VMware vSphere PowerCLI Reference

VMware vSphere PowerCLI Reference

by Luc Dekens, Jonathan Medd, Glenn Sizemore, Brian Graf, Andrew Sullivan, Matt Boren
Released January 2016
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9781118925119

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Book description

Master vSphere automation with this comprehensive reference

VMware vSphere PowerCLI Reference, Automating vSphere Administration, 2nd Edition is a one-stop solution for vSphere automation. Fully updated to align with the latest vSphere and PowerCLI release, this detailed guide shows you how to get the most out of PowerCLI's handy cmdlets using real-world examples and a practical, task-based approach. You'll learn how to store, access, update, back up, and secure massive amounts of data quickly through the power of virtualization automation, and you'll get acquainted with PowerCLI as you learn how to automate management, monitoring, and life-cycle operations for vSphere. Coverage includes areas like the PowerCLI SDK, SRM, vCOPS, and vCloud Air. Plus guidance toward scheduling and viewing automation, using DevOps methodology and structured testing and source control of your PowerCLI scripts. Clear language and detailed explanations make this reference the manual you've been looking for.

This book is your complete reference for managing vSphere in a Windows environment, with expert instruction and real-world application.

  • Automate vCenter Server deployment and configuration
  • Create and configure virtual machines, and utilize vApps
  • Monitor, audit, and report the status of your vSphere environment
  • Secure, back up, and restore your virtual machines
  • Work with other vSphere components from your PowerCLI scripts
  • Take control of your PowerCLI scripts through versioning and structured testing

Don't spend another day slogging through routine systems management — automate it, with this invaluable guide.

Table of contents

  1. Titlepage
  2. Copyright
  3. Dedication
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. About the Authors
  6. Introduction
  7. Part I: Install, Configure, and Manage the vSphere Environment
    1. Chapter 1: Automating vCenter Server Deployment and Configuration
      1. Prepare the vCenter Installation
      2. Create an Automated Installation
      3. Set Up Your vCenter Server Folder Structure
      4. Define Users and Their Privileges
      5. Configure Datacenters and Clusters
      6. Licensing
    2. Chapter 2: Automating vSphere Hypervisor Deployment and Configuration
      1. Prepare for an Installation
      2. Automate an Installation
    3. Chapter 3: Automating Networking
    4. Chapter 4: Automating Storage
      1. Set Up the Storage
      2. Storage Policies
      3. vSphere APIs for I/O Filtering
      4. VSAN
  8. Part II: Managing the Virtual Machine Life Cycle
    1. Using Advanced vSphere Features
      1. Configure EVC
      2. vFlash Read Cache
      3. Manage DRS Groups
      4. Use Fault Tolerance
      5. Use Distributed Power Management
      6. Configure Host Profiles
      7. Configure Active Directory Integration
    2. Chapter 6: Creating Virtual Machines
      1. Use the New-VM Cmdlet
      2. Perform a Mass Deployment
      3. Maintain VMware Tools
    3. Chapter 7: Using Templates and Customization Specifications
      1. Use Customization Specifications
      2. Use Templates
    4. Chapter 8: Configuring Virtual Machine Hardware
      1. Add, Configure, and Remove Virtual Hardware
      2. Optimize Storage Usage with Thin Provisioning
    5. Chapter 9: Advanced Virtual Machine Features
      1. Interact with the Guest OS
      2. Use vMotion and Storage vMotion
      3. Use and Manage Snapshots
    6. Chapter 10: Using vApps
      1. Import Virtual Appliances
      2. Create Your Own vApps
      3. Maintain vApps
  9. Part III: Securing Your vSphere Environment
    1. Chapter 11: Backing Up and Restoring Your Virtual Machines
      1. Work with Snapshots
      2. Create Do-It-Yourself Backups
      3. Restore Your VMs from a DIY Backup
      4. Change Block Tracking
      5. Provide PowerShell Support for Corporate Backup Applications
    2. Chapter 12: Organize Your Disaster Recovery
      1. Back Up Your vCenter Server Database
      2. Restore Your vCenter Server
      3. Export vCenter Server Inventory Items
      4. Import vCenter Server Inventory Items
      5. Recover Virtual Machines
    3. Chapter 13: Hardening the vSphere Environment
      1. Use the Hardening Guides
      2. Work with the Guidelines
      3. Bring It All Together
    4. Chapter 14: Maintain Security in Your vSphere Environment
      1. Install the vCenter Update Manager PowerCLI Snap-in
      2. Work with Baselines
      3. Work with Upgrades and Patches
      4. Report the Security Status
      5. Applying Patches Without vSphere Update Manager
  10. Part IV: Monitoring and Reporting
    1. Chapter 15: Reporting and Auditing
      1. The Basics
      2. Information Sources
      3. Report Formats
    2. Chapter 16: Using Statistical Data
      1. Understand Some Basic Concepts
      2. Gather Statistical Data
      3. Offload Statistical Data
    3. Chapter 17: Alarms
      1. Determine What to Monitor
      2. Use Alarms
  11. Part V: Integration
    1. Chapter 18: The SDK
      1. Work with the vSphere SDK
      2. Use the vSphere API Reference
      3. Use Managed Objects
      4. Code Parameter Objects
      5. Find the Method You Need
      6. Understand Return Values and Faults
      7. Put Some Tips and Tricks to Good Use
    2. Chapter 19: vCloud Director
      1. Prerequisites
      2. Connecting to vCloud Director
      3. Manage Organizations
      4. Manage Users
      5. Manage vDCs
      6. Manage vApps
      7. Manage VMs
      8. vCloud Director Networks
      9. Search-Cloud
    3. Chapter 20: vCloud Air
      1. Prerequisites
      2. General
      3. vCloud Air Authentication
      4. Set-PowerCLIConfiguration
      5. Open-VMConsoleWindow
      6. Tasks
      7. Get-CIView
    4. Chapter 21: vRealize Orchestrator
      1. Requirements
      2. Running an External Script
      3. Receiving a Return Code from an External Script
      4. Use Cases
      5. Alternative Method to the PowerShell Plug-in
      6. Calling vRO Workflows from PowerShell
    5. Chapter 22: Site Recovery Manager
      1. What Is SRM?
      2. Exploring the SRM Cmdlets
    6. Chapter 23: PowerActions
      1. Requirements
      2. Installation and Initial Configuration
      3. PowerCLI Console
      4. PowerCLI Scripts
      5. Further Use Cases
      6. Final Thoughts
  12. Part VI: PowerCLI and DevOps
    1. Chapter 24: Source Control
      1. File Services
      2. Apache Subversion
      3. GitHub
    2. Chapter 25: Running Scripts
      1. What Is a Script?
      2. Executing a Script
      3. Script Tips and Hints
      4. Getting Help
  13. Appendix: Example Reports
    1. Virtual Machines
    2. Guest Operating Systems
    3. Hosts
    4. Clusters
  14. End-User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: VMware vSphere PowerCLI Reference
  • Author(s): Luc Dekens, Jonathan Medd, Glenn Sizemore, Brian Graf, Andrew Sullivan, Matt Boren
  • Release date: January 2016
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781118925119