vSphere 4.0 Quick Start Guide

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 in Virtualization by slowe | 6 comments

It’s funny how ideas evolve. Months ago, the idea of a “super blog” came up in a series of Twitter conversations. Stephen Foskett (@sfoskett on Twitter) ran with that idea to create Gestalt IT; Duncan Epping (@DuncanYB on Twitter) ran with that idea to create vSphere 4.0 Quick Start Guide: Shortcuts down the path of Virtualization.

I didn’t, unfortunately, get a chance to actually have a look at the QSG (easier to type than “Quick Start Guide”) until this past week. Some preview copies were given away at VMworld 2009 in San Francisco, but I didn’t manage to get a copy. After having some time to review it briefly this past week—I still haven’t read the entire book cover-to-cover—I must say that I am impressed.

What I’ve seen of the book is thorough, detailed, and takes a “common sense” approach to providing how-to information on VMware vSphere. In this respect, it’s a lot like my second book, VMware vSphere 4 Administration Instant Reference, which I co-wrote with Jase McCarty and Matthew Johnson and which will be officially released later this month (pre-orders available on Amazon right now). One thing that I do like about the QSG is the integration of PowerCLI at every stage. This makes it super-easy for aspiring PowerCLI gurus to learn their way around the cmdlets and how to put them together. It’s an idea I wish I’d thought of doing! Overall, given the breadth of coverage and the detail provided, the QSG does a great job.

If you’re looking for a how-to guide on VMware vSphere, buy both my book and the QSG for the most extensive coverage. Both books—mine or the QSG—provide excellent coverage on their own; the QSG certainly excels in the practical application of PowerCLI to the administration tasks. Either would be a great choice. To Duncan, Thomas, Dave, Stuart, Alan, and Bernie: great work, guys!

Here are links to both books on Amazon.com:

vSphere 4.0 Quick Start Guide: Shortcuts down the path of Virtualization

VMware vSphere 4 Administration Instant Reference

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  1. Alan Renouf’s avatar

    Alan Renouf on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:55 am

    Thanks for the review, Im glad you liked the PowerCLI references throughout !

  3. Paul’s avatar

    Paul on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:04 am

    Hi Scott,
    Very nice comments about the QSG. I often struggle with purchasing technology books because the technology changes very quickly and makes the book a bit out of date. However, you pointed out that the QSG has a great reference for the PowerCLI – that alone would persuade me to purchase the QSG. (I already pre-ordered yours, btw.)

    In your opinion, would you consider this book to be for the beginner, intermediate, or advanced user?

    Thanks!
    Paul

  4. slowe’s avatar

    slowe on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Paul,

    I’d say the QSG is probably for the intermediate user—the book seems to assume some basic knowledge of the product.

  5. Duncan’s avatar

    Duncan on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    Thanks for the compliments Scott! We really value your opinion as a best selling author!