VMware Private Cloud Computing with vCloud Director

Book excerpt: It's All About Delivering Service with vCloud Director Empowered by virtualization, companies are not just moving into the cloud, they're moving into private clouds for greater security, flexibility, and cost savings. However, this move involves more than just infrastructure. It also represents a different business model and a new way to provide services. In this detailed book, VMware vExpert Simon Gallagher makes sense of private cloud computing for IT administrators. From basic cloud theory and strategies for adoption to practical implementation, he covers all the issues. You'll learn how to build a private cloud and deliver it as a service using VMware vCloud Director 5.1. Consider what it takes to transition to the cloud, including the business, technical, and operational issues Get familiar with the essential tools—the vCloud Director 5.1 suite Understand the delivery model of infrastructure-as-a-service Define a service catalog, including determining how to track and allocate costs and design for service levels Measure the impact of a private cloud on your legacy applications and infrastructure Implement efficient operations—learn how to apply automation, set up backup and restore, and maintain HA Deliver an end-to-end solution to an end user with a fully managed guest Foreword by Joe Baguley, Chief Technologist, EMEA, VMware