Q1) What is meant by VMware?

VMware is the leader in providing different software and applications for virtualization.
The products of VMware can be categorized into two levels, server applications and
desktop applications. It is useful for running multiple applications and operating systems
on a single computer and is used to get high productivity from very few servers. It can
also speed up the new application deployments by simplifying IT management.

Q2) What is Virtualization and what are its types?

Virtualization is defined as the process of creating virtual versions of storage devices

network devices, servers on a physical host.
There are mainly four types of Virtualization.

 Presentation Virtualization

 Storage Virtualization

 Application Virtualization

 Network Virtualization

Q3) What is vCenter Agent?

An agent, which enables communication between VC and ESX server is called vCenter
Agent. It is installed on the ESX Server.

Q4) What are the types of Server Software provided by VMware?

The Server Software provided by VMware are of 3 types:

 VMware ESXi Server

 VMware Server

 VMware ESX Server

Q5) What is meant by VMKernel?

A virtualization interface in between ESXi host and Virtual Machine that stores VMs is
called VMKernel. It allocates all the ESXi host resources to VMs such as CPU, memory,
storage, etc. It can also control the special services like Fault tolerance, vMotion, traffic
management, NFS, and iSCSI. While accessing these particular services, the VMKernel
port should configure on ESXi server using a standard vSwitch. The hosted VMs cannot
communicate with the ESXi server without using VMKernel.

Q6) What is meant by Hypervisor and write its types?

A virtualization layer that enables different operating systems in sharing a single

hardware host is known as Hypervisor. Each VM or operating system can be allocated in
a physical resources CPU, memory, storage, etc.
Mainly there are two types of Hypervisors:

 Bare-Metal

 Hosted Hypervisor

Q7) What is VMware Fault Tolerance?

Fault Tolerance(FT) is referred to as one of the prominent components in VMware

vSphere. When ESXi host fails, then FT provides the VMs availability. It can support 64GB
memory up to 4vCPUs. It requires 10GB NIC for configuration because of its bandwidth-
intensive. It can create the entire VM copy, such as compute, storage, and memory.

Q8) What is Fault Tolerance logging traffic?

Fault Tolerance logging is an option in the settings of VMKernel port, which is almost
equal to Vmotion option of the VMKernel port.

Q9) Explain VMware DRS?

VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) balances resources across different hosts
under the resource pool or cluster. It enables the rules and policies in deploying the
funds, and those resources must be prioritized to VMs.

Q10) Name the components that are used in VMware infrastructure

The following are the components that are used in VMware infrastructure:

 ESX Server host (In the lower layer)

 Virtual Center Server (tracking VM associated images)

 VMware infrastructure client (enables the communication of client with

applications of the user)

 Web-browser (Accessing Virtual Machines)

  License Server (Preparing servers in providing applications’ license)

 Database Servers

Q11) What is meant by .vmdk file?

The .vmdk file is known as a disk descriptor file which is used to describe the memory
and size of the virtual disk file. This file contains -flat.vmdk file name in association with
hard drive adapter, heads, drive sectors, cylinders etc.

Q12) What is meant by VMware VMotion and How it is useful?

VMware VMotion is used to migrate the virtual machine running with zero downtime
from one physical server to another. It can automatically allocate the resource pools for
maximum utilization of hardware. Without any scheduled downtime, it can perform
hardware maintenance. It can also migrate the virtual machines from underperforming or
failing servers.

Q13) What are the prerequisites in configuring VMotion?

Below are the prerequisites in configuring Vmotion:

 Every host should meet the requirements of shared storage.

 Every host must be licensed correctly

 Shared storage must be on the Storage Area Network (SAN), otherwise

implement by using NAS, SAN, and iSCSI.

 Every host must meet the requirements of networking.

 The configuration of VMsKernel should happen on every host.

 While migrating the workloads, use 10 GigE adaptors.

 Jumbo frames are very much necessary to get the best performance from
VMotion.

Q14) What is the VCloud Suite?

VCloud Suite is used to combine the multiple components of VMware to give the
capabilities of cloud infrastructure complete set in a single package, including disaster
recovery, virtualization, application management, data centre services, etc.

Q15) What are the different storage availabilities in VCloud Suite?

The storage availability in VCloud Suite includes:
Storage VMotion: It employs proactive storage migration to decrease the I/O bottlenecks
of virtual machine storage.
Data Protection: It deploys recovery and back-up tool based on the EMC Avamar.
Storage DRS: Based on the I/O latency and storage capacity, the storage DRS balances
the Virtual Machines.
Application HA: It is used to get the high availability on specific applications.

Q16) What is meant by VMware HA?

VMware HA (High Availability) is used to configure on the cluster and works in host
levels. A High Availability cluster will restart and migrate all the VMs that running under
the host level. VMware HA detects and monitors all the hosts of the ESX server.

Q17) What are the differences between VMware FT and VMware HA?

VMware HA (High Availability) enabled per cluster while VMware FT (Fault Tolerance)
enabled per VM basis. In the case of VMware FT, there is no downtime, whereas VMware
HA can be powered on and restarted.
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Q18) What are the new features of vSphere 5?

The following are the new features in the latest version of vSphere:

 Virtual Machine Enhancement

 vSphere storage Enhancement

 ESXi Hypervisor Enhancement

 vCenter Server Enhancement

 vSphere Networking Enhancement

Q19) What is a Snapshot?

In Virtual Machines, the “point in time image” is referred to as a Snapshot. It contains an

image of RAM and VMs disk. By using Snapshot, we can go back to the VM at a point of
time as you wish. The functionality of the Snapshot can be used to perform VMs image-
level backups.
Q20) What is VDI?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is used to connect the end user’s desktop with the
help of a thin client. The end-user also can connect the desktop using VMware Horizon
view.

Q21) What are the differences between clone and template in VMware?

CLONE TEMPLATE
Clone is defined as the copy of Virtual A Template is termed as the master copy of Virtual
Machine. Machine.
It can be converted back to the VM to update the base
It can be made when VM is powered on.
machine.
We cannot convert back the cloned VM. A Template can convert back to the VM.
With the help of parent virtual It is possible to convert clone into a template, but not
machines, a linked clone can share possible to Virtual Machines into a template when the
virtual disks. machine is powered on.
A full clone doesn’t share anything with
A Template cannot be powered on or edited. It is very
VMs and it is independent of parent
difficult to change the ordinary VM.
VMs.

Q22) What are the features of VMware tool?

 Web browser Interface

 Setting configuration in a simple wizard

 Maintenance of Virtual Machines is very easy

Q23) What are the uses of VMware Workstation?

The following are the three main uses of VMware Workstation:

 VMware workstation is used to save the OS configuration (existing) in Virtual

Machine form.

 It helps in running more than one operating system in a single system.

 It allows in working in different Operating Systems without switching among

them.

Q24) What is meant by VDS, and what are its benefits?

Virtual Distributed Switch (VDS) is acting as a single switch which is responsible for
providing administration and central provisioning for the virtual network.
Benefits of VDS:

 Monitoring

 Central Provision and

 Central Administration

Q25) Name the port groups in ESXi networking configuration

 Service Console Port Group

 Virtual Machine Port Group

 VMKernel Port Group

Q26) Comparison between ESX and ESXi

Parameter ESX ESXi

Troubleshooting Done by Service Console Done by ESXi Shell
Secure Syslog Disabled Enabled
Jumbo Frames Supported Supported
Boot from SAN Supported Supported
Scripted Installation Supported Supported
Deployment using Auto
Not Supported Supported
Deploy
vSphere Web Access For Experimental basis For Complete Management
Lockdown mode Not present Present
Latest Version ESX 4.1 ESXi 6.7
Service Console Present Removed
Authentication of Active
Supported Supported
Directory
Network Management
Service Console ESXi Shell
Interface
Hardware Monitoring Third-Party Agents CIM providers
Software Patches and
Supported on Linux OS Only a few Patches and Updates
Updates
vMA Support Available Available
Custom Image Creation Not Supported Supported
Command-Line
esxcfg esxcli
Administration
Management Network, Storage
Storage Connectivity, Fault
VMKernel Network Connectivity, Fault Tolerance, vMotion,
Tolerance, vMotion
iSCSI

Q27) Name the types of ESX Server Partitions?

SWAP
/opt
/var
/home
/-root
/var/core
/tmp

Q28) Write about MAC Address changes?

At the time of creation, the Virtual Machine nics with MAC address is stored in .VMX file.
The packet doesn’t allow the incoming traffic to the Virtual Machine if it doesn’t match
with MAC address of .VMX file.

Q29) What is a VLAN?

Virtual LAN (VLAN) is used to break the Broadcast traffic into a lot of logic groups. VLAN
separates one broadcast domain into many tiny pieces instead of using one physical
switch for compromising one domain.

Q30) Name VLAN tagging types?

In vSphere, there are mainly three types of VLAN tagging.

 Virtual Switch Tagging (VST)

 External Switch Tagging (EST)

 Virtual Guest Tagging (VGT)

Q31) What are the Load balancing policies of vSwitch?

There are three types of Load balancing policies are available for vSwitch
  Route Based Source MAC hash

 Route Based on originating virtual switch ID

 Route Based on IP hash

Q32) Write about the types of settings in Network Failover Detection?

There are two types of settings in Network Failover Detection:

 Link Status only

 Beacon Probing

Link Status only:

It depends on the link status of the network adapter. It detects switch power failures and
cable pulls, but it cannot detect the errors in a configuration such as blocking of
spanning tree, wrong VLAN misconfiguration etc.
Beacon Probing:
It listens to beacon probes and send Ethernet broadcast frames to detect the failure
network connections of upstream. Beacon Probing also detects many other failures that
were not detected by Link Status.

Q33) What is meant by Cold Migration and Hot Migration?

When the user migration gets suspended or powered off, then it is called as the Cold
Migration. When the user migration is running on a powered virtual machine, then it is
known as Hot Migration.

Q34) What are the drawbacks in the virtualization platform of VMware?

The following are the drawbacks in VMware virtualization:

 It requires high-end servers which leads to more expensive.

 To buy any resources, it needs substantial investment.

 It requires various types of technologies for implementation.

Q35) What is meant by Platform Services Controller (PSC) and What are its
components?
Platform Services Controller is first introduced in VMware vSphere version 6 that handles
the security functions of infrastructure.
PSC has three main components:

 VMware Certificate Authority

 Single Sign-On

 Licensing service
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Q36) Write about the disk types in VMware vSphere?

Mainly there are three disk types in VMware vSphere:

Eager Zeroes (Thick Provision): It is used in VMware Fault Tolerance. The disk space
requirement is allocated at the time of creation to VMs. When compared to other disk
formats, this Eager Zeroes thick provision takes a lot of time in creating a virtual disk.

Lazy Zeroes (Thick Provision): In this disk format, every virtual disk can be created by
default. There is an allocation of physical space for Virtual machines when the disk is
created. This Lazy Zeroes thick provision can’t be converted into thin.

Thin Provision: Thin provision provides the disk space allocation to Virtual Machines. The
disk size will increase in proportional to the data size.

Q37) Define VVoL, RDM, and NFS?

VVoL (Virtual Volume):

It is a concept of new disk management of Virtual Machine in vSphere 6.0 version which
enables the operations of array-based at the virtual disk level. Virtual Volume can be
created automatically when the virtual disk is created.

RDM (Raw Device Mapping):

Raw Device Mapping is a file, which is stored in the VMFS volume acts as a proxy for the
devices which are in natural physical form. RDM stores the data of virtual machines on
LUN.

NFS (Network File System):

NFS is a file-sharing protocol which is used to communicate with NAS (Network
Attached Storage) devices. It connects to a network and gives file aces services to the
hosts of ESXI.

Q38) Define configuration options in VSAN?

There are two configuration options in VSAN:

 Hybrid

 All-Flash

Hybrid: Uses both magnetic and flash-based disks for storage. The magnetic disks are
used for storage or capacity, while flash-based drives are used for cash.

All-Flash: It uses flash for both for storage and caching.

Q39) What are the steps in converting a physical machine into a virtual machine?

The following are the three steps required to convert a physical machine into a virtual
machine:

 Initially, an Agent should be installed on the physical machine

 Along with the Converter plug-in, a VI client must be installed

 Needs a server to Export/Import the virtual machine

Q40) Define VMware DPM and ESXi Shell

VMware DPM:

VMware DPM (Distributed Power Management) is a feature of VMware DRS which is

used to monitor the cluster resources. VMware DPM shutdowns the un-used hosts and
consolidates the workloads when the resources get decreased. If the resources get
increased, then it automatically power-on the hosts that are not being used.

ESXi Shell:

ESXi Shell is a command-line which is used to repair the ESXi hosts. It can be accessed
through vCenter Server disable/enable, DCUI, and SSH.

Q41) What are the pre-requisites needed in running ESXTOP on ESXi host?

We need two pre-requisites to run ESXTOP on ESXi

  Initially, install vSphere client in which you want to configure the host

 By using Troubleshooting options, enable SSH

Q42) Define Limit, Share, and Reservation in VMware?

Limit: It is defined as the Host cycle consumption without crossing the defined value.
Share: It specifies the importance or relative priority of virtual machine access in a given
resource.
Reservation: It is a value that defines in the form of memory or CPU that can be available
for the virtual machine to start.

Q43) What is vApp, and how it is useful?

vApp is defined as a group or container in which more than one virtual machine can be
managed in multi tired apps for specific requirements like a database server, Web server,
and application server. It can also define the power-off and power-on sequences of the
virtual machine. By using vApp, we can configure several settings like memory allocation
and Internet Protocol allocation policy.

Q44) What is meant by iSCSI storage, and what are it’s naming conventions?

An iSCSI storage system holds in iSCSI SAN that contains more than one storage
processors. The communication in between storage array and host can be made possible
through the TCP/IP protocol. The configuration of iSCSI initiator is done with ESXi host.
The iSCSI initiator is not either independent or dependent; tht’s why it is called as iSCSI
software initiator.
The names iSCSI can be formatted in two ways:

 Extended Unique Identifier (EUI)

 ISCSI Qualified Name (IQN)

Q45) What are the types of Content Libraries?

There are three types of Content Libraries:

Published: Local library that consists of ISO images, and VM templates for the
subscription.
Local: Local control library.
Subscribed: It syncs with the library of published.
Q46) What are the limitations and requirements of a Content Library?

The following are the limitations and requirements of a Content library:

 Every library consists of a maximum of 256 items.

 The size of single storage is up to 64TB.

 For every 24 hours, the sync is happening.

Q47) What are the types of extensions in VMware?

 .nvram: It is used to stock the virtual machine state BIOS of an organization.

 .vmsd: It provisions the metadata and information of the snapshots in an

organization.

 .vmss: It supplies the virtual machine postponed state.

 .vmx: It accumulates the primary formations in the virtual machine.

 .log: It is used to save log file for VMware to see glitches during the process
of installation.

 .vmdk: It is used to simulate the disk file to stock the virtual machine gratify.

 .vmsn: It is used in storing the snap state. It can supply both occupied period
and consecutive state.

 It provisions the team data formation.

Q48) Define the components that are used in vCenter Server architecture?

There are three main components in the architecture of the vCenter Server:
Web Client and vSphere Client: It is a user interface.
vCenter Server Database: Embedded PostgreSQL or SQL server is used to store security
roles, inventory, and resource pools.
SSO: It is a security domain.

Q49) What is meant by VCB, and what are its benefits?

VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) is referred to as the backup framework that enables
third-party tools to get backups. VCB is very much helpful to back up the virtual servers
of VMware ESX. VCB is also known as ‘’Backup Proxy Server” and is not considered as
backup software. While using this VCB also, one must need backup software.
The Benefits of VCB:

 It provides VMware ESX backups, both incremental and full of file-level

availability.

 It prevents from backup loading agent on the virtual machines.

 VCB is used to centralize VMware ESX backups.

 It also provides the backups of image level.

 It prevents to have shut down of virtual machines.

 VCB provides LAN-free backups because the connection of the VCB server to
the SAN is made through the adaptor of fibre channel.

 It also provides the virtual server centralized storage backups on the VCB
server.

 It reduces the VMware ESX server load without having a third party backup
agent.

 VCB utilizes the snapshots of VMware.

Q50) What are the types of deployments in vCenter Server?

There are two types of deployments in vCenter Server

 External Deployment

 Embedded Deployment

Basic VMware Interview Questions

These frequently requested VMware interview questions will enable you to successfully respond
during your upcoming interview and land your desired position.

1- What is VMware, and why is it important in today's IT landscape?

Answer: VMware is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and digital workspace technology. It
provides solutions for virtualization, which allows multiple operating systems to run on a single
physical machine. This not only maximizes resource utilization but also reduces the costs
associated with physical hardware. In today's IT landscape, with the increasing demand for
efficient data centers, disaster recovery, and seamless cloud operations, VMware's solutions offer
flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, making them integral for businesses around the
world.

2 - Can you explain the difference between vSphere, ESXi, and vCenter?
Answer:
vSphere: This is VMware's cloud computing virtualization platform. vSphere is a comprehensive
suite that includes both ESXi and vCenter among other components. It's designed to transform
data centers into aggregated computing infrastructures that include CPU, storage, and
networking resources.
ESXi: This is the virtualization platform, or more specifically, the hypervisor that gets installed on
the physical machine. It allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical
machine. ESXi takes the place of the operating system.
vCenter Server: This is the centralized management utility for VMware. It allows for the
management of multiple ESXi hosts and VMs from a single console. It provides tools for
configuring, monitoring, and administering virtualized resources.

3 - What is a Datastore in VMware?

Answer: A Datastore is a storage location (like an HDD or SSD in traditional computing) where
virtual machine files are stored in a VMware environment. It can be local on the ESXi host, or it
can be remote storage provided over SAN, NAS, or iSCSI among others. Datastores hide the
specifics of each storage device and provide a uniform model for storing VM files. They are
essential for VM operations such as creating, starting, and stopping VMs.

4 - What is a VMKernel?
Answer: The VMKernel is a fundamental component of ESXi. It's responsible for core services in
VMware infrastructure, including but not limited to, VMotion (for live migration of running VMs),
storage I/O, and the management of network connections.

5 - How does VMware VMotion work?

Answer: VMware VMotion allows for the live migration of running virtual machines from one
physical server to another with no downtime. It works by sending the active memory and precise
execution state of the VM over a high-speed network, allowing the VM to switch from running on
the source ESXi host to the destination ESXi host instantly.

6 - What are VMware Snapshots?

Answer: VMware Snapshots are a way to capture the state of a virtual machine, including the
VM’s memory, VM settings, and virtual disk state, at a given point in time. It's like a "picture" of
the VM's state. Snapshots can be used for backups, testing, and other purposes, allowing
administrators to revert back to a previous state if needed.

7 - What is DRS in VMware?

Answer: DRS, or Distributed Resource Scheduler, is a feature of VMware vSphere. It dynamically
balances resources across various ESXi hosts under a vCenter server. By constantly monitoring
resource utilization, DRS can ensure that VM workloads are evenly distributed and ensure
optimum performance.

8 - Explain the difference between "Thick Provision" and "Thin Provision".

Answer:
Thick Provision: When a virtual disk is created with thick provision, all the space allocated to the
disk is reserved upfront. This means if you allocate 100GB, all 100GB is set aside immediately,
even if the VM is using only a fraction of that space.
Thin Provision: With thin provision, the virtual disk starts small and only grows as data is added.
So, if you allocate 100GB but the VM only uses 20GB, only 20GB of physical storage is consumed.
9 - How does VMware Fault Tolerance (FT) benefit a VM?
Answer: VMware Fault Tolerance (FT) provides continuous availability to VMs by creating a live
shadow instance of the VM. This is done on another physical ESXi host. If there's a hardware issue
causing the primary VM to fail, the shadow VM takes over instantly, ensuring zero downtime and
no data loss.

10 - What is VDP?
Answer: VDP stands for VMware Data Protection. It's a backup and recovery solution for VMware
virtual environments. VDP uses vSphere APIs for data protection to backup VM data and
application data without any interference in VM performance.

11 - What is the purpose of VMware vShield?

Answer: VMware vShield is a suite of security tools designed for vSphere virtual environments. Its
primary function is to provide network security and firewall capabilities, protect virtualized
applications, and manage and enforce security policies across VMs.

12 - Can you explain what "Resource Pool" is in VMware?

Answer: A Resource Pool is a logical abstraction for flexible management of resources. It
aggregates CPU and memory, allowing administrators to delegate resources between different
workloads and prioritize resources based on business needs. Resource pools can be hierarchical,
with parent-child relationships, ensuring efficient utilization and allocation.

13 - What is the role of the vSphere Client?

Answer: The vSphere Client is the primary interface for administrators to manage ESXi hosts and
vCenter Server. It's used for tasks such as creating, configuring, and managing virtual machines,
as well as setting up and monitoring the overall virtual infrastructure.

14 - What is the meaning of VVol?

Answer: VVol, or Virtual Volumes, represents a significant shift in how storage resources are
handled and consumed within a VMware environment. Instead of seeing storage as a flat
datastore or a LUN (Logical Unit Number), VVol introduces a more granular and object-based
approach. With VVols, individual virtual machine disks and other operational elements (like
snapshots, clones, etc.) are stored as separate objects on the storage system. This allows for more
precise and flexible management, as the storage policies can be defined and applied at the VM
or even the individual VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk File) level. In essence, VVol simplifies storage
operations and offers a more dynamic alignment between the VM and the underlying storage.

VMware Interview Questions for Experienced IT Administrators

If you are an experienced IT Admin preparing for an upcoming interview, these questions will
help you a lot:

15 - What is the major advantage of VM running under a type 1 hypervisor than type 2
hypervisor?
The primary advantage of a VM running under a type 1 hypervisor (or "bare metal" hypervisor)
like VMware ESXi is performance and efficiency. A type 1 hypervisor runs directly on the host's
hardware to control hardware and manage guest operating systems, eliminating any middle
layer. This direct interface ensures lower overhead, reduced latency, and a smaller attack surface,
leading to better VM performance and enhanced security. On the other hand, a type 2 hypervisor
(or "hosted" hypervisor) runs atop an existing operating system, introducing an additional layer
and potential inefficiencies. For mission-critical, resource-intensive applications, or large-scale
virtualization endeavors, type 1 hypervisors are generally the preferred choice.

16 - How would you handle a situation where a VM is experiencing performance issues,

such as high latency or slow response times?
Answer:
First, I'd leverage performance monitoring tools within VMware, such as ESXTOP and vCenter
performance charts, to pinpoint the cause. I would check CPU, memory, network, and disk usage
metrics. Potential causes might include resource contention, VM configuration issues, or external
factors like network bottlenecks or storage latency. Depending on the root cause identified, I'd
either adjust the VM's resource allocation, migrate the VM to a less congested host using
VMotion, optimize the application running within the VM, or collaborate with network/storage
teams to address external issues.

17 - How would you securely isolate network traffic for specific VMs in a vSphere
environment?
Answer:
To securely isolate network traffic for specific VMs, I would utilize VMware NSX to create micro-
segmentation. NSX allows for the creation of fine-grained security policies at the individual VM
interface level. This ensures that even VMs within the same subnet can be isolated from each
other. I'd also consider creating separate virtual switches or port groups and using VLANs to
further segregate traffic.

18 - Describe your experience with VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM). How would you
use it in a disaster recovery scenario?
Answer:
VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) is a disaster recovery orchestration tool I've used in
previous roles to ensure high availability and business continuity. In a disaster recovery scenario,
SRM allows for the automated failover of VMs from the primary site to a secondary disaster
recovery site. The failover process, including the order of VM recovery and network
configurations, is predefined in recovery plans. I'd ensure regular testing of these recovery plans
without affecting production workloads to guarantee smooth operations in the event of an actual
disaster.

19 - How do you handle VM backups in a large vSphere environment, and what strategies
do you use to ensure data integrity and availability?
Answer:
For VM backups in a large vSphere environment, I typically utilize solutions like VMware VDP or
third-party tools like Veeam. For ensuring data integrity, I schedule regular backup verifications
and test restores. Implementing deduplication and compression can optimize backup storage. I
also advocate for a 3-2-1 backup strategy: keeping three copies of data, on two types of media,
with one copy stored off-site. Additionally, to ensure availability, I consider replication to an off-
site location or cloud provider for quick recovery in case of major incidents.

20 - Explain the concept of Storage DRS and how it benefits a VMware environment.
Answer:
Storage DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler) is a feature in VMware vSphere that balances
storage workloads with respect to I/O and space capacity. In a manner similar to how DRS works
for compute resources, Storage DRS makes decisions about where a disk should reside within a
storage cluster. It can make recommendations or automatically move VM disk files between
datastores to balance utilization and maintain optimal performance. The primary benefits include
improved storage utilization, reduced storage-related bottlenecks, and automated management,
freeing up administrative time and ensuring a smooth end-user experience.

21 - What is the difference between VMware HA and VMware FT?

Answer:
VMware HA (High Availability) and FT (Fault Tolerance) are both essential features in vSphere for
ensuring VM uptime, but they serve different purposes:
VMware HA (High Availability): HA monitors VMs and ESXi hosts. If a VM fails or becomes
unreachable due to issues like OS failures, application crashes, or host hardware problems, HA
can restart that VM on another host within the cluster. While HA minimizes downtime, there is
still a brief interruption during the VM restart process.
VMware FT (Fault Tolerance): FT, on the other hand, creates a live shadow instance of a VM on
another host. The primary and shadow VMs are kept in lockstep, meaning they execute identical
operations. If the primary VM encounters an issue, the shadow VM instantly takes over without
any perceptible downtime or data loss. FT ensures continuous availability, while HA provides
rapid recovery.
In essence, while both are designed to maximize uptime, FT provides zero downtime and zero
data loss, whereas HA ensures rapid recovery from failures.

22 - What is the importance of snapshots in VMware?

Answer:
Snapshots in VMware serve as a critical tool for administrators in various scenarios. They capture
the current state and settings of a VM, effectively providing a "point-in-time" image. This has
several uses:
 Change Management: Before applying patches, updates, or software installations,
snapshots can be taken. If something goes awry, administrators can quickly revert to the
previous state.
 Testing: For developers and administrators, snapshots offer a sandbox environment. They
can test changes without impacting the live system and simply roll back to the snapshot
when done.
 Backup and Recovery: While snapshots aren't a replacement for full backups, they can
serve as short-term backup solutions, especially for critical changes or updates.
 Forensics and Troubleshooting: In case of system issues or security incidents, snapshots
allow admins to analyze a VM's state at a particular point in time, aiding in diagnostics
and investigations.
However, it's essential for administrators to manage and monitor snapshots effectively, as
prolonged and excessive snapshot use can lead to reduced performance and storage issues.

23 - Describe the purpose and benefits of VMware NSX.

Answer:
VMware NSX is a software-defined networking (SDN) solution that virtualizes networking and
security, decoupling them from the underlying hardware. Its primary purposes and benefits
include:
 Micro-segmentation: NSX allows for granular security policies down to the VM interface
level. This ensures that even VMs within the same subnet can be isolated from each other,
enhancing network security.
 Network Function Virtualization: NSX can create virtual network components like routers,
firewalls, switches, and load balancers. This flexibility leads to faster network provisioning
and agility.
 Cross-cloud Mobility: NSX provides a consistent networking and security framework
 across on-premises data centers, cloud environments, and hybrid deployments, enabling
seamless workload migration.
 Visibility and Troubleshooting: With its monitoring and analytics capabilities, NSX offers
insights into virtual network traffic, helping in quick troubleshooting and optimization.
By decoupling network functions from the hardware, NSX brings in agility, security, and scalability
to the data center network, mirroring the benefits VMware brought to server infrastructure with
virtualization.

24 - How do you handle storage over-provisioning in a vSphere environment?

Answer:
Storage over-provisioning, while beneficial in optimizing storage usage, can lead to potential
pitfalls if not managed correctly. Here's how I handle it:
 Monitoring: Regularly monitor datastore capacity using tools like vCenter alarms and
performance graphs. This helps in identifying when datastores are approaching their
capacity.
 Thin Provisioning Alerts: Set up alerts to notify when VM disk files (VMDKs) are
approaching their logical limits.
 Regularly Consolidate Snapshots: Excessive or old snapshots can consume storage
rapidly. They should be consolidated and managed effectively.
 Storage DRS: Utilize Storage DRS to balance storage utilization across datastores,
ensuring optimal performance and space usage.
 Educate and Collaborate: Work closely with other teams (like application owners) to
understand their storage needs and educate them on the implications of over-
provisioning.
By being proactive and leveraging vSphere's in-built tools, one can maximize the benefits of
over-provisioning while minimizing its risks.

25 - How do you ensure secure communication between VMs in different networks within
vSphere?
Answer:
To ensure secure communication between VMs located on different networks within vSphere:
 Network Segmentation: Utilize VLANs and separate port groups on virtual switches to
segregate network traffic based on function or sensitivity.
 VMware NSX: Deploy NSX to implement micro-segmentation, ensuring fine-grained
security controls even for VMs within the same network segment.
 Firewalls: Implement distributed firewalls available with NSX to control east-west traffic
between VMs. Define and enforce granular policies based on VM attributes or user
identity.
 Encryption: Use VM encryption, introduced in vSphere 6.5, to ensure data-at-rest
encryption. For data-in-transit encryption, consider solutions like IPsec or SSL VPNs.
 Regular Audits: Periodically review and audit network configurations, firewall rules, and
access controls to ensure they align with security best practices and organizational
policies.
Combining these measures ensures that even if VMs are on different networks or even different
data centers, their communication remains secure and compliant with industry standards.

3 Crucial Tips for Your VMware Interview

Understand the Fundamentals and Beyond:
o Depth Over Breadth: While it's essential to have a broad understanding of VMware
products and services, it's equally crucial to have an in-depth knowledge of specific areas,
 especially those relevant to the job role you're interviewing for. For instance, if the role
focuses on VMware NSX, ensure you not only understand its features but also real-world
use cases, best practices, and common challenges.
o Stay Updated: VMware, like other tech industries, is continually evolving. Make sure
you're up-to-date with the latest VMware releases, features, and best practices. This
shows your commitment to staying current in your field.
Relate to Real-world Scenarios:
o Experience Speaks Volumes: Interviewers often appreciate when candidates can relate
questions to their own experiences. When asked about a particular challenge or concept,
relate it to an actual situation you've encountered, how you approached it, and the
results.
o Think Holistically: Often, VMware environments don't operate in isolation. They interact
with storage solutions, network infrastructure, and other technologies. Demonstrating an
understanding of how VMware integrates with other tech components can be a strong
asset.
Communication and Soft Skills:
o Explain Complex Concepts Simply: VMware topics can be intricate. The ability to explain
complex ideas in simple, understandable terms is invaluable. This not only showcases
your depth of understanding but also demonstrates that you can effectively communicate
with team members who might not have your level of expertise.
o Ask Questions: Interviews are a two-way street. Asking thoughtful questions about the
company's VMware environment, their challenges, and their future plans can show your
genuine interest in the role and provide insights that can help you tailor your responses.
Remember, while technical expertise is essential, interviewers also look for candidates who show
initiative, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work well in teams. Tailoring your preparation
to combine both technical depth and interpersonal skills will set you on the path to a successful
VMware interview.