Vmware Interview Questions

Port Numbers
HTTP = 80; HTTPS =443; Heart Beat Port =902 [Communication Port]
Web Server port = 8086; SNMP = 161[In] ,162 [Out]; TCP/ IP=7 FTP=20,21
SSH = 22; Telnet =23; NTP = 123; DNS=53; DHCP=67; Software iscsi = 3260;
VMotion = 8000; HA = 2050 – 2250, 8042 – 8045; RDP = 3389; LDAP = 389;
vSphere Replication = 1234, 1235; vCenter Single Sign-On = 7005,7009,7080
SMTP-25; Communication Port (OR) Heartbeat Port (OR) HA Agent (OR) VC Agent- 902.
LICENSE SERVER—27000 and 27010, UDP-17, UPDATE MANAGER—80, 9000-9100
S/W ISCSI Client – 3260, VMware HA Traffic (or) AAM Agent— 2050-2250, 8042-8045.
Web Service HTTP:8080, Web Service HTTPS: 8443, NFS—111, SSL—636

For more details : https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-

vSphere/5.5/com.vmware.vsphere.upgrade.doc/GUID-925370DD-E3D1-455B-81C7-
CB28AAF20617.html

WINDOWS PORT NUMBERS: -

KERBEROS—88, DNS—53, LDAP—389, SPOP3—995, POP3—110, POP2—109, IMAP4—143
FTP—20 and 21, TELNET—23, IP-0, ICMP-1, GGP-3, TCP-6, EGP-8, NFSD-2049,
PUP—12, UDP—17, RDP—27, RUD—66, DOMAIN (or) DNS (or) Name Server – 53,
BootPC (or) DHCP Client - 68, BootPS (or) DHCPS - 67, Gopher – 70, RTelnet -107, Auth -113,
NNTP - 119, NTP - 123, BGP - 179, IRC - 194, IPX - 213, KPASSWD - 464, LOGIN/WHO - 513
CMD - 514, NETWALL - 533, KLOGIN - 543, KSHELL - 544, LDAPS - 636, DOOM - 666,
KERBEROS ADMIN - 749, KPOP - 1109, PHONE - 1167, MS-SQL-S - 1433, WINS - 1512, MAN -
9535.

Configuring networking from the ESX service console command line: -

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1000258
***Ensure the Network Adapter, you want to use is currently connected with the command…….
# esxcfg–nics– –l
***List Current Virtual Switches with The Command……………
#esxcfg–vswitch –l
***Create a New V-Switch with the Command………….
#esxcfg–vswitch –a vswitch1
***Create a Service Console Port Group On this New V-Switch………
#esxcfg–vswitch –A “service console” vswitch1
***Up-link vmnic1 to the new Virtual switch …………..
#esxcfg–vswitch –l vmnic1 vswitch1
***if you need to assign a vlan…………………
esxcfg–vswitch –v <vlan> –p” service console” vswitch0
***Verify the new V-Switch configuration….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Vmotion
• It Is One of The Vc Feature.
• Moving Running Virtual Machines from One ESXi Host to Another ESXi Host Without
Down Time Is Called Vmotion.
• Vmotion Works By Changes in Memory Bitmap

Why We Go for Vmotion

1. Host Maintenance Purpose
• While Updating Esx Host Updates.
• While Increasing Service Console Memory Up To 800 Mb.
ESX Host – 8GB RAM -> Default allocated Service Console RAM = 300MB
ESX Host – 16GB RAM -> Default allocated Service Console RAM = 400MB
ESX Host – 32GB RAM -> Default allocated Service Console RAM = 500MB
ESX Host – 64GB RAM -> Default allocated Service Console RAM = 602MB
ESX Host – 96GB RAM -> Default allocated Service Console RAM = 661MB
ESX Host – 128GB RAM -> Default allocated Service Console RAM = 703MB
Lessons learned:
Allocated Service Console memory is based on a formula which takes available
RAM into account. (Haven’t found the exact formula yet, if I do, I will of course
add it to this article.)
Always make your swap partition 1600MB; as an increase of RAM might
automatically lead to a swap partition which is too small.
Alternatively, you can change this parameter from the service console of the ESX host using
the vmkpcidivy command as follows:
(a) Log in to the ESX host service console as root from an SSH session or directly from
the console of the server.
(b) Type vmkpcidivy -i.
(c) Press Enter when prompted for the boot image configuration.
(d) Press Enter when prompted for the name of the configuration.
(e) Type a value between 192MB and 800MB when prompted for the Amount of
Memory for the service console.
(f) Press Enter.
(g) Continue to press Enter making no changes, until Configuration complete displays.
(h) Type y to commit changes.
(i) Press Enter.
• While Adding Any Hardware Like: Memory, CPU, Disk and Nic.

In the Above All Conditions Esx Host Reboot Is Required, So We Have to Place Esx Host into
Maintenance Mode.

2. Continuous Vm Operations
Insufficient Resources in Our Vm’s in that Scenario for Vm Continuous Operations Purpose
Better to Move Vm’s From One Esx Host to Another Esx Host.
3. Better H/W Utilization
Insufficient Resources in Our Esx Host in that Scenario Better to Move Vm’s From One
Host to Another Host.
While Moving Vm’s From One Host to Another Host We Have to Meet Some Conditions.
(1) CpuCompatibilty (CPU Should Be Same Family Either Intel (Or) AMD).
(2) Storage Should Be Common (Or) Shared Storage.
(3) Resources Should Be Available in Destination Host.
(4) Physical N/W Should Be Same Network.
(5) Create VMKernel Port Group in Both Source & Destination Host’s.
(6) No Access of Mountable Devices Ex: Cd, Floppy.
(7) No Permission to Vmx File.
(8) Host Should Be Configured with FQDN
(9) DNS Should Be Configured with Host Name

Svmotion
Moving Running Virtual Machine Disk Files from One Shared Storage to Another Shared Storage
Is Called Svmotion.
HA
• It Is One of The Vc Feature and Fail Over Mechanism.
• Used for Continuous Availability for Vm’s
• While Creation of Cluster in Vc We Have an Option Ha Cluster.
• Vc Allows Virtual Machines to Migrate & Restart on Another Esx Host When the Esx Host
Fails.

HA CONFIGURATION
• First Login into Vc → Right Click the Data Center → Select New Cluster Option.
• Here We Have Two Options One Is Ha (Failover Mechanism) & Second One Is Drs
(Load Balancing Mechanism).
• Now Enable Ha Cluster-->After That We Will Get A Wizard for Max Host Failures Default
Is 1, Maximum Is 4.
• Vm Priority Default Is ---Medium.
• Isolation Response Default Is -----Power Off.

Is Ha Dependent on Virtual Center? Only for Install

How does HA know to restart a VM from a dropped Host?
Storage lock will be removed from the metadata
What is the Maximum Host Failure allowed in a cluster? 4
How Many IP Addresses required for Cluster Nodes?
HA Cluster 32 IP Addresses &DRS Cluster 32 IP Addresses.

DRS:
• It is one of the VC features and its main function is Load Balancing Mechanism.
• It balances the Virtual Machine Load across Hosts in the Cluster.
• While creation of cluster in VC we have option to create DRS cluster.
 • In DRS cluster we can create resource pools.
• We can create resource pools either in standalone hosts (or) Clustered hosts.
• We can create 512 Resource pools under Host level, 128 under clustered.
DRS Conditions.
(1) CpuCompatibilty (CPU Should Be Same Family Either Intel (Or) Amd).
(2) Storage Should Be Common (Or) Shared Storage.
(3) Resources Should Be Available in Destination Host.
(4) Physical N/W Should Be Same Network.
(5) Create Vmkernel Port Group in Both Source & Destination Hosts.
(6) Host Should Be Configured with Fqdn
(7) Dns Should Be Configured with Host Name.
DRS CONFIGURATION
• First Login into VC→Right Click the Data Center. -->Select New Cluster Option.
• Here we have Two Options one is HA (Failover Mechanism) &Second one is DRS
(Load Balancing Mechanism).
• Now Enable DRS cluster. -->after that we will get a wizard for.
• Automation Level Recommended is –Fully Automation.
• Coming to Migration Threshold Recommended is 3 (or) 4 Star.
• Select DRS Rules (Affinity/In-Affinity).
• Select VM automation level –Partial Automation.
• Select Vm Swap file Location VM Directory Recommended.
• Click on Finish.
WHAT IS VIRTUALIZATION
• Virtualization is a technology that allows you to transform hardware into software
• Virtualization allows multiple Virtual Machines to run concurrently on a single computer

WHAT IS VM
Virtual Machine is a computer which looks like a Physical Machine but it is software
Generated Machine. It contains discrete set of files like
(a) Virtual Machine Configuration file --- vmname.vmx.
(b) Virtual Machine Disk file --- vmname.vmdk.
(c) Virtual Machine Bios File --- vmname.nvram.
(d) Virtual Machine Log file --- vmname.log.
(e) Virtual Machine Swap file --- vmname.vswp.
(f) Virtual Machine Snapshot List --- vmname.vmsd.
(g) Virtual Machine Snapshot Main File --- delta.vmdk
(h) Virtual Machine Snapshot Data --- Vmname.vmsn
(i) Virtual Machine Extend Config --- Vmname.Vmxf
(j) Virtual Machine Template --- Vmname.Vmtx.
Benefits:
(i) It is Easy to Move and Copy.
(ii) It is Easy to Manage.
(iii) It encapsulated a set of files
(iv) VMotion is one of the Main Features.
VMWARE TOOLS
After installing guest o.s we must install VMware tools to that particular vm. Since Tools
improve mouse performance, install device drivers, memory management, Time
synchronization and ability to gracefully shutdown.
HOW ESX SERVER WORKS (OR) HOW DOES VIRTUALIZATION WORKS.
• Virtualization uses either hosted or hypervisor architecture.
• A host-based virtualization system requires an operating system (such as Windows or
Linux) to be installed on the computer. Ex: Workstation 7.0
• ESX Server is a bare-metal hypervisor system which does not require an operating
system. The hypervisor is an operating system, ESX Server works based on X86
Architecture.
• ESX 3.5 Server manages up to 170 Virtual Machines.

Why the Companies Build Cloud Infrastructure in VMware?

• Shared IT Resources.
• Dynamic Resource Allocation
• Integrated Virtual Infrastructure Management Features.
• Application & Infrastructure Management Tools.
• Disaster Recovery & Patch and Update Manager Features.
• H/w Support & Guest Operating System Support
What is the difference between VMware &Hyper-V?
VMWARE HYPER-V
70-100 MB foot Print for ESX Server More than 2GB required
Optimized with H/w Vendors Generic windows Drivers
Vmware Vstorage VMFS Lacks of Integrated clustered file system
Ability to reclaim unused &Dup.memory No ability to reclaim unused & Duplicate Memory
Direct Driver Mode I/O Bottle neck in Parent O.S
Virtual Security Technology Nothing Comparable.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VI3 & VSPHERE 4.0

VIRTUAL INFRASTRUCTURE
3.5
ESX 3.X & Virtual Center 2.x
It supports for 32 Bit as well as 64 Bit
We can create up to 170 VM’s for each Host
Virtual Center 2.5 allows 200 Host’s & 2000
Vm’s
Virtual Infrastructure Client 2.5
In 3.5 we are using Standard Switch
VIRTUAL INFRASTRUCTURE 4.0
ESX 4.0 & Virtual Center 4.0
It supports only for 64 Bit.
We can create up to 320 VM’s for Each Host.
Virtual Center 4.0 allows 500 Host’s & 5000 Vm’s
vSphere Client 4.0
In 4.0 Standard Switch as well as Virtual Distributed
Switch
 Down Time for Changing CPU, Memory,
Disk, NIC.
Virtual Center Consolidate Backup (VCB)
3.5 Update Manager is 2.5
HA with Minimum Downtime
VM Version is 4.
No Downtime because it contains HOT Add’s feature.
It contains Data Recovery function
4.0 Update Manager is 4.0
HA + FT so No Down Time.
VM Version 7.

Diff Between VMware ESX & VMware ESXi

1) ESX Supports to Boot from SAN but ESXi does not support to SAN.
2) Remote console applications like Dell DRAC, HP ILO, IBM RSA, and FSC IRMC S2 are
supported with ESXi.
3) ESX supports to Web Access but ESXi does not support.
4) ESX Supports to SNMP but ESXi does not support to SNMP.
5) ESX Supports to Active Directory Integration but ESXi does not support to AD.
6) ESX Service Console is a standard Linux. It does not contain Service Console.
7) ESX Host supports to VC Features but ESXi does not support to VC Features.
Difference between TOP and ESX TOP Commands
• VMware ESXTOP Command is used for Storage Monitoring
• ESX TOP show the Service Console Performance (or) ESX HOST performance.
• Monitors overall storage performance per HBA
• Monitors storage performance per LUN
• Monitors storage performance per VM
• Top command is used to shows how many users are logged in to Virtual Centre.

How to restart ESX Management Agent - #service mgmt-vmware restart

How to check the state of VM using command line - #vmware-cmd<vmpath>gestate.

How to shut down a VM using command line - #vmware-cmd<vmpath>stop (or) stop hard.

Service console size. Service console default size is 272 MB default, maximum 800 mb.
What is VI Client
• It is a primary user component to enter into Virtual Infrastructure.
• It is a Graphical user Interface used to Configure ESX Host and Manage Virtual
machines.
• One of the main tabs in VI Client is Host Configuration. It contains 2 Sections, H/W &
S/W Configurations.
• H/W section contains Processors, Memory, Storage, Networking (Number of
Switches), Storage Adapters (HBA information) & Network Adapters (No. of Physical
Adapters Information).
• S/W Section contains ESX License features, Time Configuration (NTP), DNS and
Routing, VM startup/shutdown/swap file location, security profile (Firewall Settings) &
Host resource allocation (CPU, Memory and Disk).
 • VI client also contains VM Performance, user &groups permissions.
What is V C
• It is Centralized Management Tool; VC is installed on windows machine to centrally
manage Multiple ESX Hosts & VM’s
• H/W Requirements: CPU: 2.0 GHZ (or) higher Intel, AMD. Memory: 2GB minimum. Disc:
560MB Minimum, 2 GB Recommended. NIC: 10/100 GB.
• S/W Requirement: - 32-bit version, win-2000 with sp4, win-2003 with sp1, sp2.
• VC contains advanced features like VMotion, Svmotion, HA & DRS.
• During VC installation, the components installed by default are: VI Client, License Server,
Database Server, VMware Update Manager, VMware Converter Enterprise and vcserver.

VC AGENT, HOW IT WILL WORK?

• The VirtualCenter Agent, also referred to as vpxa or the Vmware-vpxa service, is what
allows a VirtualCenter Server to connect to a ESX host.
• Specifically, vpxa is the communication conduit to the hostd, which in turn
communicates to the ESX kernel.
• #service VMware-vpxa start.

You don’t have virtual center and you need to copy a running VM, what to do?
1. Copy. Vmx &. Vmdk both files and paste it in target machine
2. Right click on .vmx file→click on add inventory option.
WHAT IS VMKERNEL?
The VMKernel allows the virtual machines as well as the service console access to the
system’s hardware.

DATA CENTER
• After installing VC, we can create DC.
• DC is a primary container of Virtual Center Inventory Objects, such as Hosts, VMs
• From DC we can add & organize Clusters, Hosts and Folders.
• VC server contains multiple Data Centers.
• Inventory objects can interact within Data Centers but interaction across Data Centers is
limited.
RESOURCE POOL
• A Pool of Resources reserved for a Virtual Machine
• We can Add Resource Pools in Host Level & Clustered Level
• In Host Level we can add up to 512 Resource pools & in Clustered level 128.
• While creation of a Resource Pool, it provides different options like Reservation, Share,
Limited, Unlimited and Extent Options.

TEMPLATE
• It is one of the virtual center features.
• Template is Master copy of the Virtual Machine.
• By Template we can deploy ‘N’ number of Virtual Machines.
MULTIPLE VM DEPLOYMENT BY TEMPLATE
(1) Login into VC by VI Client.
(2) First, we need to take approval from Client.
(3) Prepare Project plan for VM Deployment
(4) Collect Resources Information from Manager Ex: CPU, Memory, Disk and NIC.
(5) Before we perform Deployment, we need to download sysprep file and prepare
Custom Specifications.
(6) Go to Inventory and select Virtual Machine & Template Option.
(7) Right Click Template select Deploy VM from Template option.
(8) Provide VM Name.
(9) Select Host Name/Cluster→Click on Next.
(10) Now Select Data Store
(11) Now we need to select Guest Customization Option.
a. Do not Customization
b. Customization with Customization wizard.
c. Customization with Existing Customization Specifications.
(12) Click on Finish.

CLONE
• It is one of the VC features.
• Clone is a duplicate copy of virtual machine.
• It is used in Testing & Development Environment.

CLONE VIRTUAL MACHINE

• First, we need to take Approval from Manager/Client and Prepare Project Plan.
• Login into VC by VI Client.
• Right click VM select Edit Settings Uncheck Connect at Power on Option.
• Now right click VM select Clone→Provide Clone VM Name.
• Select Host/Cluster to store Clone VM.
• Select Data Store → Click on Next.
• Now we need to select Guest Customization Option.
(a) Do not Customization
(b) Customization with Customization wizard.
(c) Customization with Existing Customization Specifications.
• Click on Finish
• Login into Clone VM →Provide Network Settings→Power on VM.
• Now Select Primary VM enable Connect at Power on Option.

SNAPSHOT
• It is one of the VC features.
• It is a pre reserved state of the Virtual Machine.
• It is used in Testing & Development Environment.
 • When we need to revert back the same state of VM without any changes in VM it is very
useful.
• Snapshot is used for UPDATES & CLONE Is used for UPGRADATION.

LOCKDOWN MODE
It is used to Prevents administrators from trying to directly manage ESX Hosts that are
already being managed by a Virtual Center.

Maps: It shows relationship between VMs, hosts, data stores & networks

VMWARE ESX NETWORKING CONCEPTS

• Networking features of ESX Server allow virtual machines to communicate with other
virtual machines within the same box and with outside world.
• Allows the service console to communicate and allow the VMKernel to take advantage
of IP-based storage and VMotion.

There are three types of network connections

• Service console port: access to ESX Server management network
• VMKernel port: access to VMotion, iSCSI and/or NFS/NAS networks
• Virtual machine port group: access to VM networks
• More than one connection type can exist on a single virtual switch.
• We can create maximum 127 VSwitches for ESX Server.
• Each VSwitch contains maximum 1016 Virtual NIC’s (or) Ports.
• VSwitch is an interface between service console to uplink (physical switch).
• In VM Network port group, VMs have IP addresses but in-Service Console port group
Service Console have IP.

There are three network policies

• Security, Traffic Shaping, NIC Teaming. Applies on Vswitch level & port group level.
• Security policy contains Promiscuous mode (Reject), Mac address Changes (Accept) &
Forged Transmit (Accept).
• Traffic Shaping policy contains peak bandwidth, average bandwidth & burst size.
• NIC Teaming contains Load balancing (Port Based, MAC Based, IP Based), Network
Failover detection.
• Virtual LANs (VLANs): allow the creation of multiple logical LANs within or across
physical network segments, it contains 4096 port groups.
• Distributed Switches: Individual host level Virtual Switches are abstracted into single
large Distributes Switches. It contains advanced features like Network VMotion, PVLAN’s
and Bidirectional Traffic Shaping. Distributed Switches are Independent of the number
of hosts.
• Standard Switches: Standard Switches are Individually managed & configured by Hosts
and VMs.

VIRTUAL SWITCH CREATION

 (1) Login ESX Host by VI Client.
(2) Go to ESX Host Configuration Tab & Select Networking Option in H/W Pane.
(3) Select Add Networking Option.
(4) It will Generate Network Connection Type Wizard.
(5) Select any One of Virtual Switch i.e.
(a) Service Console
(b) VM Kernel
(c) VM Networking
(6) While creation of virtual Switch we required Network Label ID, VLAN ID.
(7) Select Create Virtual Switch Option.
(8) Click on Finish.

HOW TO CREATE PORT GROUPS

(1) Login ESX Host by VI Client.
(2) Go to ESX Host Configuration Tab & Select Networking Option in H/w Pane.
(3) Click on Appropriate VSwitch Properties.
(4) Select VSwitch click on Add.
(5) Select any One of the Connection type.
(a) Service console Port Group
(b) VM Kernel Port Group.
(c) VM Network Port Group.
(6) While creation of Port groups we required Network Label Id, VLAN ID & IP Address.
(7) Click on Finish.

VMWARE ESX STORAGE CONCEPTS

• Storage option gives you the flexibility to set up your storage based on your cost,
performance, and manageability requirements
• Shared storage is useful for disaster recovery, high availability and moving VMs between
ESX Servers.
• VMware provide Fibre Channel SAN storage, Iscsi SAN storage, VMFS data store and
NFS data store to ESX Servers

Storage SAN, NAS, ISCSI Differences

INTER TRAN PROTOCOL BOOT BOOT VMOTION HA/ VCB VMFS PERFORMANCE
FACE S ESX VM DRS

FC FCHBA LUN FC/SCSI YES YES YES YES YES YES HIGH

SAN

ISCSI Iscsi LUN IP/SCSI YES YES YES YES YES YES MEDIUM
HBA
NIC FOL/ TCP/IP NO YES YES YES YES NTFS MEDIUM
NAS FIL
NIC SA/ TCP/IP YES YES NO NO YES YES MEDIUM
LOCAL SCSI
Fibre Channel SAN:
• A high-speed SCSI transport protocol used for Storage Area Networking (SAN)
• Multiple switches inter connect “fabric” in a Fibre Channel SAN.
• It Support to Boot ESX.
• It Support to Create a VMFS.
• It holds VMs’ files, ISO images, and templates
• It supports to VMotion, DRS, HA & VCB.
• FC SAN is recognized by the VMkernel during the boot sequence, it scans 256 LUN’S at
Boot time.
• Performance is high.
• It contains LUN addressing & Partition Addressing. i.e.
<” VMHBAID: TARGETID: LUNID”>&<” VMHBAID: TARGETID: LUNID: PARTITIONID”>

ISCSI SAN:
• It is IP based storage.
• It depends on TCP/IP Protocol
• It supports to Boot ESX using H/W Initiator Only.
• Using hardware initiator only
• It supports to create a VMFS.
• it holds VMs’ files, ISO images, and templates
• It supports to VMotion, DRS, HA & VCB.
• Performance is high.
• Between ISCSI & ESX we are using authentication protocol CHAP.
• Both service console and VMkernel need to access the ISCSI storage
• It contains S/W ISCSI & H/W ISCSI.
• S/W ISCSI = NIC + drivers (does not supports to BOOT ESX)
• H/W ISCSI =HBA + Drivers. (Supports for BOOT ESX.)
• To enable S/ W ISCSI
• Enable s/w Iscsi Client
• Create vmkernel Port group
• Enable iscsi storage group (or) Adapter.
Problem: Cannot Access ISCSI Storage
VMKernel port configured
Second Service Console port required
Is CHAP authentication required

VMFS DATASTORE
• Each virtual machine’s files are located in its own subdirectory
• VMFS is a VMware Files System to build Esx Cloud Infrastructure
• We can create VMFS and NFS data stores for the ESX Server.
• A VMFS data store is used to hold templates, ISO images and the files that make up a VM
• The size of a VMFS can be dynamically extended
• VMFS volumes are accessible in the service console
 • If the master extent is lost, it could cause data loss on the entire VMFS

Network Attached Storage (NAS):

• Storage shared over the network at a file system level
• Lower cost, lesser infrastructure investment required than Fibre Channel
• It does not support to Boot ESX
• It does not support to virtual center features like VMotion, DRS, HA & VCB.
• NAS Uses two protocols i.e. NFS (Network File System) & SMB.
• ESX Server supports NFS only
HOW TO ADD STORAGE
• Login into Esx Host by VI Client and go to Host Configuration Tab.
• It contains Two Panes - H/W Pane & S/W Pane.
• Go to H/W Pane, Select Storage option and click on add storage.
• It Generate a Add Storage Wizard.
• Select Storage Type
i. Disk/Lun
ii. NFS.
• If we select DISK/LUN option, then choose VMFS data store volumes, FC SCSI (or) Local SCSI
• If we select NFS OPTION. Then Choose Shared Folder Under N/W Connection.
• If we will select DISK/LUN then select SAN, LUN and Device Identifiers.
• If we will select NFS then provide server FQDN/IP, Folder name & Data Store Name.
• Click on Finish.

How to Enable S/W ISCSI? (OR) HOW TO CONFIGURE ISCSI.

• Enable S/W ISCSI Client in ESX Host Configuration Tab.
• Create VMKernel Port Group.
• While Creation of VMKernel Port Group, we required Network Label Id, VLAN Id & IP
Address
• Enable ISCSI Storage Group (or) Adapters.
• While Enable ISCSI Storage Adapter we need to Enable CHAP.

Diff between Software ISCSI & Hardware ISCSI?

H/W ISCSI: ISCSI HBA & Drivers. Supports Boot ESX.
S/W ISCSI: NIC + Drivers. Does not Support Boot ESX.

How many ISCSI targets will ESX support? 8 for 3.01, 64 for 3.5 and 4.0
How Many Fiber Channel targets in ESX? 256 (128 on Install)
ISCSI Software initiator port number 3260.

ITIL PROCESS
➢ Information Technology Infrastructure Library.
➢ It Contains 5 Modules.
(1) Service Strategy.
(2) Service Design
 (3) Service Transactions
(4) Service Operations.
(5) Continues Operation Improvements.
➢ In this my Role is Service Operations i.e. Request Fulfillment.

What Is Your Challenging Troubleshooting Vm / Host / Vc?

Vm level Troubleshooting
Fail to Power on Vm Cause: Because of insufficient resources and no space in data store.
• First, we need to increase VM resources (or) Data store resources.
• In this situation Verify Data store resources utilization information by using vdf-h
• Verify service console resource utilization by using df-h commands.
• Then freeze disk by deleting Temp files, unnecessary information and unused ISOi
images.
• Then it will fix.

VM Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) (OR) HUNG Status

First verify whether it is pinging or not. If it pinging then it’s a false alert.
Suppose if it is not pinging then
• Login into VC and verify the status of VM by using VM Console Option.
• If there is any Hung Status (or) BSOD then Reset the Virtual Machine. It will fix the issue.
• Suppose we are unable to fix the Issue, then login into ESX Service Console and type
command #VMware –cmd<Appropriate VM path> Start/Starthard.
• Then it will fix the Issue.

Virtual Machine Monitor Faults: (VMM)

• We need to verify vmware.log files.
• Check VMware Tools Version
• Suppose VM is in hung status then type #VM-Support. This will extract all Log Files from
VC.
• Finally, Guest O.S Problems like Incorrect O.S Patches are Applied.

HOST LEVEL TROUBLESHOOTINGS

Esx Firewall Not Responding
• In this case we can’t ping ESX Host.
• We can’t connect via SSH (or) VI Client
• ESX will not respond in VC Management Server.
Solution is Reset the Firewall by using the command #esxcfg-firewall –r

VMWARE HOSTD SERVICE IS NOT RESPONDING

• Hostd Management service is the main communication channel between ESX Host and
VMKernel. If Hostd fails, then ESX Host will disconnect from VC.
• So, Verify the Hostd Service by using #service mgmt-VMware status.
• If it is in stop state then restart by using #service mgmt-VMware start.
HOSTD FAILS TO START
• First, we need to check Network File System (NFS) (or) Server Message Blocks (SMB)
mounts on ESX Host.
• Check firewall directory i.e. service.xml.

VM fails to CLONE in VC
• First Login into appropriate HOST Service Console.
• We need to restart VC server service #service vmware-vpxa restart

ESX HOST HALTED (OR) NOT RESPONDING

• In this case increase the Service Console Memory.
• Verify the Shared Storage Connectivity.
• Verify the Disk space in ESX Host.
• Verify the VC Server Versions.
• Verify Environmental Factors like any power outage, Nic unplugged, Thermal outage and
any Attached (or) detached Hardware devices.

ESX HOST GOES DOWN (PSOD)

1. Host failures mainly depend on Hardware & Memory.
2. Like VMKernel & Service Console.
3. PSOD Comes by VMKernel Crash.
1st Scenario:
• First verify whether it is Pinging (or) Not if it is Pinging then it’s False alert
• If it is not Pinging then Login into ILO (Integrated Light Out) (If it is HP Box).
• Verify the ESX Server status by using Remote Console Option, if it is in PSOD (or) Any
Hung Status (or) Not Responding.
• Go to Power Management Option Reset the ESX Host then it will fix the Issue.
2nd Scenario:
• For Suppose we are unable to fix the Issue by ILO then call to Data Center Person and
inform him to check the ESX Server Status is any Power outage, NIC unplugged & any
Thermal Sensor outage. After that it will fix the Issue.

3rd Scenario:
RCA:
• After Rebooting the ESX Host it will generate one core dump file i.e.” VMKernel Dump”
under ROOT Directory.
• By using #VMKdump-l <VMKernel Dump>. We can Extract Log File from Core Dump.
• At the end of this file we will be able to see what had happen to the server.
• Otherwise contact VMware Support team.
• If we are unable to find RCA here then go to ILO IML (Integrated Management Logs)
here we can find RCA.
• Otherwise got Event Viewer based on Time stamp we can find RCA.
• Otherwise go to HP System Manager & HP System Inside Manager we can find RCA.
 • In Windows, we use third party tool WINDBG UTILITY to extract the file.

VIRTUAL CENTER ISSUES

VC CAN NOT LOGIN & ADD HOST TO VC FAILS
• Verify VC server agent service VPXA by using
• # service vmware-vpxa status if it is in stop status then start
• #service vmware-vpxa start/restart.
• Check HOSTD service start by using #service mgmt-vmware start.

ADDING HOST TO HA CLUSTER FAILES ACCESS DENIED

• We have to add permissions to HA by using HA Agent service i.e. AAM.
• By using AAM>addnodeesxservername
• AAM>createuser root esxservername Node PERM_ALL.

VC server fails to start after you replace Default SSL certificate

• To resolve this Issue by changing database password.
• First, we need to stop VC server service.
• Change VC directory default location i.e. C:/Windows.
• Run the VPXD.exe –p command. It asks password
• Enter new password then restart VC server service.

Esx Commands: -
Login to the service console [Alt +F1] or putty
# vmware-cmd -l = To view the VMs List
# vmware-cmd<VM Path> start = To Start the VM
# vmware-cmd<VM Path> start hard = To Start the VM
# vmware-cmd<VM Path> stop = To Stop the VM
# vmware-cmd<VM Path> stop hard = To Stop the VM
Here, VM Path = /VMFS/Volumes/Datastore name/VM name/Vmname.vmx

VI Deployment
-How to virtualize the datacenter if you have 400+ Physical servers
-How to Deploy 100+ Physical /Virtual servers
-How to prepare a plan for new project [50+ servers]
-How to create a two test machines on Friday [Weekend]

How to change permit root login no to yes

Login to ESX Service console [Alt+F1]
#vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config [Press Enter]
In the file content go to the second page we can find
"permit root login no"
To Edit Settings: - Press I or Insert Key
Change the permit root login no to yes
TO save Settings: - Press Esc Key and type ":wq" for save and quit
 To restart SSH Service: - #service sshd restart
Note: - If there is any network issue needs to restart the network service
#service network restart

Unable to add the ESX host to VC/ ESX host is showing as not responding-Steps
1.First verify whether the ESX Host is ping or not.
If it is not pinging need to resolve the network issue.
If it is pinging go to the next step.
2.Check the ESX Host name or IP Address and Login credentials whether it is correct or not.
3.Verify the ESX Host Agent service status
#service mgmt-vmware status
If it is not running
#service mgmt-vmware restart = To restart the host agent service
4.still problem persists, check for vpxa service status
#service vmware-vpxa status
If it is not running needs to start the service
#service vmware-vpxa start/restart
5.It will resolve the issue.

ESXi not responding & ESX is showing as disconnected-Steps to be followed

1) Ping the ESX whether it is pinging or not
2) verify Esx Login Credentials
3) Verify Hostd service is running or not by using following command
#service mgmt-vmware status
4) If the service is not running need to restart the host agent service
#service mgmt-vmware restart

Recent Big Issue:

One of ESXi4.1 host has down and become operational again with in few seconds.

RCA: - Root cause analysis

-At the time of host down VM backups are running that is the reason host hardware utilization
is continuously increases finally it went down.
-When i select the host -->hardware status tab it is popped up an error like Host monitoring
service is not running.
-For this issue we have to restart the VC Server service & VC Web access service
-Even after restarting the vc services it does not work hence i have plan for migrate the
particular host Vm’s to another host then restart host agent services or host reboot however
VMotion got failed for these Vm’s
-Finally, I got an approval from my client to power off all the production Vm’s & esx03
-I have migrated all Vm’s to another host using cold migration option & restarted the ESXi
-Now new issue is it does allow to login and popped up an error is "Authentication denied;
direct console access has been disabled by administrator for hostname"
This occurs when total lockdown mode is enabled.
To resolve this: VMware support has suggested reinstalling the ESXi host.
1) Rebuilt the ESX host.
2) Configured Network connections.
3) Enabled NTP Server.

HA Recent Issue
HA is by far the most dependent on DNS, this was fixed by using host files. Anything that needs
to resolve based on a host name will need a host file (HA, vMotion, adding hosts, etc.).
vCenter may need to be adjusted as well. Add the host file that we saved to this location like we
did before by pasting it into the host file.
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts
That will allow vCenter to resolve the hosts as well. This should take care of DNS in the
environment as long as there is no additional growth. If your customer needs more assistance
with DNS, then that would be up to him to fix it in his environment. These adjustments should
fix the issue with the hosts and vCenter for you. Although this is a supported setup, it does
make something more difficult. I really hope this clarifies some of the issues that had in the
environment. Please let me if it does not. For now, would you like to close the case?
Looking forward to hearing from you. You can contact me at 1877-4VMware, opt 4, opt 2, then
the SR/Case number. If I am unavailable, please ask for the next available TSE. Have a great day!

How VMotion works

-Users currently accessing VM A on esx01
-Initiate migration of VM A from esx01 to esx02 -while VM A is up and running
-Pre-copy memory from esx01 to esx02
-Log ongoing memory changes into a memory bitmap on esx01
-Quiesce virtual machine on esx01
-Copy memory bitmap to esx02
-Copy VM’s remaining memory (as listed in memory bitmap) from esx01
-Start VM A on esx02
-Users now access VM A on esx02
-Delete VM A from esx01

VC is not responding & VC is showing as disconnected ---Steps to be followed

1)Ping the vc IP whether it is pinging or not
2)verify VC Login Credentials
3)Verify VPxa service is running or not by using following command
#service vmware-vpxa status or Start->Run-->Services.msc-->verify Virtual center server is in
started state or not
4)If the service is not running need to restart the VC agent service
#service vmware-vpxa restart
Or Start->Run-->Services.msc-->Start the Virtual center server service

How to create a Portgroup: -

Login to the VI client -->select the Esx host-->go to the configuration tab-->under configuration
tab -->select networking-->in the right pane select vswitch properties-->in the vswitch
properties wizard click on add--> choose appropriate network connect type and assign
necessary details click on finish.
Minimum requirement to create a Service console portgroup/vmkernal port group: -
-Network label name
-VlanID [Optional]
-Ip Settings

Minimum requirements to create a vm network portgroup: -

-Network label name
-VLAN ID [Optional]

BACKUP
Differential: - Backup selected files only if they were created or modified since the previous
backup, but does not mark them as backup.
Incremental: -Backup selected files only if they were created or modified since the previous
backup.
**As a VMware Administrator, need to verify the All Physical and virtual machines
Backup status.

Verifying Backup Reports: -

1)Success: - If the Backup report status is showing as success needs to send a mail to team...
Verified the backup report and all client’s backup is completed successfully.

2)Failed: - If the backup status is failed for any client need to check the following options
--First verify the BA client service is running or not, if it is not running start the service
and inform to backup team
I have restarted the baclientservice, could you please rerun the backup.
--Need to verify the server status during backup schedule time.
--Need to check the Backup Adapter is properly defined or not
--If there is any issue with Baclientsoftware, Reinstall it.
--If there is any routing issue, add the appropriate route using route add command
start-->run-->cmd -->route add like "Route add 10.232.8.96 mask 255.255.255.224
10.232.185.XX –p"

3) Missed: -- If the backup status is missed for any server need to verify the following options
---Verify whether the server is existing or not. If it is not in network since week time,
just update the same info to team/customer
---Contact the backup team whether the server is added to proper group or not.
---check for the server naming convention
4)Started: - if the backup status is showing as started need to follow the following steps
---Check the server backup size
 ---verify is there any scheduled jobs [Any application maintenance] during backup. If
you find any info update the same status to customer/team
Note: - If you are unable to resolve any backup issue, finally raise a service request to the
backup team to investigate the issue

UPDATE MANAGER: How to upgrade ESX 3.5 to ESX 4

1) Login to VC 4 and enable VMware update mgr client.
2) Download ESX 4 iso or ESX 4 zip and placed into a common location
3) Create a baseline for ESX Host upgrade
4) Upload Esx iso or zip to baseline
5) Go to the Inventory select the appropriate ESX Host
6)scan the inventory, choose the baseline and verify the non-compliance
7)Remediate ESX Host
Note: - Baseline = The set of patches

VMware Converter 4.0: Pre-Conversion steps for P2V Conversion

Prepare a project plan for the P2V Converter and mention all actionable items like converter
tool name, how many CPU’s, mem, how much amount of disk and how many nics?
-Need to choose the which is best candidate- Depends upon the solarwinds performance
reports we need to choose which is underutilized system that is the best candidate to convert
P2V
-Need to uninstall the Antivirus on the Physical server
-Take the benchmarks of the Physical server [System name, IP Settings, Drive details,
Persistent routes ...etc.,]
-Choose any of the converter tool Ex: -VMware standalone Converter 4.0
-Install the converter on the physical server
-Converter Steps
-Specify Source
-Specify Destination
-View/Edit Options
-Ready to complete
Note: - In view/Edit options need to uncheck the Network "connected at Power on" option
-It allows to edit the C drive size.

Post Conversion Steps: -

-Power on the vm
-Install VMware Tools
-Assign IP Settings
-Join the system to domain
-Install the Antivirus
-Uninstall the Hardware Agents

Ex: - HP System Manager for HP Box & Dell Open Manage for Dell Boxes. etc.,
 -Need to verify the VM Services and all are up and running or not
-Verify the All Benchmarks
-Place the VM is in Production

How the Conversion work

-File level Cloning or Block level Cloning
Difference Between ESX &ESXi
http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/esxi-and-esx/compare.html

Firmware Updates: -
Firmware is a combination of software and hardware.
Normally, for any Hardware related issues recommend solution is first verify the firmware
version. If it is running with older version. We need to update it to latest version.
Update Procedure: -1. As per the HP support team, Get the download link and download the
respective firmware, placed in to the local system. Install it manually.
Procedure: - 2. Once you download the firmware *.iso file, Placed in to the any utility server
and Access the affected system-iLo --->Mount the iso using administration tab--> Go to the
power mgmt option -->reset the system--->it will start booting from iso --->monitor the
firmware upgrade process from Remote console option-->once the upgradation is completed.
Restart the server and check the latest firmware version.
Procedure:-3 Download the appropriate firmware version and placed into HP SIM server--
>Go to all server section-->select the respective server-->Go to the deploy-->Deploy Drivers,
Firmware and agents--->Install software and firmware --->Mount the iso-->click on finish--->it
will start the installation process -->needs to monitor from integrated remote console option.
once the upgradation is completed. Restart the server and check the latest firmware version.

How-to upgrade Esx 4.0 to 4.1 command line

Do you want to upgrade your ESX 4.0 to 4.1, but VUM just doesn’t work?
Here is an easy way to fix that…use command line…
- download the upgrade-4.0-4.1.zip file from VMware
- upload it to one of your data stores
- ssh into your Esx server
- run the upgrade
Esxupdate update –bundle=/vmfs/volumes/XXX/upgrade-4.0-4.1.zip
NOTE: make sure you put your esx into “mantainence mode” first.

ESX Server Building Process: -

Pre-Installation Steps: -
-Verify Hardware Compatible List
-Configure HP-iLO, DELL-DRAC, IBM-RSA
-Download the ESX iso file
-Get the IP Settings from Networking Team
 -Get the LUN Details from Storage Team
-Connect to Server using iLO/DRAC/RSA
-Install VMware ESX server
Post -Installation Steps: -
-Change the Permit root login No to yes
-Enable NTP
-Enable SNMP
-Increase service console memory -- Configure Host file [/etc/hosts]

Server Health status

-Depends upon the server availability report & Performance report we can easily verify the
server health status.

Windows Alerts &VMware Alerts --- Server UP/Down

ESX server is down/PSOD- Purple Screen of death/Host is not responding/host is

disconnected
1) Verify whether the ESX server is pinging or not.
If the ESX server is not pinging [Request timed out]
2) Access the server via alternate IP Ex: - HP -iLoIP,DEll DRAC IP,Bladeencloser IP
and go to the remote console verify the server status. If it is showing as hang state or
PSOD or unexpected error. Recommended solution is need to reset the machine using
Power mgmt option
If the ESX Server is UP we need look for Root cause [RCA-Root Cause Analysis]
3)Suppose Unable to resolve the issue via alternate server access Need to contact respective
Datacenter person and inform the same and suggest for manual reboot.
If the ESX Server is UP we need look for Root cause [RCA-Root Cause Analysis]
4) In case still problem persists it may problem with hardware or environmental issue.
If the problem with hardware need to contact the appropriate vendor like HP, DELL&
IBM.
I f the problem with power outage need to wait until the power is up and share the
update to next level.

RCA-Root cause Analysis for PSOD: -

-Review the logs from the PSOD dump After the system is rebooted the core dump is placed in
the /root directory
-Use vmkdump –l <core_dump_file>to extract the vmkernellog from the core dump
-A vmware-log.1 file is extracted from the dump
-Near the end of this file you will be able to see what had happened on the system

RCA for BSOD: -

-After the system [physical or virtual] is restarted. It will create a memory dump file under
c:\windows
-The memory dump file will be "memory.dmp"
-To analyze this file, we can use "WinDBG utility"-windows debugger utility
-If I am unable to analyze this file, I can contact next level or Microsoft support for more help.

If the ESX Server is Pinging still we are unable to add the host to VC ...it says not responding
or disconnected.
-Verify the ESX Server name or IP Address and Login credentials
-Still problem persists Verify the ESX host mgmt service
#service mgmt-vmware status = To verify the ESX host agent service status
If it is in stopped state need to start the service
#service mgmt-vmware start or restart
-However Unable to add to VC--- Apply the following command
#service vmware-vpxa status = To verify the VC Agent service status
If it is in stopped state need to start the service.
If there is any network issue need to restart the network service
#service network restart
It will fix the issue.
Still unable to resolve the issue depends upon the error message just research in
kb.vmware.com
we can find the resolution steps and easily fix the issue.

Troubleshooting steps for the Service down Issue: -

•First verify the particular server IP whether it is pinging or not.
Step:1
•Login to the server go the services.msc. (Or)
•Try to view or manage services on a remote server by using the services snap-in (services.msc)
•Start the affected service.
Step:2
- Go to the Services.msc-->select affected service-->properties -->general tab-->check for actual
service
path and verify whether the required file exist or not.
-If it is not present copy from the working machine, start the service.it will fix the issue.
Step:3
-If we are unable to access server RDP check the server hardware IP List in Troom[Team
Website].
--Find out the alternate server access details like Virtual center IP, ILO IP, Blade Encloser IP,
DRAC IP & ESX IP etc.,
--Login to appropriate option verify the server status using remote console option, try to
resolve the issue.
--If we are unable to fix from remote console. Go to the power management option and reset
the server. (Please take the necessary approval before rebooting the server as per the
escalation procedure).
--Once the server has rebooted successfully.
--Log in to the server start the affected service.
--It will fix the issue.
--Suppose if we are unable to fix from the iLo/DRAC/Blade encloser call to the operations
helpdesk and inform about the failure. They direct to the appropriate datacenter person.
(Helpdesk contact details are available in T-room or On-Call Calendar)
--Once the issue has resolved we need to look for the root cause.
RCA-Root Cause Analysis or RFO-Reason for Outage: -
--Log in to server event viewer verify whether it is system error or application error with the
time frame.
--Find the appropriate Application logs ex: - Sql server Error logs.
Please add your explanation if anything I missed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PERFORMANCE ISSUES --------ESX Host CPU/ Mem over 80% ,90% To Resolve this
1)First verify the all Esx virtual machines, is there any backup running on them.
If yes just update to team -- Currently VMs backup is in progress that is the reason Esx host
CPU consumes more than 80%
We will just keep an eye until backup finish.
2)Still problem persists we need to Migrate a vm to another Esx using vMotion technique.
3)Finally Esx host CPU is back on normal state
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Physical Server CPU/Mem Over 80% ,90%
1) First login to the particular server go to the task manager [Start-->RUN-->Taskmgr] verify the
processes. which process is consuming more than 80%?
2) Depends upon open the process name, just Google with process name we can find the
resolution steps.
3)Still problem persists kill any unused process.
4)It will reset the issue
Note: - If you want to more dig in to the processes we can use "processexplorer.exe tool"
If it is a vm apply same as above steps and finally while running the vm.it allows to upgrade
the additional CPU/Mem using hot add feature
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESX Server disk [/vmfs] over 80% ,90%
1)Log in to vc/ESX verify all esx VMs, is there any snapshots were created or not. If we remove
the old snapshots, issue got reset.
2)Suppose still problem persists we need to migrate running virtual machine files from one data
store to another datastore using storage vMotion technique.
3)Finally it will reset.
Physical Server disk over 80%,90%

Network Latency Issues: -

- First check for any scheduled jobs [AV Scanning, Backups& Application Maintenance] are
running
on the system [Physical, VM& ESX] and same information explain to client.
-Once scheduled jobs are completed verify for network utilization whether it is back to normal
state or not
- Still Problem persists needs to raise a service request to Networking team
Network Driver Issues: -
-Verify the current driver version-->Start-->RUN-->Devmgmt.msc--->Network adapter-- >
Properties-->Driver tab-->check the driver details and download the latest drivers from
appropriate website and placed into particular system.
-Before Installing nic drivers, check for NIC Teaming is enabled or not
-If yes, first dissolve or drop the NIC Teaming using HP network configuration Utility.
-Then proceed with the installation.
-Most of the times, Driver issues resolved by applying the latest version of drivers.

Infrastructure Management Team

1.WMG - Workstation Management Group
2.SMG - Server management Group -wintel Team
3.NMG - Network Management Group
4.SOC - Security operation center
5. DB Admins - Database administrators
6. Backup Administrators
7. Storage Administrators
8. Software Developers
9. ASG - Application Support Group
10. Assets Team
11. VMware Admins
12. Unix Admins…………. etc.,

Monitoring Tools:
1)WhatsUP Gold v14.4--> System UP/DOWN & Service UP/ Down Status Monitoring.
2)Solarwinds v9.1 SP5 --> For Performance Monitoring.
3)VC Alarms--->To monitor Virtual Infrastructure [ESX &VMs]
Minimum Requirements to monitor a device [server, Switch, Router ...etc.,]
• System should be online [Pinging]
• Needs to be configure SNMP –To Monitor performance and service up/down status
• E-mail Notification List---Respective Team Mail ID
• Mail server details----Mail Server Name & Port Number [SMTP-25]
• Alert Severity---like Sev1,2,3,4& Notes

How to configure SNMP using windows 2003

Start --->RUN-->Appwiz.cpl---> In the Add or Remove Programs wizard ->Click on Add or
Remove Components-->In this wizard select Management & Monitoring Tools --->click on
details--->Select SNMP-->Next --->Finish.

Note: -While Configuring SNMP it requires Windows 2003 server CD or i386 folder.
To Verify snmp configuration: -
Log in to the server-->RUN-->Services.msc--->verify the snmp service status -->it should be in
started state and-->snmp service properties -->security tab-->check for community string
[Default = public or any other]-->add the what’s up server ip to snmp security tab to accept the
packets.

How to configure SNMP using windows 2008

Login to windows 2008 server-->server manager-->Features--->Right click select add features---
>in the add features wizard --->select snmp services--->Next --->Finish

How to configure SNMP in ESX:

Login to service console
#Service snmpd stop
To Edit the snmpd.conf file under /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf as below:
#VI /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf
In the file content Needs to be add monitoring server ip EX: -SolarWinds server IP Address
Restart the snmpd service with the following command:
#Service snmpd start
So that the snmpd daemon starts upon every reboot, run following command:
#Chkconfigsnmpd on
Run the following command to ensure that the SNMP ports are open before sending traps to
the management station.
#esxcfg-firewall -e snmpd

Server Models
DELL POWEREDGE 1950, 2650, 2850, 2950
DELL POWEREDGE R710, R810
HP ProLiant DL360G5, DL360G6, DL380G5, DL580G5, DL380 G6
*ProLiant DL (Density Line)
* ProLiant ML (Maximum Expansion)
* ProLiant BL (Blades)
* ProLiant SL (Scalable Line)
IBM X-Series
SAN BOXES
EMC CX300 = EMC Clarion 300
EMC CX400 = EMC Clarion 400

STORAGE: RAID
Simple Volume: Space from Single Hard Disk Forms Simple Volume
Spanned Volume: Free Space Can Span More Than One Hard Disk and Appears as Single
Volume
Stripped Volume: Space Selection from Each Hard Disk Is Identical in Size
Mirrored Volume: Is an Additional Hard Disk Used for Imaging Primary Hard Disk to Protect
The Data in The Second Disk When First Disk Fails.
*Redundancy Array Inexpensive Disks [Raid]: It Is A Standard Used For " Protecting the Data"
Raid0: Striping Without Parity Offers No Fault Tolerance---[Minimum 2 Disks and Maximum 32]
Raid1: Mirroring Offers Fault Tolerance, Doesn’t Offer Performance, Requires Down Time.
[Minimum & Maximum 2 Disks]
Raid5: Striping with Parity Offers Highest Fault Tolerance, Offers Availability And
Performance I.E No Down Time.
[Minimum 3 And Maximum 32]
Raid 10: Mirroring and Striping [Minimum 4 And Maximum 32]

SEP Antivirus Console Monitoring

SEP Mgmt Console 11.0 Installation
Q) SEP Clients 11.0 installation manually
Ans) Login to the SEP MGMT Console-->Go to admin section-->In the right pane-->select Install
Packages--->export appropriate package like either a 32-bit or 64-bit and placed in the local
drive. This package we can use for manual installation on any of the server.
Q) SEP Clients 11.0 installation Remotely
Start -->Programs-->select Migration and Deployment wizard -->choose Deployment
wizard--->specify a group name or existing client name-->Click on finish-->Push Deployment
wizard -->assign computer name or ip -->it will start installation remotely.

Q) Verifying SEP Client updates

Ans-1) Open SEP MGMT Console-->Go to Monitor section-->In the right pane select "logs" tab
-->use default settings --> click on view log -->It will show all SEP Client Update information.
Ans-2) Open SEP Mgmt Console-->Go to the Clients section-->In the right pane we can find all
client update info.
*** Suppose any client is not getting updated needs to be update remotely.

Q) What is importance of Migration & Deployment Wizard

For Symantec clients Installations and For Symantec Clients upgrade from 10.1 to 11.0

Q) How to troubleshoot Not updating clients?

Ans-1) Start --> Run-->LUALL (Live Update all)
Ans-2) Login to SEP MGMT Console-->select Clients section-->In the right pane -->select
affected server-->Right click -->choose Run command on client option-->update content--->It
will start updating remotely.
Note: - No restart for this update client installation
Q) How to create a scheduled report using SEP MGMT Console?
Open SEP MGMT Console-->select Report Section-->first verify the quick report option
which one is required and then go to scheduled report option--->click on add and create as per
the required time frame.

SEP MGMT Console Options: -

HOME --> To Verify SEP Security and Virus definition status
Monitors--> To verify the all client’s info and exporting the all client’s data
Report--> To prepare a scheduled report for daily, weekly and monthly.
Policy--> To exclude the any critical services, files, etc.,
Clients---> To verify the all client’s info and Managing the clients
Admin---> To create an admin accounts and downloading Installation packages for both 32
& 64bit.

How to update the Symantec not updated clients

Option: -1Login to symantec mgmt console -->Go to the clients -->In the right pane click on my
company or Default group -->we can find all the client details--->choose the affected client
Right click --->choose "Run command on client" option-->update content
-It will update the client automatically
-If there is any issue need to restart affect client system -symantec management client service.
-If there is any issue while restarting symantec management client service
Start-->RUN--->"smc -stop" and again "smc -start".

Option: -2 For manual updating Start-->Run-->LUALL

Option: -3 Using syslink.xml

-Login SEP MGMT Console-->go to the clients section-->In the right pane select any default
group-->Right click choose export communication settings-->it will export the "syslink.xml file”.
-login to affected server-->stop the symantec mgmt client service [start-->RUN-->SMC -STOP] --
>Go to the "C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection" copy the syslink.xml
file--->start the symantec mgmt client service. [Command is SMC -START]
-Finally, it will be reporting to the SEP MGMT Console and get the new virus definitions.

How to Build SEP MGMT Console

-First prepare a project plan for this task and mention all actional items. EX: - SEP MGMT
console version and client software version details.
-Download the SEP MGMT Software and place it in to a respective server
-Install the SEP MGMT console and apply the licenses.
-Login to the SEP server -->start-->programs-->symantec mgmt console-->Migration and
deployment wizard-->Install symantec client software on all network servers
-Monitor the all servers Symantec client status from the mgmt console
-If there is any issue, we can able to resolve automatically from the console or manually.
-For best practices Needs to be prepare a scheduled report for all the servers with latest virus
definition status.
Path for Virus definitions
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\VirusDefs
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
VC linked mode
Linked mode allows for multiple vCenter servers to share information between them. This
could be very helpful in managing multiple vCenter servers at different locations or branch
offices. It could also be helpful in setting up a vCenter server in a DR site to be managed with a
single vSphere client. Linked mode uses an ADAM (Active Directory Application Mode) database
to replicate its configuration between multiple vCenter servers. Some of the things stored in
the ADAM database include:
• Connection information (IP addresses and ports)
• Certificates and thumbprints
• License Information
• User Roles

Firmware Updates: -
Before Updating firmware, updates recommend is need to verify the all network connections.
Suppose if there is any network team first, we need to dissolve/drop the nic team/network
team then login to ilo for HP Box DRAC for DELL Box.
Steps to be followed:
1) First download the firmware image [HP/DELL] and place it into any of the location
2)while upgrading firmware recommends is need to login to HP-ilo or DELL-DRAC and perform
the updates
3)For example in iLo go to the administration tab mount the firmware image
4) Reset the physical server using powermgmt option
5) It will automatically boot from the firmware image and monitor the update process from the
remote console option.
6)once update is complete reboot the machine and team the network connections

How to Dissolve/Drop the Network connection using HP network configuration utility: -

Login to the respective server -->go to the HP Network configuration utility-->select two nics
and click on drop/dissolve -->it will be dissolving the network connections.
If you want to team the nics -->open HP Network configuration utility -->select two nics and
click on team-->It will be teaming the network adaptors/nics.

Website down Issue

Login to the IIS console -->select websites sections--->In the right pane select the appropriate
website -->right click start the site -->it will resolve the issue.
still problem persists go to the default App Pool --->select the appropriate site pool--->right
click restart--->test the site --->it will fix the issue.
suppose still no luck needs to restart the IIS Service & www Service.

WSUS Script: --If any of the server not pointing to wsus console- steps to be followed
-First verify whether it is ping from WSUS console or not.
If it is not pinging resolve the network issue.
-If it is pinging -->login to the client server-->Start-->Run-->cmd--->type: gpupdate /force
-It will refresh the group polices.
-If you want to verify the group policy information, apply the following command
Start-->RUN-->type: gpresult
reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate /v
SusClientId /f
net stop wuauserv
net start wuauserv
wuauclt /resetauthorization /detectnow
wuauclt /reportnow

FLEXIBLE SINGLE/SCHEMA MASTER OPERATIONS Roles [FSMO]

Domain Naming Master: Is Responsible for Addition or Removal of Domains and Maintaining
Unique Domain Names, Only One Domain Naming Master in Entire Forest.
Schema Master: Is Responsible for Over All Management, Structure and Design of Schema
Only One Schema Master in Entire Forest
Pdc Emulator: Is Responsible for Providing Backward Compatibility for NtBdcs In Mixed Mode.
It Acts Like A Pdc For Bdcs. It Updates the Password Changes, Synchronizes Time
Between Dcs, Only One Pdc Emulator Per Domain.
Infrastructure Master: Is Responsible for Updating User and Group Membership Information
and Updating Global Catalog, Only One Infrastructure Master Per Domain
Rid Master: Relative Identifier Is Responsible for Assigning Unique Ids to The Objects Created
In the Ad, Only One Rid Master Per Domain

DHCP: ---“Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol”: --

Assigns Ips To the Clients Requested Dynamically or Automatically

PROCESS OF DHCP (DORA): -

Discover: The Client Discovers Dhcp
Offer: The Dhcp Server Offers A Group of Ips To the Clients to Pick Any
Request: The Client Selects an Ip And Request Dhcp To Confirm It
Acknowledgement: The Dhcp Server Makes A Confirmation by Sending a Dhcpack To the Client
SCOPE: Range of Ip Addresses
DHCP Lease period - 8 days

If the Client Is Unable to Contact Dhcp Server, What Happens---- Obtains an Ip from APIPA:
Automatic Private Ip Addressing, When A Client Machine Unable to Contact Dhcp Then Apipa
Assigns an Ip To the Client. This Enables The N/W Availability.

Q) What Are the Ip Ranges Provided by APIPA 169.254.0.0 TO 169.254.255.255

Q) How to resolve if the client is unable to contact DHCP Server

A) Log in to the affected system start-->RUN--->CMD-->ipconfig = To verify the ip address
-If the ip address is not getting from Dhcp server-->Just disable and enable the network
adapter-->it will acquire new ip
-Suppose it is showing an Apipa range ip we need to follow the below steps
Step: - 1 Start-->RUN-->cmd--->ipconfig
ipconfig /release = Release the IP address for the specified adapter
ipconfig /renew = Renew the IP address for the specified adapter
Step: -2 If the issue is reoccurring apply below commands
ipconfig /flushdns =Purges the DNS Resolver cache.
ipconfig /registerdns =Refreshes all DHCP leases and re-registers DNS names
ipconfig /displaydns =Display the contents of the DNS Resolver Cache.
Step: -3 Still problem persists apply below command
netshwinsoc reset = To reset all windows catalog --Require a reboot
What Are the Reserved Ip Addresses/Private Ip Range?
Class A 10.0.0.1 TO 10.255.255.254
Class B 172.16.0.1 TO 172.31.255.254
Class C 192.168.0.1 TO 192.168.255.255

Subnet Mask: -
An IP address has two components, the network address and the host address. A subnet mask
separates the IP address into the network and host addresses.
Default Subnet mask: -
Class A 255.0.0.0
Class B 255.255.0.0
Class C 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: -
The default gateway often connects a local network to the Internet, although internal gateways
for local networks also exist.
Subnetting: - One network divided into multiple smaller networks

Exchange 2007 introduces five roles to the Exchange organization.

Edge Transport: - The Edge Transport server is responsible for all mail entering [Inbound] or
leaving [Outbound] the Exchange organization.
Hub Transport: -The Hub Transport role is responsible for all internal mail flow. This role is
similar to the bridgehead server in an Exchange 2000/2003 organization. In fact, it originally
was called the Bridgehead Role until it was changed.
Mailbox Role: -The Mailbox role holds the Exchange databases within which the user mailboxes
are contained. It is also home to the Public Folder databases if you enabled Public Folders.
(They are not enabled by default in Exchange 2007)
Client Access: - The Client Access Role is similar to the role a Front-End server would play in an
Exchange 2000/2003 organization. The Client Access server handles all connections whether
they come from an application such as Outlook 2003 or 2007, Outlook Express, or any other
MAPI, POP3 or IMAP4 client
Unified Messaging: -The Unified Messaging role is responsible for merging your VOIP
infrastructure with your Exchange organization. What does this allow for?
combined voice, fax, and mail in one inbox access to voice, fax and mail via multiple interfaces

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How many servers they are managing – Physical and Virtual
2. Team Size and role
3. VMware – version
4. Migration experience
5. AD experience
6. Patch tools used
7. Snap shots – what date gets stored in snap shots
8. HA – High Availability - functions
9. Outage
10. DRS – Distributed Research Scheduling – Load Balancing
11. Microsoft Cluster server
12. Thick Disk – How to convert Normal Disk to Thick Disk
13. Ballooning
14. Templating
15. Cloning
16. GUID in Windows OS
17. Syscript
18. Service Console
19. V Center
20. Connectivity in VMware – SAN Environment
21. VLAN tagging
22. Core Services of Virtual Center
23. Basic files required for a VMware machine
24. Memory dumps
25. How to set up a Virtual machine – Memory requirements

How an Upgrade from windows 2003 to Windows Server 2008

An upgrade to Windows Server 2008 can only be performed by launching the
installation process from within the currently installed operating system. It is not possible to
perform an upgrade by booting from the installation media. Require downtime for this task

BIRLASOFT
1. Explain how vMotion works?
Login to VC -->Select the vm-->Right click select migrate -->choose Change host-->It will create a
pre-copy of vm [Memory bit map in source Esx] and it will send to the destination host where
the resources are available. once memory bit map reaches the destination, it will power on
from the destination host and deleted from the source host.

2. What will happen if no space on datastore few vms are running?

Login into VCenter select the appropriate datastore -->Right click Browse datastore-->verify
that how many vms are running and have a look for any old snapshots were exists on that
datastore.
If there are any old snapshots and remove from vms using snapshot manager.
Still problem persists move running vm files to another datastore using svmotion technique.
If there is no sufficient space on additional datastores in that scenario create a new
Lun/datastore move the vm files using Svmotion feature.it will fix the issue.

3. VM performance is bad, how to investigate?

4. VI client can’t connect to virtual center, what to check?
Verify the VC Server service

5. User requested more space on the VM virtual disk, how you manage?
6. What is vmfs? It is a clustered filesystem.
7. You don’t have virtual center and you need to copy a running VM, what to do?
8. What are possible P2V methods?
1)VMware converter
2)Vmware vc consolidation
3)P2v Assistant
4)Any third-party tools like MS p2v, Plate spin migrate, VMware Converter 4.0, MS P2V

9. Explain backup solution for VMs running on Esx

Currently in my environment we are using IBM TSM-Tivoli storage manager and we have to
install BA Client software on all the clients to take the backup of VMs

10. Why ESXi not ESX?

-More Secure os compare to Esx, Lower Maintenance, Best performance,32 mb foot print size
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HP COMPANY
VMM (virtual machine monitor)
Software that is responsible for virtualizing the CPUs. One VMM runs in kernel space for each
running virtual machine.
HA, DRS, VMOTION, STORAGE VMOTION, RESOURCE POOL, SHARES, ALL CONDITIONS
VC AGENT, HOW IT WILL WORK
HOST CONCEPTS
TOP&ESX TOP
-the top command is a system monitor tool that produces a frequently-updated list of
processes. esxtop = Display Esx server resource utilization
STORAGE CMDS
NETWORKING CMDS
HOST ERROR LOGS
/var/log/vmware/hostd.log
/var/log/messages
/var/log/vmkernel
/var/log/vmksummary.txt = Availability report for Esx
/var/log/vmkwarning
/var/log/vmware/vpx/vpxa.log = Virtual center Agent log

1. NORMAL LOGS
 2. VMKERNEL
3. HOST INSTALLATION ERRORS
4. Hardware compatibility issues.
5. ERROR SCENARIOS
6. No network supported
7. CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ESX & VC
8. STORAGE CONCEPTS &DIFFERENCES, ALL INFO.NAS, SAN
9. TKTING TOOL
10. MONITORING TOOLS
11. SECURITY HARDENING
12. CHANGE MGMT, SERVICE REQUEST
13. ITIL&VCP INFO
14. VMKNOD
15. CLUSTERING, HOW YOU ADD HOSTS
16. P2V TOOLS, AND 3-PARTY TOOLS
17. HOW TO DO THE CPU UTILIZATIONS AND DISK UTILIZATIONS
18. PORTNO’S, LICENCE SERVER 27000,27010; VC HEARTBEAT 902
19. SNMP
20. VM'S STORAGE LOCATION
21. IPTABLES
22. WATCHDOG
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IBM Interview
In vc how many hosts, vm's----? -25 Esx hosts 200+ Vm’s
vswitch -ports, portgroups
Service console portgroup & VMkernalPortgroup & VMnetworkportgroup
HA port no? 8042-8045,2050 to 2250
Vmkernal: In ESX/ESXi, a high-performance operating system that occupies the virtualization
layer and manages most of the physical resources on the hardware, including memory, physical
processors, storage, and networking controllers.

is HA work without Vmkernal? NO

Datastore --how u add, how to extent?
how to extend vmdk size and how to extend c: and d: for a vm?
Q) complete vm corrupted
-If there is any snapshot -->we can revert to previous state of vm
-If there is any backup of vm-->we can restore
-suppose there is no backup and no snapshot...we need to create a new vm with same
configurations

Q) evc cluster-- Enhanced VMotion compatibility

VMware Enhanced VMotion Compatibility (EVC)—available in VMware Infrastructure 3
beginning with version 3.5 Update 2—facilitates VMotion between different CPU generations,
taking advantage of Intel Flex Migration and AMD-V Extended Migration technologies.

EVC does not allow for migration with VMotion between Intel and AMD processors.
http://www.vmguru.nl/wordpress/2009/06/vmware-evc-cluster-what-is-that/
Q) CpuCompatibilty Q) storage vmotion Q) vmotion failures Q) host logs Q) host upgrade
from 3 to 4 Q) host updates
Download Patches | Create/attach baselines | SCAN Inventory | Review Compliance |
Remediate Hosts or VMs

Q) vm backups | Q)p2v,v2v |Q) shrink is available or not for vmdk file ? Yes, It’s possible
Q) how many luns for Esx host 256 | Q) how to extent datastore | Q) update manager
Q) snapshot | Q) snapshot files and uses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COGNIZENT

Windows | RAID 0,5,6 |RAID |how to configure RAID |site& site links
AD -after deleting OU how to recover | DHCP | DNS-records | FSMO Roles | PDC emulator
|Infrastructure master | Global catalog | how to install Firmware | Ports: SMTP, DNS, DHCP,
UPDATE MGR, ISCSI,

Vmware | update mgr port no | how to upgrade HOST | How to upgrade VM | How to upgrade
VM without using update manger |Snapshot...sizes .... SNAP SHOT MGR | Deploy the vm. From
ISO & Template | HA &drs | P2V | ESX DOWN | VM DOWN | VM Not responding unable to
reboot | Hostd is not running how to fix

Exchange | what is system attendant | cluster ....how to configure | vmware with MSCS

IBM -Chennai
Update Manager | ESX Pre & Post Installation | P2v-Pre, Post steps | Difference Between VI3
&vSphere 4 | PSOD | BSOD | Template | Clone | Snapshot

Windows | FSMO | AD | DNS | DHCP

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIFI TECHNOLOGIES

HA| DRS | STORAGEVMOTION | Difference between vmfs3 and vmfs3.33 |Max vm ram |max
vm swap | max luns per Esx 128, | max cpus per vm--4,8 | MAX vmfs SIZE | EVC Cluster | CPU
MASK | share | limit | Reservation | Port groups | how many max extent per Esx | Difference
b/w vi client and vc | Esx 4 license
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UCB- Drugs company...L3 Interview
Memory Dump | Page file |min requirements for Memory Dump | performance Issues | CPU
|Mem | Bottle neck | Capacity Management | Tools---for issues | Perfmon | core debug |
Processor dump | Dr Watson Logs | what is Memory Leak Problem | Process explorer

IBM
1. Have u done p2v Migrations? How many times?
2. Physical Server Model, Ram, CPU Cores...
3. How to Extend C drive size, Step by step/Command Line?
4. P2v Process
5. After adding Drive, it will automatically show???
6. How many clusters u have?
7. What is snap shot, can we move snap shot from one host to another? How?
8. Clone, Template, SV Motion, why we need sv motion?
9. RDM, Adding RDM Explain. Import & Export of VM's
10. Alarms & Resource pool
11. Esx Server Crash, how you respond?
12. If vm performance bad then what u will do?
13. AD, installing AD, requirements. FSMO Roles, if PDC goes down Impact?
14. How to transfer roles? Seizing. TCP IP subnet/ Default Gate way
15. Which service you will stop in p2v Process?
16. VCB
17. v Motion Back ground process
18. Can you Add Ram to vm while power on?

Emphasis-
1. Can u tell me u r professional experience?
2. How many Esx servers u r maintains?
3. To install an Esx host wt are Minimum requirements 4. VC fails wt will happen?
5. HA, DRS, VCB
6. Esxi &Esx Differences
7. How can u say ESXi safer than Esx?
8. Vmotion uses which Network port group?
9. What kernel using in Esx?
10. ITIL Process
11. V motion pre requisites & Post Requisites 12. HA requirements 13. Resource pools 14. Have
u done Esx update 3.5 to 4.0 explain Step by step 15. If VC Fails Wt will happen to VM's?
16. How can u update VC 2.5 to 4.0?
17. Ticketing Tools
18. If u want to migrate host what process u will follow?
19. Why u want to change present job?
20. If we don’t give a VM tasks then wt you will do?
21. Have you worked on Citrix/VMware Lab Manager/Thin App???
22. What are the new features (AD) in 2008 server?
23. Can windows machine understand VMFS file?
24. What are the main files in a VM?
25. Wt is SV Motion?
26. What are the differences between web Access & VC 27. Affinity, Infinity Rules 28. How you
will restart Web Access Service?
29. VM Patches
30. R u working in house project? r u working in Production environment?
31. What is the function of Service Console?
32. Have you worked on Windows Cluster?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HCL
1. How Many Max Host Failures in a cluster?
2. How do know where vm migrating if Cluster fail?
3. How many iscsi targets in a cluster?
4. How VMotion works? backend process
5. P2V Migration
6. FSMO Roles, IF PDC EMULAT Fails?
7. Port Groups
8. If mac address change is in Reject wt happen?
9. Linux Console Version
10. RDM
11. Datastores
12. How can you configure different types of datastores on ESX 2.5
13. How can u deploy vms from template?
14. Snap shot
15. What is the most difficult VMWare related issue you ever faced?
16. VCB
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PATNI
1. V - Motion post/pre requirements, back end process 2. How can u create HA? DRS 3. What
is the importance of storage in vmotion4? How can u add storage from command line?
5. If ESX Crashed what u will tell to client? Manager?
6. What resources can u add from esxcfg-vswif-l?
7. How can u change IP address of service console?
8. NIC Teaming?
9. If Physical NIC fails? then
10. Windows Clustering
11. DHCP? how to configure DHCP in Linux?
12. DNS?
13. TCP/IP?
14. Importing & Exporting VMS how can u do this?
15. Port Groups
16. NTP Client Configuration
17. When u will put a host in to maintenance?
18. ITIL Process Change request?
19. Upgrade process? In ur environment
20. Difference between template & Clone

CSS- Windows
Difference between windows 2000 & 2003 | IIS -Browse. Website down, home page content
DNS -Zones-F/W, Reverse look up zones | RP, ARP | DHCP Reservation | Monitoring tools
Whatsup, Solarwinds | Ticketing tools | Server down | BSOD | Escalation Process | Service
Down | IIS service name | Performance issue | cpu over 100% how to resolve | ilo | drac
unable to connect RDP | Request time out | Destination host unreachable | Destination Net
unreachable |HP SIM | how to access servers console...Vision APP | Patching---wsus 3.0
how many servers 1100+ | what is cluster load balancing | what type of servers r u using in
your environment