM Port Dro*p are able to %onne%t to the physi%al
ma%hines on the net,or. >o this port gro*p enables %omm*ni%ation bet,een !>,it%h and
Physi%al >,it%h to %onne%t !m's to Physi%al Ma%hine's
11. What is a V)7N E
7 V)7N is a logi%al %onfig*ration on the s,it%h port to segment the IP $raffi%. :or this to
happen, the port m*st be tr*ned ,ith the %orre%t V)7N IC.
12. Coes the !>,it%hes s*pport V)7N $aggingE WhyE
Hes, $he !>,it%hes s*pport V)7N $agging, other,ise if the !irt*al ma%hines in an es+
host are %onne%ted to different V)7N>, ,e need to install a separate physi%al ni% 3!>,it%h4
for e!ery V)7N. $hat is the reason !m,are in%l*ded the V)7N tagging for !>,it%hes. >o
e!ery !>,it%h s*pports *pto 1?12 ports, and 9$W they %an s*pport 1?12 V)7N> if needed,
b*t an 8>X ser!er doesnIt s*pport that many VMIs. =4
15. What is Promis%*o*s Mode on !>,it%h E What happens if it sets to 7%%eptE
If the promis%*o*s mode set to 7%%ept, all the %omm*ni%ation is !isible to all the !irt*al
ma%hines, in other ,ords all the pa%ets are sent to all the ports on !>,it%h
If the promis%*o*s mode set to 'eJe%t, the pa%ets are sent to inteded port, so that the
intended !irt*al ma%hine ,as able to see the %omm*ni%ation.
1;. What is M7" address "hanges E What happens if it is set to 7%%ept E
When ,e %reate a !irt*al ma%hine the %onfig*ration ,iKard generates a M7" address for
that ma%hine, yo* %an see it in the .!m+ 3VM "onfig4 file. If it doesn't mat%hes ,ith the M7"
address in the -> this setting does not allo, in%oming traffi% to the VM. >o by setting 'eJe%t
-ption both M7" addresses ,ill be remains same, and the in%oming traffi% ,ill be allo,ed to
the VM.
1@. What is :orged $ransmits E What happens if it is set to 7%%ept E
When ,e %reate a !irt*al ma%hine the %onfig*ration ,iKard generates a M7" address for
that ma%hine, yo* %an see it in the .!m+ 3VM "onfig4 file. If it doesn't mat%hes ,ith the M7"
address in the -> this setting does not allo, o*tgoing traffi% from the VM. >o by setting
'eJe%t -ption both M7" addresses ,ill be remains same, and the o*tgoing traffi% ,ill be
allo,ed from the VM.
#?. What are the %ore ser!i%es of V" E
VM pro!isioning , $as >%hed*ling and 8!ent )ogging
#1. "an ,e do !Motion bet,een t,o data%enters E If possible ho, it ,ill beE
Hes ,e %an do !Motion bet,een t,o data%enters, b*t the mandatory reF*irement is the VM
sho*ld be po,ered off.
##. What is V" agentE and ,hat ser!i%e it is %orresponded toE What are the minim*m reF's
for V" agent installation E
V" agent is an agent installed on 8>X ser!er ,hi%h enables %omm*ni%ation bet,een V" and
8>X ser!er.
$he daemon asso%iated ,ith it is %alled !m,are/hostd , and the ser!i%e ,hi%h %orresponds
to it is %alled as mgmt/!m,are, in the e!ent of V" agent fail*re J*st restart the ser!i%e by
typing the follo,ing %ommand at the ser!i%e %onsole
" service mgmt-vmware restart "
V" agent installed on the 8>X ser!er ,hen ,e add it to the V", so at the time of installtion
if yo* are getting an error lie G V" 7gent ser!i%e failed to install G, %he% the 6-pt siKe
,hether it is s*ffi%ient or not.
#&. (o, %an yo* edit VI "lient >ettings and V" >er!er >ettings E
"li% 8dit Men* on V" and >ele%t "lient >ettings to %hange VI settings
"li% 7dministration Men* on V" and >ele%t V" Management >er!er "onfig*ration to "hange
V" >ettings
#.. What are the files that mae a Virt*al Ma%hine E
.!m+ / Virt*al Ma%hine "onfig*ration :ile
.n!ram / Virt*al Ma%hine 9I->
.!md / Virt*al Ma%hine Cis file
.!s,p / Virt*al Ma%hine >,ap :ile
.!msd / Virt*al M7%hine >napshot Catabase
.!msn / Virt*al Ma%hine >napshot file
.!mss / Virt*al Ma%hine >*spended >tate file
.!m,are.log / "*rrent )og :ile
.!m,are/L.log / -ld )og file
#1. What are the de!i%es that %an be added ,hile the !irt*al Ma%hine r*nning
In VI &.1 ,e %an add (ard Cis and NI"'s ,hile the ma%hine r*nning.
In !>phere ..? ,e %an add Memory and Pro%essor along ,ith (CC and NI"'s ,hile the
ma%hine r*nning
#2. (o, to set the time delay for 9I-> s%reen for a Virt*al Ma%hineE
'ight "li% on VM, sele%t edit settings, %hoose options tab and sele%t boot option, set the
delay ho, m*%h yo* ,ant.
#5. What is a template E
We %an %on!ert a VM into $emplate, and it %annot be po,ered on on%e its %hanged to
template. $his is *sed to F*i% pro!isioning of VM's.
#&. What to do to %*stomiKe the ,indo,s !irt*al ma%hine %lone,E
%opy the sysprep files to Virt*al %enter dire%tory on the ser!er, so that the ,iKard ,ill tae
the ad!antage of it.
#.. What to do to %*stomiKe the lin*+6*ni+ !irt*al ma%hine %lone,E
V" itself in%l*des the %*stomiKation tools, as these operating systems are a!ailable as open
so*r%e.
#1. Coes %loning from template happens bet,een t,o data%enters E
Hes.. it %an, if the template in one data%enter, ,e %an deploy the !m from that template in
another data%enter ,itho*t any problem.
#2. What are the %ommon iss*es ,ith snapshotsE What stops from taing a snapshot and
ho, to fi+ it E
If yo* %onfig*re the VM ,ith Mapped )UN's, then the snapshot failed. If it is mapped as
!irt*al then ,e %an tae a snapshot of it.
If yo* %onfig*re the VM ,ith Mapped )UN's as physi%al, yo* need to remo!e it to tae a
snapshot.
#5. What are the settings that are taen into to %onsideration ,hen ,e initiate a snapshot E
Virt*al Ma%hine "onfig*ration 3What hard,are is atta%hed to it4
>tate of the Virt*al Ma%hine (ard Cis file 3 $o re!ert ba% if needed4
>tate of the Virt*al Ma%hine Memory 3if it is po,ered on4
#;. What are the reF*irements for "on!erting a Physi%al ma%hine to VM E
7n agent needs to be installed on the Physi%al ma%hine
VI %lient needs to be installed ,ith "on!erter Pl*g/in
7 ser!er to import6e+port !irt*al ma%hines
#@. What is VMWare %onsolidated ba%*p E
It is a ba%*p frame,or, that s*pports &rd party *tilities to tae ba%*ps of 8>X ser!ers
and Virt*al Ma%hines. Its not a ba%*p ser!i%e.
&?. $o open the g*ided %onsolidation tool, ,hat are the *ser reF*irements E
$he *ser m*st be member of administrator, $he *ser sho*ld ha!e G)ogon as ser!i%eG
pri!ileges / $o gi!e a *ser these pri!ileges, open lo%al se% poli%y, sele%t )ogon as ser!i%e
poli%y and add the *ser the *ser sho*ld ha!e read a%%ess to 7C to send F*eries
1. Explain the physical topology of Virtual Infrastructure 3 Data Centre
a typi%al VM,are Infrastr*%t*re data %enter %onsists of basi% physi%al b*ilding blo%s s*%h as
+;2 %omp*ting ser!ers, storage net,ors and arrays, IP net,ors, a management ser!er
and destop %lients.!. "ow #o you configure Clusters$ "osts$ an# %esource &ools in
VI3
7 %l*ster is a gro*p of ser!ers ,oring together %losely as a single ser!er, to pro!ide high
a!ailability, load balan%ing and high performan%e. 7 host is a single +;2 %omp*ting ser!er
,ith indi!id*al %omp*ting and memory reso*r%es. 'eso*r%e pools are allo%ation of the
a!ailable reso*r%es in to pie%es for the proper distrib*tion. 3. 'hat are resource pools (
what)s the a#vantage of implementing them
7 VM,are 8>X 'eso*r%e pool is a pool of "PU and memory reso*r%es. Inside the pool,
reso*r%es are allo%ated based on the "PU and memory shares that are defined. $his pool
%an ha!e asso%iated a%%ess %ontrol and permissions. "lear management of reso*r%es to the
!irt*al ma%hines. *. Explain why V+ware E,- ,erver is preferre# over Virtual ,erver
or 'or.station for enterprise implementation
:or better reso*r%e management as it has a !irt*aliKation layer in!ol!ed in its ernel, ,hi%h
%omm*ni%ates ,ith the hard,are dire%tly. /. In what #ifferent scenarios or metho#s
can you manage a VI3
Using the Virt*al Infrastr*%t*re "lient ,e %an manage one es+ ser!er, *sing !irt*al %enter
,e %an manage more than 1 es+ ser!er.. and also ,e %an *se ser!i%e %onsole to manage it.
http=66sear%h!m,are.te%htarget.%om6tip6?,#;@.;&,sid15@Mg%i1#;?152Mmem1,??.html
0. Explain the #ifference 1etween access through Virtual Infrastructure Client 2vi
client3$ 'e1 access$ ,ervice Console access2ssh3 Using VI "lient ,e %an a%%ess the
8>X ser!er as ,ell as Virt*al "enter >er!er also, here ,e %an *se *ni+ type of
a*thenti%ation or ,indo,s type a*thenti%ation. 9*t to a%%ess the ser!i%e %onsole, ,e sho*ld
*se *ni+ type of a*thenti%ation preferably e!en tho*gh ,e %an a%%ess the ser!i%e %onsole
thro*gh ad a*thenti%ation *sing es+%fg/a*th, b*t it does not s*pport all f*n%tions to ,or
on, all the f*n%tions are a!ailable only ,ith root a%%o*nt ,hi%h is based on red hat )in*+
ernel. Using the ,eb a%%ess also ,e %an manage !irt*al %enter as ,ell as a single host. 9*t
all the enterprise feat*res are not s*pported.
Console access to the ,ervice Console
$he disad!antages to this mode are
yo* m*st be at the %onsole 3or %onne%t *sing an IP KVM4 and
yo* m*st no, )in*+ to a%%omplish yo*r tas 3no DUI4.
,," to the ,ervice Console
Ho* %an >>( to the %onsole prompt of an 8>X ser!er and re%ei!e the same )in*+ te+t
%onsole a%%ess as I sho,ed abo!e. $elnet is not allo,ed. $o *se this method, the 8>X ser!er
m*st be ,oring on the net,or and yo* m*st ha!e an >>( %lient on yo*r P" to %onne%t.
7gain, in this mode, yo* don't get a DUI interfa%e.
V+ware Virtual Infrastructure 2VI3 'e1 4ccess to the E,- ,erver
$his is the VM,are VI Web 7%%ess interfa%e. $he benefit to *sing this is that yo* get a DUI
%lient for yo*r 8>X ser!er ,itho*t ha!ing to install a %lient on yo*r lo%al ma%hine. $he
do,nside to the ,eb interfa%e is that yo* %an only perform basi% 8>X f*n%tions lie
%ontrolling e+isting ma%hines 3start6stop6pa*se4 and %onsole remote a%%ess. Ho* %annot add
ne, VMs, ,or ,ith VM storage, or VM net,ors. >till, this is a great interfa%e if yo* J*st
need to %he% the stat*s of yo*r 8>X VMs, restart a VM, or *se %onsole remote %ontrol.
V+ware Virtual Infrastructure Client 2VI Client3 to the ,erver
$he benefits to the VI %lient are that yo* ha!e f*ll a%%ess to do ,hate!er is needed on the
8>X >er!er and yo* get a DUI %lient to do it in. $he only do,nside is that yo* m*st install
the VI %lient appli%ation to do this. (o,e!er, the installation is negligible and the VI %lient is
the absol*te best ,ay to administer yo*r 8>X >er!er.
V+ware Virtual Infrastructure Client 2VI Client3 to the Virtual Center ,erver 2VC
,erver3
:rom this VI V" interfa%e, yo* %an manage all 8>X ser!ers, VM storage, VM net,ors, and
more. Virt*al "enter, of %o*rse, is an optional prod*%t that reF*ires additional li%enses and
hard,are.
5. Explain a#vantages or features of V+ware Virtual +achine 6ile ,ystem 2V+6,3
ItIs a %l*stered file system, e+%ellent s*pport for sharing bet,een 8>X ser!ers in a %l*ster.
6eatures
7llo,s a%%ess by m*ltiple 8>X >er!ers at the same time by implementing per/file lo%ing.
>">I 'eser!ations are only implemented ,hen )UN meta data is *pdated 3e.g. file name
%hange, file siKe %hange, et%.4
7dd or delete an 8>X >er!er from a VM,are VM:> !ol*me ,itho*t disr*pting other 8>X
>er!er hosts.
)VM allo,s for adapti!e blo% siKing and addressing for gro,ing files allo,s yo* to in%rease
a VM:> !ol*me on the fly 3by spanning m*ltiple VM:> !ol*mes4
With 8>X68>Xi. VM:> !ol*mes also %an be e+panded *sing )UN e+pansion
-ptimiKe yo*r !irt*al ma%hine I6- ,ith adJ*stable !ol*me, dis, file and blo% siKes.
'e%o!er !irt*al ma%hines faster and more reliably in the e!ent of ser!er fail*re ,ith
Cistrib*ted Jo*rnaling.
7imitations
"an be shared ,ith *p to &# 8>X >er!ers.
"an s*pport )UNs ,ith ma+ siKe of #$9 and a ma+ VM:> siKe of 2. $9 as of !ersion .
3!>phere4.
G$here is a VM:>/& limitation ,here ea%h tree of lined %lones %an only be r*n on ; 8>X
ser!ers. :or instan%e, if there is a tree of diss off the same base dis ,ith .? leaf nodes in
the tree, all .? leaf nodes %an be sim*ltaneo*sly r*n b*t they %an only r*n on *p to ; 8>X
hosts.G
VM:>/& limits files to #2#,1.. 3#
1;
4 blo%s, ,hi%h translates to #12 D9 for 1 M9 blo% siKes
3the defa*lt4 *p to # $9 for ; M9 blo% siKes.
8. 'hat are the types of #ata stores supporte# in E,-3./
i>">I datastores, :" >7N datastores, )o%al VM:>, N7> and N:>9. "ow can you configure
these #ifferent types of #atastores on E,-3./ If ,e ha!e :" %ards installed on the es+
ser!ers, by going to the storage option, ,e %an s%an for the l*ns.
1:.'hat is Vmware Consoli#ate ;ac.up 2VC;3 Explain your wor. exposure in
this area
VM,are "onsolidated 9a%*p is a ba%*p frame,or, ,hi%h enables &
rd
party tools to tae
ba%*ps. V"9 is *sed to help yo* ba%*p yo*r VM,are 8>X !irt*al ser!ers. 8ssentially, V"9
is a Gba%*p pro+y ser!erG. It is not ba%*p soft,are. If yo* *se V"9, yo* still need ba%*p
soft,are. It is %ommonly installed on its o,n dedi%ated Windo,s physi%al ser!er.
(ere are the benefits of VM,are's V"9=
"entraliKe ba%*ps of VM,are 8>X Virt*al >er!ers
Pro!ide file/le!el ba%*ps of VM,are 8>X Virt*al >er!ers / both f*ll and in%remental
3file le!el ba%*p a!ailable to only Windo,s g*ests4
Pro!ide image/le!el ba%*ps
Pre!ent yo* from ha!ing to load a ba%*p agent on e!ery Virt*al Ma%hine
Pre!ent yo* from ha!ing to sh*tdo,n Virt*al Ma%hines to get a ba%*p
Pro!ides )7N/:ree ba%*p be%a*se the V"9 ser!er is %onne%ted to the >7N thro*gh
yo*r fibre %hannel adaptor
Pro!ides %entraliKed storage of Virt*al >er!er ba%*ps on the V"9 ser!er, that is then
mo!ed to yo*r ba%*p tapes thro*gh the &rd party ba%*p agent yo* install
'ed*%es the load on the VM,are 8>X ser!ers by not ha!ing to load a &rd party
ba%*p agent on either the VM,are 8>X ser!i%e %onsole or on ea%h !irt*al ma%hine.
UtiliKes VM,are >napshots
9asi%ally, here is ho, V"9 ,ors=
If yo* are doing a file le!el ba%*p, V"9 does a snapshot of the VM, mo*nts the
snapshot, and allo,s yo* to ba%*p that mo*nted Gdri!eG thro*gh V"9 to yo*r &rd
party ba%*p soft,are
If yo* are doing an image le!el ba%*p of the VM, V"9 does a snapshot of the VM,
%opies the snapshot to the V"9 ser!er, *nsnaps the VM, and allo,s yo* to ba%*p
the %opied snapshot image ,ith yo*r &rd party ba%*p soft,are.
11. "ow #o you configure V+ware Virtual Centre +anagement ,erver for "4 (
D%, 'hat are the con#itions to 1e satisfie# for this setup
(7 N C'> are the properties of a "l*ster. 7 "l*ster %an be %reated only ,hen more than one
host added, in that %ase ,e need to %onfig*re (7 N C'> as ,ell to pro!ide (igh 7!ailability
and )oad balan%ing bet,een hosts and for the !irt*al ma%hines. 1!.Explain your wor.
relate# to 1elow terms <
VM Pro!isioning= Virt*al Ma%hine "reation.
7larms N 8!ent Management= 7larms are *sed to no, the stat*s of the reso*r%e *sage for
a VM. 8!ents are *sed monitor the tass that are taen pla%e on the es+ ser!ers or in the
!irt*al %enter
$as >%hed*ler= $as s%hed*ler, if yo* ,ant to s%hed*le a tas it ,ill be *sed, for e+ample if
yo* ,ant mo!e one !m from one host to another host or if yo* ,ant sh*tdo,n6reboot a !m
et%.
(ard,are "ompatibility )ist= ,hat are the hard,are that %ompatible ,ith 8>X ->.13.'hat
,4= or =4, 1oxes have you configure# V+ware with "ow #i# you #o that
>torage team ,ill pro!ide the )UN information, ,ith that ,e ,ill add those )UNs to 8>X
hosts from VM storage. 1*.'hat .in# of applications or setups you have on you
Virtual +achines
8+%hange ser!er and >hare Point, b*t these are for C8M- p*rposes, "irtri+ presentation
ser!ers et%.
1/. "ave you ever face# E,- server crashing an# Virtual Centre ,erver crash "ow
#o you .now the cause of these crashes in these cases
10. 'ill "4 wor. if Virtual Center ,erver is #own
714 (7 %ontin*es to ,or if V" is do,n / the agents are initially %onfig*red by !irt*al %enter,
b*t (7 operations are %ontrolled by lo%al agents on 8>X. V" does N-$ monitor the 8>X
ser!ers for (7. 8>X ser!ers monitor ea%h other.
C'> do not ,or ,hile V" is do,n.
7#4 :or C'>, the %onfig and logi% is %ompletely in V".
:or (7, only the %onfig is in V". $he logi% is in the ser!i%e %onsoles, and that's ,here the
rea%tion is %oming from. V" ,ill noti%e the (7 rea%tion after,ards ,hen it %onne%ts to the
ser!i%e %onsoles the ne+t time.
No, Why be%a*se all these f*t*res are %omes ,ith Virt*al "enter only.
15. 'hat are the situations which triggers v+otion automatically
'eso*r%e "ontention bet,een !irt*al ma%hines 3C'>4
Cistrib*ted po,er management
18. 'hat is D%,>"4>D&+>#v,witch>6?>v4pps>v,afe>v,hiel#s <-3
C'> = Cistrib*ted 'eso*r%e >%hed*ling
(7 = (igh 7!ailability
CPM = Cistrib*ted Po,er Management
d!>,it%h = Cistrib*te !>,it%h 0 ItIs a ne, feat*re introd*%ed in !>phere..?
:$ = :a*lt $oleran%e for Virt*al Ma%hines 0 itIs a ne, feat*re introd*%ed in !>phere..?
!7pps = !7pp is a %ontainer same as reso*r%e pool, b*t it is ha!ing some feat*res of !irt*al
ma%hines, a !7pp %an be po,ered on or po,ered off, and it %an be %loned too.
http=66%omm*nities.!m,are.%om6message61&?;.15L1&?;.15
!m>afe = VMsafe's appli%ation programming interfa%es are designed to help third/party
!endors %reate !irt*aliKation se%*rity prod*%ts that better se%*re VM,are 8>X, !>hield
Oones is a se%*rity tool targets the VM,are administrator.
!>hield = V>hield Oones is essentially a !irt*al fire,all designed to prote%t VMs and analyKe
!irt*al net,or traffi%. $his three/part series des%ribes !>hield Oones, e+plains ho, to install
it and pro!ides *sef*l management tips. $o begin, let's get started ,ith the basi%s= ,hat
!>hield Oones is and ho, it ,ors.
http=66sear%h!m,are.te%htarget.%om6tip6?,#;@.;&,sid15@Mg%i1&2&?11Mmem1,??.html
19. 'hat are the re@uirement for 6? http=66%omm*nities.!m,are.%om6thread6#?@@11
!:. 'hat are the #ifferences 1etween E,- an# E,-i 8>X is an -> ,ith f*ll feat*res of
!irt*aliKation, 8>Xi is a limited feat*res -> ,ith &#M9 image.
!1. 'hich are the new features intro#uce# in v,phere * AAAAA
1. 0*-1it hypervisor - 7ltho*gh not e!eryone realiKed it, the hyper!isor in 8>X >er!er &.1
,as &#/bit. 7s a res*lt, 8>X >er!er &.1 %o*ldn't tae f*ll ad!antage of today's more
po,erf*l 2./bit hard,are platforms. 8>X >er!er ..? *ses a nati!e 2./bit hyper!isor that
pro!ides signifi%ant performan%e and s%alability enhan%ements o!er the pre!io*s !ersions.
(o,e!er, the ne, hyper!isor does reF*ire a 2./bit hard,are platform.
!. Increase# V+ scala1ility - 8>X >er!er ..?'s ne, 2./bit ar%hite%t*re pro!ides
signifi%ant in%reases in s%alability. 8>X >er!er ..? s*pports !irt*al ma%hines 3VMs4 ,ith *p
to #11D9 of '7M per VM. In addition, the !>phere ..? 8nterprise Pl*s edition pro!ides
s*pport for *p to ;/,ay !irt*al >MP per VM. $he other editions s*pport *p to ./,ay !irt*al
>MP. $hese gains are a!ailable on both Windo,s and )in*+ g*ests.
3. "ot a## C&B$ %4+$ an# virtual #is.s - $his important enhan%ement in !>phere ..? is
designed to %reate a dynami% I$ infrastr*%t*re thro*gh the ability to add "PU, '7M, and
!irt*al diss to a r*nning VM. $he hot add %apability lets yo* dynami%ally in%rease yo*r VMs'
performan%e d*ring periods of high reso*r%e demands.
*. ?hin provisioning - $his feat*re is nothing ne, to Mi%rosoft !irt*aliKation *sersP
!>phere no, offers a thin/pro!isioning feat*re that's essentially the eF*i!alent of (yper/V's
dynami% diss. $hin pro!isioning lets yo* %reate and pro!ision a Virt*al (ard Cis 3V(C4,
b*t the host *ses only the amo*nt of storage that's a%t*ally reF*ired by the VM rather than
*sing the V(C's allo%ated siKe.
/. V+ware 6ault ?olerance - :a*lt $oleran%e is a ne, high/a!ailability feat*re in !>phere
..?. :a*lt $oleran%e ,ors only bet,een t,o systems. It *ses a te%hnology %alled !)o%step
to pro!ide prote%tion from system fail*re ,ith absol*tely no do,ntime. VM,are's !)o%step
te%hnology eeps the '7M and the !irt*al pro%essors of t,o VMs in syn% at the instr*%tion
le!el.
0. v=etwor. Distri1ute# ,witchC!>phere ..?'s !Net,or Cistrib*ted >,it%h lets yo*
%reate and share net,or %onfig*rations bet,een m*ltiple ser!ers. $he !Net,or
Cistrib*ted >,it%h spans m*ltiple 8>X >er!er hosts, letting yo* %onfig*re and manage
!irt*al net,ors at the %l*ster le!el. It also lets yo* mo!e net,or %onfig*ration and state
,ith a VM ,hen the VM is li!e migrated bet,een 8>X >er!er hosts.
5. I&v0 support - 7nother enhan%ement in !>phere ..? is s*pport for IP!2. Many
organiKations are planning to mo!e to IP!2. !>phere's IP!2 s*pport lets %*stomers manage
!"enter >er!er and 8>X >er!er hosts in mi+ed IP!.6IP!2 net,or en!ironments.
8. v4ppsC!7pps essentially lets yo* manage as a single entity m*ltiple ser!ers that
%omprise an n/tiered appli%ation. Using !7pps, yo* %an %ombine m*ltiple VMs, their
interdependen%ies, and their reso*r%e allo%ations together as a *nit. Ho* %an manage all the
%omponents of the !7pps as a single *nit, letting yo* po,er off, %lone, and deploy all the
!7pps %omponents in the same operations.
9. v,phere "ost Bp#ate BtilityC$he ne, !>phere (ost Update Utility lets yo* %entrally
*pdate yo*r 8>Xi and 8>X >er!er &.? and later hosts to 8>X >er!er ..?. $he UI displays the
stat*s of the remote *pdates in real time.
1:. V+ware v,hiel# DonesCVM,are's ne, !>hield Oones let %*stomers enfor%e net,or
a%%ess prote%tion bet,een VMs r*nning in the !irt*al data %enter. $he !>hield Oones feat*re
lets yo* isolate, bridge, and fire,all traffi% a%ross !"enter deployments.
!!. 'hich are the traffic shaping options availa1le to configure!3. 'hat is
promiscuous mo#e
If the promis%*o*s mode is enabled for a s,it%h, the traffi% sent that s,it%h ,ill be !isible to
all !mIs %onne%ted to that s,it%h. I mean, the data ,ill be broad%asted. !*. 'hat ma.es
i,C,I an# 6C #iffrent 7ddressing >%heme, i>">I relies on IP and :" not, and the type of
transfer of data also. In :" the data transferred as blo%s, in i>">I the data transferred as
files. $he %abling also, :" *ses :ibre %able and i>">I *ses 'Q.1.
!/. 'hat is the format for i,C,I a##ressing IP 7ddress
!0. V+Es ?as. +anager shows performance normal$ ;ut vCenter reports high
resource utiliFation$ what is the reason >ear%h K8H W-'C> = VM's performan%e
normal, !"enter reports high reso*r%e *tiliKation
http=66%omm*nities.!m,are.%om6message6;@5@51
!5. 'hat are the #ifferent types of memory management tric.s availa1le un#er
E,-
http=66en.,ordpress.%om6tag6es+/memory/management6
http=66,,,.%s.north,estern.ed*6Rfabianb6%lasses6%s/..&/s?168>X.pps!8. 'hat is
vmmemctl
http=66p*bs.!m,are.%om6!i&6resmgmt6,,help6,,himpl6%ommon6html6,,help.htmE
%onte+t<resmgmtNfile<!%Mad!an%edMmgmt.11.#..html !9. "ow we can list p=ICs (
status using comman# line if%onfig 0a
3:. 'hat is resource pool 'hat are the use of it
7 reso*r%e pool is a logi%al abstra%tion for fle+ible management of reso*r%es. 'eso*r%e pools
%an be gro*ped into hierar%hies and *sed to hierar%hi%ally partition a!ailable "PU and
memory reso*r%es.
31. 4s. a1out how "4 wor.s.
VM,are (7 pro!ides high a!ailability for !irt*al ma%hines by pooling them and the hosts
they reside on into a %l*ster. (osts in the %l*ster are monitored and in the e!ent of a fail*re,
the !irt*al ma%hines on a failed host are restarted on alternate hosts.
3!. Is "4 #epen#ent on virtual center
3-nly for Install4
33. 'hat is the +aximum "ost 6ailure allowe# in a cluster
3.4
3*. "ow #oes "4 .now to restart a V+ from a #roppe# "ost
3storage lo% ,ill be remo!ed from the metadata4
3/."ow many i,C,I targets will E,- support
; for &.?1, 32. for &.14
30 "ow +any 6i1er Channel targets
3#124 31#; on Install4
35 'hat is Vmotion
3ability to mo!e r*nning !m from one host to another4
38 'hat is virtual ,+& G
,hen and ,hy sho*ld yo* gi!e a !m m*ltiple !"PUs / part of their ans,er ,ho*ld be that
best pra%rti%e is to start ,ith a single !"PU be%a*se of yo* %an r*n into perfoman%e iss*es
do to "PU s%hed*ling 39 4s. what version of 7inux .ernel #oes E,- run
if they are tr*ly e+perien%ed they sho*ld say 8>X is not )in*+ and does not *se a )in*+
ernel / and gi!e them an e+tra poiJnt if they e+plain that the ser!i%e %onsole r*ns a
modified !ersion of 'ed (at 8nt & /
*: #oes "4 use vmotion
the ans,er is no / !m stops and restarts on 8>X other host
*1. what is the #ifferent when you use viclient connect to VC an# #irectly to E,-
server itself.
When yo* %onne%t to V" yo* manage 8>X ser!er !ia !p+a 37gent on es+ ser!er4. Vp+a then
pass those reF*est to hostd 3management ser!i%e on es+ ser!er4. When yo* %onne%t to 8>X
ser!er dire%tly, yo* %onne%t to hostd 3bypass !p+a4. Ho* %an e+tend this to a trobleshoot
%ase, ,here %onne%t to es+ see one thing and %onne%t to V" see another. >o the problem is
most liely o*t of syn% bet,een hostd and !p+a, Gser!i%e !m,are/!p+a restartG sho*ld tae
%are of it.
*!. 'hat was the most #ifficult V+'are relate# pro1lem>issue you face# in a
pro#uction environment an# what were the specific steps you too. to resolve it
(7 iss*es 0 be%a*se of dns problems, the hosts are *nable to %omm*ni%ate together.
"orre%ted by adding all ser!ers ipIs in ea%h ser!erIs 6et%6hosts file
VM ,as not po,ered *p 0 be%a*se the s,ap file ,as lo%ed by another host, ,hen I try to
po,er on the !m its not po,ering *p. 7fter releasing the lo% its po,ered on.
*3. 'hen was the last time you calle# V+ ,upport an# what was the issue
)i%ensing related iss*es.
**. 'hat was the most performance intensive pro#uction app that you supporte#
in V+ware an# what were the some of the challenges that it pose#
In e+%hange sharepoint demo proJe%t, getting lot of V)7N iss*es. 3its my e+perien%e, yo*
%an say yo*rs4
*/. "ow woul# you #etermine that a perf intensive app is a goo# can#i#ate
,pefically what tools woul# you use to i#entify can#i#ates. ,pecifically insi#e
those tools what metrics woul# you use
*0. 'hat is yor philosophy on how much of the #ata center can 1e virtualiFe# 2If
the interviewer wants max virtualiFation$ 1ut the interviewee is not convince# that
this is a goo# i#ea$ this coul# 1e a #eal 1rea.er3
*5. 'hat is your opinion on the virtualiFation ven#ors 2+, vs V+ vs Citrix vs etc3
an# why 2Hust trying to figure out if the can#i#ate is .eeping up with this ever
changing virtualiFation mar.et3
*8. I 1eleive another goo# @uestion woul# 1e to as. the can#i#ate to 1riefly
#escri1e V,?$ VI? ( E,? mo#e an# 8:!.1J trun.ing. I say this 1ecause
networ.ing is such an important part of V+ware implementations an# on going
support..$ #o you really want a V+ware engineer wor.ing in your environment if
they lac. the .nowle#ge of these concepts 2Kunless of course they are only
#elegate# with low level permissions for generic V+ operationsK3
More information on these mode's %an be fo*nd here=
,,,.!m,are.%om6pdf6es+&M!lanM,p.pdf
7lso as the %andidate to e+plain ,hy one mode ,o*ld be *sed as opposed to anotherE,
remember that there %an be n*mero*s reasons for the *se of different modes depending on
yo*r %ompany6%lient's net,or, se%*rity poli%ies et%..*9. If you are interviewing for a
consultant role it woul# also 1e a goo# scenario to provi#e a 1rief overview of a
fictional networ. an# as. the can#i#ate to #o a white1oar# #raft of how the
networ. woul# 1e laye# out if say the E,- servers have 0 =ICEs or 8 =ICEs etc..
etc...
/:. 'hat are nota1le files that represent a V+
.vmx 0 %onfig*ration settings for VM
.vmxf 0 %onfig*ration settings *sed to s*pport an XM)/based VM %onfig*ration 7PI
.vmtx 0 %onfig*ration settings for a $emplate VM 3repla%es the .!m+ file4
.vm#. 0 !irt*al dis file. 3Note= if a thi% dis is *sed, a 0flat.!md file that represents the
a%t*al monolithi% dis file ,ill e+ist b*t ,ill be hidden from the !>phere "lient.4
.nvram 0 non/!olatile memory 39I->4
.vswp 0 s,ap file *sed by 8>X68>Xi per VM to o!er%ommit memory, i.e. *se more memory
than physi%ally a!ailable. $his is %reated by the host a*tomati%ally ,hen po,ering on a VM
and deleted 3defa*lt beha!ior4 ,hen po,ering off a VM. >,ap files %an remain and tae *p
spa%e if a host failed prior to sh*tting do,n a VM properly. Normally the s,ap file is stored
in the lo%ation ,here the VM %onfig*ration files are eptP ho,e!er the lo%ation %an be
optionally lo%ated else,hereSfor e+ample, lo%ally for performan%e reasons and if *sing
N7>6N:>, lo%al s,ap sho*ld be *sed.
.vmss 0 s*spend file 3if pla%ed into s*spend po,er mode4 .vms# 0 for snapshot management .vmsn 0 snapshot file /1. "ost &rofiles
What li%ensing is reF*ired for (ost ProfilesE 7!ailable ,ith !>phere 8nterprise Pl*s edition.
/! Can "ost &rofiles wor. with E,->E,-i 3.x hosts
No. -nly starting ,ith 8>X68>Xi ..?.
/3 Can "ost &rofiles 1e use# with a cluster running 1oth E,- an# E,-i hosts
Hes, b*t remember to *se an 8>X host and not an 8>Xi host to %reate a profile for
*se.
In theory, (ost Profiles sho*ld ,or ,ith mi+ed host %l*sters, as it translates 8>X to
8>Xi, b*t be %aref*l as there are eno*gh differen%es bet,een 8>X and 8>Xi that %an
lead yo* to mae self/infli%ted errors ,hen applying (ost Profiles. $he easiest
method is to %reate %l*sters that are homogeneo*s and maintain t,o different
profiles for these t,o types of %l*sters.
/* Can "ost &rofiles wor. when using the Cisco =exus 1:::v
No, be%a*se (ost Profiles ,as designed ,ith the generi% !Net,or Cistrib*ted
>,it%h. $he "is%o Ne+*s 1???! s,it%h gi!es administrators finer/grained %ontrol of
the net,oring beyond ,hat (ost Profiles %an apply.
//. 'hat are host profiles
7 set of best pra%ti%ed %onfig*ration r*les, ,hi%h are %an be applied to entire %l*ster or to
an indi!id*al host. >o that all the hosts in syn% ,ith ea%h other, this ,ill a!oid !motion, drs
and ha problems.
/0. Coul# not power on V+< no swap file
My 8>Xi &.1 ma%hine r*ns ;/1? VMs 3Win#& and WinXP4 normally. 7t the moment, 1 of
them are %omplaining that they %annot Po,er -n. $hey seem to start and then %omplain
G"o*ld not po,er on VM= no s,ap fileG. I had a loo ,ith the data bro,ser. It's a small
installation, so the !s,p files o*ght to be in the same dire%tory as the !m+ file 3I did not
inttionally p*t them any,here else4. -f %o*rse I don't see a !s,p file there be%a*se the
ma%hine is not r*nning. I don't no, eno*gh abo*t the !m+ file str*%t*re to identify if
anything is ,rong in the spe%ifi%ations. I ha!e do,nloaded one of the !m+ files and atta%hed
it here. Please either tell me ,hat to %hange in that !m+ file, or s*ggest another approa%h
to get the ma%hines to start.
/5. 'hat are the availa1le ,torage options for virtual machines %aw #evice
mappings$ V+6,
http=66sear%h!m,are.te%htarget.%om6tip6?,#;@.;&,sid15@Mg%i1&1;552Mmem1,??.html
/8 .'hat are the #ifferences 1etween Virtual an# &hysical compati1ility mo#es
when mapping the %aw Devices to virtual machines
Ho* %an %onfig*re 'CM in t,o ,ays=
Virtual compati1ility mo#eSthis mode f*lly !irt*aliKes the mapped de!i%e, ,hi%h appears
to the g*est operating system as a !irt*al dis file on a VM:> !ol*me. Virt*al mode pro!ides
s*%h benefits of VM:> as ad!an%ed file lo%ing for data prote%tion and *se of snapshots.
&hysical compati1ility mo#eSthis mode pro!ides a%%ess to most hard,are %hara%teristi%s
of the mapped de!i%e. VMernel passes all >">I %ommands to the de!i%e, ,ith one
e+%eption, thereby e+posing all the physi%al %hara%teristi%s of the *nderlying hard,are. In
this mode, the mapping is done as follo,s, ,hen ,e %reate a mapping, the %onfig*ration
stored in a file and that file is stored ,ith the !m files in datastore. $his file points to the
ra, de!i%e and maes it a%%essible to the !m.
/9 .'hat are %D+ 7imitations
%D+ limitations
$here are t,o types of 'CMs= !irt*al %ompatibility mode 'CMs and physi%al %ompatibility
mode 'CMs. Physi%al mode 'CMs, in parti%*lar, ha!e some fairly signifi%ant limitations=
No VM,are snapshots
No V"9 s*pport, be%a*se V"9 reF*ires VM,are snapshots
No %loning VMs that *se physi%al mode 'CMs
No %on!erting VMs that *se physi%al mode 'CMs into templates
No migrating VMs ,ith physi%al mode 'CMs if the migration in!ol!es %opying the dis
No VMotion ,ith physi%al mode 'CMs
Virt*al mode 'CMs address some of these iss*es, allo,ing ra, )UNs to be treated !ery
m*%h lie !irt*al diss and enabling f*n%tionality lie VMotion, snapshotting, and %loning.
Virt*al mode 'CMs are a%%eptable in most %ases ,here 'CMs are reF*ired. :or e+ample,
!irt*al mode 'CMs %an be *sed in !irt*al/to/!irt*al %l*ster a%ross physi%al hosts. Note that
physi%al/to/!irt*al %l*sters a%ross bo+es, tho*gh, reF*ire physi%al mode 'CMs.
While !irt*al diss ,ill ,or for the large maJority of appli%ations and ,orloads in a VI
en!ironment, the *se of 'CMs//either !irt*al mode 'CMs or physi%al mode 'CMs//%an help
eliminate potential %ompatibility iss*es or allo, appli%ations to r*n !irt*aliKed ,itho*t any
loss of f*n%tionality.
1. VWare Fernel is a Pro$rietar+ Fenral and is not 0ased on an+ of the D?92 o$eratin)
s+ste*s< it;s a kernel develo$ed 0+ VWare Co*$an+.
2. #he VFernel !an;t 0oot it 0+ itself< so that it takes the hel$ of the (rd $art+ o$eratin)
s+ste*. 9n VWare !ase the kernel is 0ooted 0+ RedHat CinuA o$eratin) s+ste* whi!h is
known as servi!e !onsole.
(. #he servi!e !onsole is develo$ed 0ased u$ on Redhat CinuA G$eratin) s+ste*< it is used
to *ana)e the VFernel
,. #o restart we0a!!ess servi!e on v*ware
servi!e v*ware&we0a!!ess restart H this will restart a$a!he to*!at a$$
.. #o restart ssh servi!e on v*ware
servi!e sshd restart
3. #o restart host a)entBv*ware&hostd' on v*ware esA server
servi!e *)*t&v*ware restart
4. Path for the struts&!on6).A*l
/usr/li0/v*ware/we0A!!ess/to*!at/a$a!he&to*!at&....14/we0a$$s/ui/W1=&9?"/
7. #o start the s!ri$ted install the !o**and is
esA ksInfs%111.222.(((.,,,%/data/FS.!on6) ksdevi!eIeth:
lo!ation devi!e na*e
8. Virtual ?etwork in Si*$leJJJJJJ.
Virtual ?i!Bs' on Virtual a!hineBs' &&&&&K
Ph+si!al ?i! on the 1S2 Server BVirtual Swit!h & .3 Ports' &&&&&K
Ph+si!al Swit!h Port Should 0e trunked with all the VCA?S to whi!h the V;s need
a!!ess
All the 1S2 servers should 0e !on6)ured with Sa*e nu*0er of Ph+si!al ?i!s BvSwit!hes' and
Conne!tivit+ also should 0e sa*e< So that votion su!!eeds
All the Virtual a!hines are !onne!ted to one vSwit!h with Di/erent VCA?S< this *eans the
Ph+si!al ?i!BvSwit!h' needs to 0e trunked with the sa*e VCA?S on the Ph+si!al Swit!h Port
1: What are the three $ort )rou$s $resent in 1S2 server networkin)
1. Virtual a!hine Port Lrou$ & Dsed for Virtual a!hine ?etwork
2. Servi!e Console Port Lrou$ & Dsed for Servi!e Console Co**uni!ations
(. VFernel Port Lrou$ & Dsed for Votion< iSCS9< ?"S Co**uni!ations
11. What is the use of a Port Lrou$?
#he $ort )rou$ se)re)ates the t+$e of !o**uni!ation.
12. What are the t+$e of !o**uni!ations whi!h re-uires an 9P address for sure ?
Servi!e Console and VFernel BVotion and iSCS9'< these !o**uni!ations does not
ha$$en without an i$ address BWhether it is a sin)le or dedi!ated'
1(. 9n the 1S2 Server li!ensin) features Votion Ci!ense is showin) as ?ot used< wh+?
1ven thou)h the li!ense 0oA is sele!ted< it shows as MCi!ense ?ot DsedM until< +ou ena0le
the Votion o$tion for s$e!i6! vSwit!h
1,. How the Virtual a!hine Port )rou$ !o**uni!ation works ?
All the v*;s whi!h are !on6)ured in V Port Lrou$ are a0le to !onne!t to the $h+si!al
*a!hines on the network. So this $ort )rou$ ena0les !o**uni!ation 0etween vSwit!h and
Ph+si!al Swit!h to !onne!t v*;s to Ph+si!al a!hine;s
1.. What is a VCA? ?
A VCA? is a lo)i!al !on6)uration on the swit!h $ort to se)*ent the 9P #ra5!. "or this to
ha$$en< the $ort *ust 0e trunked with the !orre!t VCA? 9D.
13. Does the vSwit!hes su$$ort VCA? #a))in)? Wh+?
Nes< #he vSwit!hes su$$ort VCA? #a))in)< otherwise if the virtual *a!hines in an esA
host are !onne!ted to di/erent VCA?S< we need to install a se$arate $h+si!al ni! BvSwit!h'
for ever+ VCA?. #hat is the reason v*ware in!luded the VCA? ta))in) for vSwit!hes. So
ever+ vSwit!h su$$orts u$to 1:13 $orts< and =#W the+ !an su$$ort 1:13 VCA?S if needed<
0ut an 1S2 server doesnEt su$$ort that *an+ VEs. %'
14. What is Pro*is!uous ode on vSwit!h ? What ha$$ens if it sets to A!!e$t?
9f the $ro*is!uous *ode set to A!!e$t< all the !o**uni!ation is visi0le to all the virtual
*a!hines< in other words all the $a!kets are sent to all the $orts on vSwit!h
9f the $ro*is!uous *ode set to ReOe!t< the $a!kets are sent to inteded $ort< so that the
intended virtual *a!hine was a0le to see the !o**uni!ation.
17. What is AC address Chan)es ? What ha$$ens if it is set to A!!e$t ?
When we !reate a virtual *a!hine the !on6)uration wi>ard )enerates a AC address for that
*a!hine< +ou !an see it in the .v*A BV Con6)' 6le. 9f it doesn;t *at!hes with the AC
address in the GS this settin) does not allow in!o*in) tra5! to the V. So 0+ settin) ReOe!t
G$tion 0oth AC addresses will 0e re*ains sa*e< and the in!o*in) tra5! will 0e allowed to
the V.
18. What is "or)ed #rans*its ? What ha$$ens if it is set to A!!e$t ?
When we !reate a virtual *a!hine the !on6)uration wi>ard )enerates a AC address for that
*a!hine< +ou !an see it in the .v*A BV Con6)' 6le. 9f it doesn;t *at!hes with the AC
address in the GS this settin) does not allow out)oin) tra5! fro* the V. So 0+ settin)
ReOe!t G$tion 0oth AC addresses will 0e re*ains sa*e< and the out)oin) tra5! will 0e
allowed fro* the V.
2:. What are the !ore servi!es of VC ?
V $rovisionin) < #ask S!hedulin) and 1vent Co))in)
21. Can we do votion 0etween two data!enters ? 9f $ossi0le how it will 0e?
Nes we !an do votion 0etween two data!enters< 0ut the *andator+ re-uire*ent is the V
should 0e $owered o/.
22. What is VC a)ent? and what servi!e it is !orres$onded to? What are the *ini*u* re-;s
for VC a)ent installation ?
VC a)ent is an a)ent installed on 1S2 server whi!h ena0les !o**uni!ation 0etween VC and
1S2 server.
#he dae*on asso!iated with it is !alled v*ware&hostd < and the servi!e whi!h !orres$onds
to it is !alled as *)*t&v*ware< in the event of VC a)ent failure Oust restart the servi!e 0+
t+$in) the followin) !o**and at the servi!e !onsole
" service mgmt-vmware restart "
VC a)ent installed on the 1S2 server when we add it to the VC< so at the ti*e of installtion if
+ou are )ettin) an error like M VC A)ent servi!e failed to install M< !he!k the /G$t si>e
whether it is su5!ient or not.
2(. How !an +ou edit V9 Client Settin)s and VC Server Settin)s ?
Cli!k 1dit enu on VC and Sele!t Client Settin)s to !han)e V9 settin)s
Cli!k Ad*inistration enu on VC and Sele!t VC ana)e*ent Server Con6)uration to Chan)e
VC Settin)s
2,. What are the 6les that *ake a Virtual a!hine ?
.v*A & Virtual a!hine Con6)uration "ile
.nvra* & Virtual a!hine =9GS
.v*dk & Virtual a!hine Disk 6le
.vsw$ & Virtual a!hine Swa$ "ile
.v*sd & Virtual A!hine Sna$shot Data0ase
.v*sn & Virtual a!hine Sna$shot 6le
.v*ss & Virtual a!hine Sus$ended State 6le
.v*ware.lo) & Current Co) "ile
.v*ware&P.lo) & Gld Co) 6le
2.. What are the devi!es that !an 0e added while the virtual a!hine runnin)
9n V9 (.. we !an add Hard Disk and ?9C;s while the *a!hine runnin).
An !)phere ,.6 we can add Memory and (rocessor alon" with %++ and @A7Ks while the machine runnin"
23. How to set the ti*e dela+ for =9GS s!reen for a Virtual a!hine?
Ri)ht Cli!k on V< sele!t edit settin)s< !hoose o$tions ta0 and sele!t 0oot o$tion< set the
dela+ how *u!h +ou want.
24. What is a te*$late ?
We !an !onvert a V into #e*$late< and it !annot 0e $owered on on!e its !han)ed to
te*$late. #his is used to -ui!k $rovisionin) of V;s.
2(. What to do to !usto*i>e the windows virtual *a!hine !lone<?
!o$+ the s+s$re$ 6les to Virtual !enter dire!tor+ on the server< so that the wi>ard will take
the advanta)e of it.
2,. What to do to !usto*i>e the linuA/uniA virtual *a!hine !lone<?
VC itself in!ludes the !usto*i>ation tools< as these o$eratin) s+ste*s are availa0le as o$en
sour!e.
2.. Does !lonin) fro* te*$late ha$$ens 0etween two data!enters ?
Nes.. it !an< if the te*$late in one data!enter< we !an de$lo+ the v* fro* that te*$late in
another data!enter without an+ $ro0le*.
23. What are the !o**on issues with sna$shots? What sto$s fro* takin) a sna$shot and
how to 6A it ?
9f +ou !on6)ure the V with a$$ed CD?;s< then the sna$shot failed. 9f it is *a$$ed as
virtual then we !an take a sna$shot of it.
9f +ou !on6)ure the V with a$$ed CD?;s as $h+si!al< +ou need to re*ove it to take a
sna$shot.
24. What are the settin)s that are taken into to !onsideration when we initiate a sna$shot ?
Virtual a!hine Con6)uration BWhat hardware is atta!hed to it'
State of the Virtual a!hine Hard Disk 6le B #o revert 0a!k if needed'
State of the Virtual a!hine e*or+ Bif it is $owered on'
27. What are the re-uire*ents for Convertin) a Ph+si!al *a!hine to V ?
An a)ent needs to 0e installed on the Ph+si!al *a!hine
V9 !lient needs to 0e installed with Converter Plu)&in
A server to i*$ort/eA$ort virtual *a!hines
28. What is VWare !onsolidated 0a!ku$ ?
9t is a 0a!ku$ fra*ework< that su$$orts (rd $art+ utilities to take 0a!ku$s of 1S2 servers and
Virtual a!hines. 9ts not a 0a!ku$ servi!e.
(:. #o o$en the )uided !onsolidation tool< what are the user re-uire*ents ?
#he user *ust 0e *e*0er of ad*inistrator< #he user should have MCo)on as servi!eM
$rivile)es & #o )ive a user these $rivile)es< o$en lo!al se! $oli!+< sele!t Co)on as servi!e
$oli!+ and add the user the user should have read a!!ess to AD to send -ueries