An Overview of Virtualization
Within the IT world virtualization skills are in high demand right now. Virtualization is a description of how a service can be logically separated from the physical hardware that is traditionally used to provide it. For those that still can't quite grasp the idea, here's an example: a local area network (LAN) traditionally was provided by one or more switches. Segmenting the network into multiple networks meant buying separate switches for each subnet. Today, multiple networks can be logically segmented across one or more switches by use of virtual LANs (VLANs), which is where virtualization comes into play.
Virtualization tends to fall into one of four major categories within the IT world. First, you have Virtual LANs (VLANs), which refers to one or more switches that act as multiple networks. Next, there's Platform virtualization that uses a hypervisor to abstract operating system(s) from physical hardware, allowing multiple virtual systems to run on a single piece of hardware. Currently, platform virtualization is a major trend in the IT industry that often is discussed in the context of environmental friendliness since it reduces electrical usage and the amount of servers needed. Not only is it popular, but it's also a major money saver: An average server costs as much as the amount of electricity it uses during a three-year period, and platform virtualization can reduce the number of servers needed by as much as 40-to-1.
Next is application virtualization, which is an encapsulated portable application that does not truly get installed. And, finally, there is storage virtualization that provides access to storage while making the location of the physical disk irrelevant. Examples are deduplication, which provides access to more storage than physically exists, and appliances that aggregate multiple storage sources into a single service.
Within the platform virtualization world, there are a number of vendors that provide platform virtualization solutions, with the leaders of the pack being Citrix, Microsoft and VMware. Each of these vendors has a certification track, as well, to validate IT professionals' skills, which is where computer training cds comes in handy to learn what it takes to get certified.
Citrix XenServer is an open source virtualization platform. Certification for XenServer is available in each of its four versions: CCA for Citrix XenServer 4 Platinum Edition; CCA for Citrix XenServer 5 Platinum Edition; CCA for Citrix XenServer Enterprise Edition 4; and CCA for Citrix XenServer Enterprise Edition 5. Although each XenServer certification requires passing only one test, published resources are sparse. Syngress is one of the few publishers that covers it. IT training on this is readily available so that those interested in it can easily learn the skills needed to get certified.
Microsoft offers a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification in virtualization “for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their in-depth technical skills in these areas of Microsoft Virtualization.” Microsoft focuses on server virtualization, application virtualization, presentation virtualization and virtualization management. The certification that aligns most closely with platform virtualization is Exam 70-652, Configuring Windows Server Virtualization. Microsoft Press doesn't have any publications that specifically cover Hyper-V. Fortunately, many other publishers have stepped in to fill the void. To become more familiar with the certification, many turn toward CBT training so that they can learn on their own time.
VMware ESX is the most mature product in the platform virtualization space, having effectively created the x86 virtualization niche. VMware has two certifications that directly relate to platform virtualization. The VMware Certified Professional (VCP) on VMware Infrastructure 3: Prerequisites for the VCP certification are attendance at a VMware sanctioned class and subsequently passing the VCP test. The second one is the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) on VMware Infrastructure 3: This is a more advanced certification that requires defense of a design position. It's a light version of Cisco's lab-based approach to certifying CCIEs. VCDX candidates must have a VCP certification. They also must submit and successfully defend a design and implementation plan. Many also take IT training programs to help learn about the VMware software.
Overall, virtualization is dramatically improving the efficiency and availability of resources and applications in organizations, which is why IT certifications are becoming highly popular among IT professionals who want to expand their knowledge base and enhance their career.
About CBT Planet:
CBT Planet offers a variety of virtualization courses such as VMware training. CBT Planet provides quality and comprehensive computer training cds that are both self-paced and self-guided. Computer training allows many busy professionals the opportunity to enhance their knowledge without having to rearrange other priorities in their schedule or life.
