Virtualization Technology and VMware Training

In 1998, VMware, a pioneer in the field of virtualization technology and current industry leader, unveiled a software construct that virtualized a physical server and in so doing provided full abstraction from the actual host server. This was a major achievement; full abstraction in this regard had long been thought impossible because it required trapping and redirecting privileged machine level instructions that were presumed inaccessible.

But VMware found a very creative solution to this problem involving the dynamic rewrite of kernel level and real mode code, a technique that the company referred to as binary translation. Using binary translation to replace sensitive instructions, VMware succeeded in creating a fully abstracted virtual machine (VM) that, like an actual physical server, provided a complete and entirely disjoint runtime application environment.

Since the VM was in fact a software construct, multiple virtual machines could run on one physical server. With each instance of a VM running what was previously thought to be incompatible software, this enabled a redistribution of workload across servers that no longer needed to be dedicated, thereby dramatically improving processor utilization and concomitantly minimizing the need for physical servers.

The VMware virtual machine provided a remarkable demonstration of the power of virtualization and helped legitimize the technique as an effective, new approach to problem solving. In fact, it has by now become something of a cliché for the corporate executive to point a finger at the IT department and say, “There’s a problem? Well, virtualize a solution!”

However, virtualization is certainly not a magic bullet. It is not appropriate for all situations. In fact, it is a tool that can be all too easily misused, not infrequently resulting in awkward constructs of the “square wheel” variety. When this has occurred it was usually the result of an IT department attempting a complex virtualization project without a solid understanding of the technique.

Although the concept of virtualization is simple enough, one should not make the mistake of assuming that its application is simple as well. Some very costly blunders have been made, and are still being made, because the tool was misunderstood and misused. To preclude such mishaps from recurring, proper training is essential. Fortunately, such training is readily available.

VMware, as well as various educational institutions, offers general training in the principles and theory of virtualization. Additional IT training courses are offered which provide instruction in the specific use of VMware virtualization tools. Upon successful completion of these VMware training courses, the student advances in step levels of certification. The IT professionalWill find a VMware certification, at any step level, to be a very valuable career asset. Many IT departments now incorporate VMware training and/or proof of VMware certification as part of new hire orientation.

Although the benefits to be derived from virtualization seem boundless, there are also hazards to be avoided. As always in this regard, proper education and training are of crucial importance.