VM /ETC

Posts Tagged ‘training’

David Davis has done it again! A new vSphere Troubleshooting video training course from Train Signal has been released. According to Davis, the course took 3 months to create, and it’s full of 30 videos with almost 14 hours of content. Like all Train Signal training, it’s available via streaming online video (iPad compatible) and in the DVD offline format.

Davis explained more about the video training in an email I received:

In this course, I educate viewers on how to troubleshoot vSphere networking, storage, management processes (and much more), from the GUI but especially from the CLI.

The new vSphere Troubleshooting course will be part of an upcoming VCAP-DCA training package so I have covered all topics related to troubleshooting on the DCA blueprint. Even if viewers aren’t interested in the VCAP-DCA certification, I designed the course so that it is an excellent resource to learn how to solve virtual infrastructure trouble.

I was honored that Mike Laverick agreed to be the tech editor for the course.

Go to the vSphere Troubleshooting course product page where you can see the entire course outline.

Check out the following sample videos from the new training, and then be sure to get a full copy for your own library.

Read the rest of this entry »

Image of Train Signal

If you did not already know about Train Signal and their video training series then I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you have been missing out. If you read this blog or listen to the VIRTUMANIA podcast then surely you’re in the know. Train Signal is a long time sponsor here at VM /ETC (as well as at most all of the popular v12n blogs), a friend to and guest of the podcast, a returning sponsor of the VMUnderground VMWorld Warm Up Party, and always highly visible in the community with free video give aways at VMUGs, conferences and events.

I do not just blog about Train Signal because of business, however. I possess several of their videos and know several of the instructors. Train Signal is well worth the investment whether for one individual or an entire staff.

With the recent release of the vSphere Pro Series Vol 2 containing instruction provided by vExperts and recent VIRTUMANIA guests David Davis, Hal Rottenberg, Rick Scherer, Eric Siebert, and Sean Clark (Hey Rick, I got to get you on the show too!) Train Signal keeps adding great content to an already awesome collection for those looking for cost effective, at your own pace virtualization training.

What I find most amazing about Train Signal is the multiple formats available. With DVD, AVI, WMV, MP3, MP4 for iPods/iPads/smartphones, and even PDF you have the flexibility to learn where ever you are and how ever you need. Now, with instant online access via the My Training Portal as well, you don’t even have to wait for the media to be shipped to you! I was recently amazed when I was able to stream videos to my HTC EVO!

Here’s a quick list of the virtualization training series that I feel are well worth checking into. Be sure to check the free videos listed at the end of this post too!

Read the rest of this entry »

TrainSignal, makers of popular computer training DVDs and current sponsor of VM /ETC, is not only a great training resource for admins learning VMware vSphere, but now for a limited time you can get a free Server 2008 R2 training DVD with any other DVD purchase. What may not be obvious from the 2008 R2 DVD title (at least it wasn’t to me!) is that scattered in the 6 hours and 12 2008 R2 videos are episodes on how to configure some of the new Microsoft virtualization and Hyper-V features such as Hyper-V dynamic storage and clustering. This DVD training course also explains using the new Remote Desktop Services for creating personal virtual desktops.

What I personally find great about TrainSignal videos is that the training is provided to you in multiple formats – .mp4 (video) and .mp3 (audio) for portable media players, PDFs, as well as DVD. Upload the portable formats to your favorite media player and learn on the road. Print out the PDFs if that’s a better learning style for you.

If you are used to vExpert David Davis training you on the vSphere videos, then you’ll be glad to know Certified Instructor, Benjamin “Coach” Culbertson (MCT, MCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCDBA, CIW, A+, Net+, MOS) walks you through each 2008 R2 video in the same, easy to follow and learn TrainSignal style.

Check out the rest of this post for the 2008 R2 DVD Course outline and then browse through the many other technology training options from TrainSignal. Make your purchase and get the 2008 R2 DVD for free while the offer lasts! The 2008 R2 DVD is normally a $297 value. 

Read the rest of this entry »

David Davis has notified me his new Train Signal vSphere video training course is now available just in time for VMworld 2009, and that VM /ETC readers can save an additional $25 of the normal course price by using the discount code VSPHERE25 when placing an order. This special offer will be available until 09/07/09.

With 18 hours of demonstration videos and vExpert knowledge transfer, Train Signal vSphere training is the perfect alternative to the official VMware courses. Unlike a course manual, however, you can replay this video series for classroom-like instruction as often as needed. Since the training is available in both portable audio and video formats, you can replay Davis’ instruction in almost any location too.

On the other hand, there’s also plenty of value in these videos for even those that do attend a VMware class. Davis does a great job expanding beyond the normal curriculum by covering third party tools and common virtualization community subjects. Davis provides a quick example video demonstrating the popular topic of running ESXi 4 in VMware Workstation virtual machine.

For those attending VMworld 2009 in San Francisco, Davis and Train Signal will be highly visible. Train Signal is helping “Put The Cloud In Your Head” by sponsoring the VMworld 2009 Sunday night extravaganza. – After Sunday’s warm up party, Train Signal is also sponsoring the VMworld Golden Gate Bridge 2009 Run. Davis will also be doing a “signing” / meet the author session on Wednesday at the VMworld bookstore from 12  p.m. to -1 p.m.

This post provides a summary of some of the known vSphere training options available now. Starting with a free series of online training sessions and ending with the official VMware courses needed for VCP certification (Yes, the VMware courses are still the only option if you want VCP status), vSphere training is available for all budgets.

Free VMware vSphere 4 QuickStart Series

For those that need some generic how to knowledge transfer and don’t have extra room in the budget for vSphere training, the vSphere QuickStart Series is a great introductory training option.

Although the first session, VMware vSphere 4 QuickStart Series Part 1: Install and Configure ESXi, was delivered yesterday (6.15.09), there are 3 remaining classes in the series.

• VMware vSphere 4 QuickStart Series Part 2: VM Management with VMware vCenter Server – June 22nd 2009 09:00 AM PDT
• VMware vSphere 4 QuickStart Series Part 3: Cluster Setup, Availability and Load Balancing – June 29th 2009 09:00 AM PDT
• VMware vSphere 4 QuickStart Series Part 4: Monitoring, Availability, Back Up and Next Steps – July 6th 2009 09:00 AM PDT

Register for the remaining vSphere 4 QuickStart sessions here.

I sat in on Part 1 yesterday and I was impressed. The VMware instructor delivered a mix of presentation slides with live demos. The emphasis was definitely on informing about what it takes to stand up an ESXi server for use in your data center and covered the ESXi installation, virtual switch creation and network configuration, adding shared storage, and then creating a virtual machine.

For those that missed Part 1, we were told it was recorded would be available around 48 hrs from the end of the class.

VMware vSphere VCP4 Training
According to Scott Vessey’s VMware Training and Certification Blog, the first vSphere Install Configure Manage courses are being delivered this month (June). Vessey’s post vSphere Courses are Here! explains:

Read the rest of this entry »

Vizioncore, makers of virtualization products such as vRanger, vReplicator, vConverter, vOptimizer, and vCharter Pro, has made available free online training materials for all of it’s products. Via the vZone page on the Vizioncore website, any one has access to professional training course notes, lab excercises, and multimedia presentation recordings.

The Vizioncore vZone training content I have seen so far is on par with any multi day course I have taken in the past (for any company’s product training), and the lab manuals have been extremely valuable as a walk through set up and configuration guide. The content can even serve as a means of evaluating Vizioncore’s excellent offerings (updated 04.24.07 most products have a free trial)  to compliment and enhance you virtual infrastructure administration.

Take advantage of these free training resources at Vizioncore vZone – Training.

Whether you are preparing for VCP certification or just need an introduction to VMware virtualization, if you are looking for cost effective VMware ESX, ESXi, and Virtual Infrastructure training check out Train Signal’s videos. In case you did not know already, Train Signal’s specialty is offering computer training to IT Professionals, and their VMware training video series hosted by vExpert David Davis is the perfect learn-at-your-own-pace alternative to the official VMware classes.

Here is some more information from Trainsignal.com: Read the rest of this entry »