Virtualization is the foundation of modern information technology. It helps businesses make the most of their resources, cut costs, and speed up innovation. It is the leader in data center virtualization, making it a vital skill for modern IT professionals.

This book is a step-by-step guide to achieving the VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization certification. Starting with virtualization fundamentals and the vSphere ecosystem, the book progresses through ESXi installation, vCenter deployment, networking, storage, virtual machine management, and cluster configuration. Readers will also explore lifecycle management, best practices, and real-world scenarios. Each chapter combines conceptual learning with hands-on insights, ensuring both exam readiness and practical skills.

By the end of this book, readers will be equipped to confidently design, implement, and manage VMware vSphere environments and will gain expertise in VM provisioning, high availability, resource optimization, automation, and security best practices. Above all, readers will be confident enough to get certified for the VCP-DCV certification and be able to apply these skills to advance their careers in the realm of virtualization and cloud infrastructures.

What you will learn

● Understand VMware vSphere’s role in modern virtualization platforms.

● Install and configure ESXi hosts for virtualization infrastructure.

● Deploy and configure vCenter Server appliance for management.

● Create and manage virtual networks with vSphere Standard Switches.

● Implement storage solutions using iSCSI, NFS, and VMFS.

● Deploy, optimize, and manage VMs with templates and snapshots.

● Configure vSphere clusters with HA, DRS, and lifecycle management.

Who this book is for

This book targets IT administrators, system engineers, virtualization experts, cloud/DevOps professionals, and data center architects getting ready for the VCP-DCV certification. Students and aspiring IT professionals who want to develop their VMware vSphere skills for career advancement can also benefit from it.

Table of Contents

1. Overview and Aim

2. Understanding Virtualization and vSphere

3. Installing and Setting Up ESXi

4. vCenter Deployment and Configuration

5. Networking in vSphere

6. Managing Storage in vSphere

7. Virtual Machine Deployment

8. Virtual Machines Management

9. vSphere Clusters Management

10. Lifecycle Management

11. Virtualization Best Practices

APPENDIX: Mock Exams and Preparation