ESXi Administration and Automation by Richard Johnson

"ESXi Administration and Automation"

"ESXi Administration and Automation" is an authoritative guide for IT professionals, systems administrators, and architects seeking a comprehensive understanding of VMware ESXi in the modern data center. Starting with a thorough exposition of ESXi's system architecture, core virtualization concepts, and integration within vSphere, the book builds a strong foundation for mastering the management and security of ESXi hosts. Detailed analysis of resource management, security hardening, and deployment models empowers readers to architect robust and secure virtual infrastructures, whether for small enterprise environments or at scale.

The book delves deeply into advanced installation strategies, networking, storage systems, and compute optimization, providing practical guidance and real-world automation techniques. Readers will benefit from step-by-step coverage of unattended deployments, network and storage configuration, monitoring, and automated remediation workflows. Each chapter is enriched with best practices involving PowerCLI, REST APIs, Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform and Ansible, and integration with vRealize and third-party platforms—enabling automation, operational efficiency, and consistency across the virtualization stack.

Beyond technical configuration, "ESXi Administration and Automation" addresses the critical aspects of security, compliance, and threat management, ensuring that environments adhere to regulatory standards and withstand evolving cyber risks. With dedicated sections on monitoring, observability, troubleshooting, and the future of ESXi—including multi-cloud, edge integration, and the rise of AI-driven automation—this book serves as both a practical manual and a forward-looking reference. Whether implementing new ESXi deployments or enhancing existing operations, readers will emerge equipped to drive innovation, reliability, and automation excellence in virtualized enterprise environments.